Pumpkin Recipes
We all start thinking about pumpkin recipes sometime in late September when the leaves start to change color and the weather gets cooler. And of course, this is when pumpkins start to be in season. Pumpkin recipes start getting popular around Halloween and by Thanksgiving, most of us have already made a bunch of different recipes with pumpkin in them.
But there is no reason why you have to wait for the fall to enjoy this delicious flavor. You can have pumpkin any time of the year since they sell it in cans at the grocery store. You can even find fresh frozen pumpkin puree in the freezer department at some stores. Either way, you do not have to wait until it starts getting cold to have a pumpkin pie or pumpkin spice coffee.
Some of our favorite pumpkin recipes are not even sweet though. For example, you can make savory pumpkin pot roast for dinner with a side of instant pot pumpkin risotto and pumpkin mac and cheese. Then there are pumpkin soups, dips, and drinks to enjoy as well. No matter what you do with your pumpkin, it will be delicious. Here are some of our favorite pumpkin recipes to try.
The Ultimate Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
These rich and creamy pumpkin cheesecake bars are full of pumpkin flavor with layers of both pumpkin and vanilla cheesecake and a buttery graham cracker crust. Then you top it with homemade cinnamon whipped cream for the perfect fall dessert. The recipe may seem long and difficult but it is actually quite easy and most of the ingredients are spices.
For the cheesecake batter, all you need is cream cheese, sugar, eggs, whipping cream, sour cream, and vanilla. The pumpkin layer is just pumpkin puree with some spices. And the cinnamon whipped cream is made with whipping cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Prep time is minimal, and you only have to bake it for about 45 minutes.
Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
If you want a pumpkin dessert even faster, you should try this recipe for instant pot pumpkin cheesecake. It is super light luscious with a burst of pumpkin flavor in each bite. You can make this ahead of time and let it chill overnight for dinner the next day. It would even be great for breakfast!
To make this treat, all you need is a few ingredients and some spices. The crust is easy to make with graham crackers, pecans, butter, and spices. And the batter is made from cream cheese, sugar, eggs, cream, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and spices. You will have to freeze the crust for 30 minutes before filling it and then cook it for 40 minutes before letting it naturally release for 30 minutes.
Classic Pumpkin Pie
You cannot have a Thanksgiving meal without the classic pumpkin pie. The buttery crust and velvety filling make this the perfect pumpkin pie recipe to serve this year. In fact, you can make this any time of the year. You do not have to wait for the holiday season to enjoy a pumpkin pie.
The crust is just a basic flour recipe with butter and ice water and the whipped topping is the same as for the pumpkin cheesecake bars. The pie filling is made with pumpkin puree, butter, sugar, cream, and maple syrup as well as eggs, flour vanilla, and some spices. Top with whipped cream and some candy pumpkins for a festive look.
How to Roast a Pumpkin
Instead of using canned pumpkin puree, why not roast a pumpkin and make your own? Or just roast a pumpkin to eat as a side dish for Thanksgiving dinner. With this easy recipe, you get tender pumpkin with a crispy outside and soft inside. There are only three ingredients in this recipe. It does not get much easier than that! Just get a sugar pumpkin about two to four pounds and some coconut oil and salt.
A sugar pumpkin is not the same kind of pumpkin you would buy to carve a jack-o-lantern. These are also called pie pumpkins and they are much smaller and sweeter than the others. Cutting the gourd is probably the hardest thing to do but it is easy if you have a sharp knife. Then, brush it with oil, sprinkle it with salt, and bake it for 45 to 50 minutes.
