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Grab a can of pumpkin and use this list to find the best pumpkin desserts to make this fall season. Whether you’re using homemade pumpkin puree for a classic pumpkin pie or pumpkin pie spice for a delicious cookie, you’ll find delicious and easy pumpkin desserts for any craving.
Table of Contents
When you’re craving pumpkin recipes, wouldn’t it be nice to go to one place to know you’ll find the best pumpkin recipes out there? The tried and true ones from the best bloggers, with lots of delicious reviews. We did the work for you and here are our favorite pumpkin dessert recipes that I know you’ll love too.
Pumpkin is one of the best things to come with the seasons changing. This time of year means cozy sweaters, a mug of dairy-free hot chocolate, and pumpkin season. If you’re searching for the perfect ending to Thanksgiving dinner, you’re in the right place to find the perfect fall dessert.
What to Make Out of Pumpkin
Pumpkin is one of those ingredients that’s versatile because it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Mix it with warm spices and maple syrup for pumpkin cinnamon rolls or turn it into turkey pumpkin chili. It’s also a great swap in baking for eggs and makes great drinks like iced pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin spice white russian!
What Flavors Go with Pumpkin?
I love to use our Flavor Bible to see what ingredients go well with each other. Here’s a list of what pairs well with pumpkin!
- Warm spices: allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg
- Butter, cream, and vanilla
- Herbs: sage and thyme
- Cheese: especially Gruyere and parmesan
- Sugar: especially brown sugar and maple syrup
Pumpkin Puree vs Pumpkin Pie Filling
Pumpkin puree: this is a fresh pumpkin that’s been cooked through roasting, steaming, boiling, etc., and mashed or blended into a smooth puree. It’s always in the baking aisle and can easily be used in sweet and savory recipes and is most commonly used in pumpkin recipes (like the ones on this list).
Pumpkin pie filling: this is a can of pumpkin that’s already been mixed with sugar and spices. It’s a pre-made pumpkin mixture, so it’s great to use for pumpkin pie if you’re short on time.
Homemade Pumpkin Puree
- Cut a pie pumpkin (sugar pumpkin) in half and scoop out the seedy insides with a spoon.
- Rub the flesh side of the pumpkin with butter or olive oil.
- Place the pumpkin flesh-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast at 375°F for about 50 minutes.
- Carefully peel the skin off and place the fresh pumpkin in a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth, 2-3 minutes.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
The best pumpkin dessert recipes call for some sort of pumpkin pie spice or blend of spices. You can purchase pre-made pumpkin pie spice (our usual go-to), but you can quickly make your own too. Make this big batch and store it in a little jar to make the best fall recipes:
- 3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon EACH: ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground allspice
25+ Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
This list of amazing recipes is sorted by the type of dessert. Jump down to your desired section of cakes, cookies, pies or sweets depending on what you’re craving. We’ve also got a list of healthy pumpkin desserts at the bottom of this post.
Soft Pumpkin Cookies
These pumpkin cookies are thick and cakey, with tons of pumpkin spice flavor, and a layer of cream cheese frosting. They're an easy cookie dough, made in one bowl, that you don't have to chill. My best is advice is to make a double-batch.
Pumpkin Pie Bars with Gingersnap Crust
These pumpkin pie bars are an easy and crowd-pleasing twist on traditional pumpkin pie. The include everyone's favorite pumpkin pie filling with a buttery crust. We focused on a fun twist using gingersnaps in the crust with cozy flavors to perfectly complement the spices in the creamy pumpkin filling.
Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cobbler
What would happen if you took all of the flavors of a pumpkin cobbler and stuffed them into a warm, gooey Snickerdoodle Cookie? Find out how these two mashup!
Pumpkin Pecan Bars
These pumpkin pecan bars will be the thanksgiving dessert everyone will love! A thick and buttery shortbread crust topped with a pumpkin pecan toffee layer is the most delicious fall treat.
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
These soft and gooey pumpkin cinnamon rolls are full of cozy spices and topped with a maple cream cheese frosting. The dough is so extra soft and the pumpkin spice swirled inside makes them the best cinnamon rolls for fall.
Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
These pumpkin streusel muffins are light and moist, filled with cozy pumpkin pie spices, and topped with a buttery streusel topping. The maple brown butter drizzle makes them the trifecta of yummy. They're the perfect fall treat!
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Donuts
Old fashioned donuts are the best! They’re cake like, filled with pumpkin spice and melt in your mouth. The sour cream
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies
The most soft and gooey pumpkin cookies you will ever have! These fall cookies stay soft for days and are full three types of pumpkin spice: real pumpkin, pumpkin pudding mix, and pumpkin pie spice. They aren't one bit cakey thanks to blotting the pumpkin dry.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping [Paleo]
Get ready for the best pumpkin coffee cake you’ve ever had! This healthy version is topped with a thick layer
Cinnamon Swirl Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
This recipe is wholesome, delicious, and perfect for fall. Enjoy this easy, moist pumpkin bread recipe with a surprise cinnamon swirl inside.
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
These gluten free pumpkin muffins are filled with pumpkin pure, fall spices and chocolate chips. Enjoy a delicious muffin in the morning this fall without gluten!
Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake
Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are an easy, healthy Thanksgiving recipe you will love! If you need gluten free and grain free dessert recipes, this one’s for you! It’s the best no bake and raw pumpkin dessert.
Paleo Pumpkin Bars
Paleo pumpkin bars filled with pumpkin and spice! These little squares of heaven taste just like pumpkin pie.
Dairy Free Pumpkin Pie (Gluten Free)
Make this super simple dairy-free pumpkin pie for the best end to your Thanksgiving meal. The pumpkin filling is so thick and creamy and the buttery pie crust turns out perfectly every time.
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Bourbon Pumpkin Pie
Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
No Bake Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie Pops
Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Chewy Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin Roll
Classic Pumpkin Cake
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Mousse
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Pumpkin Delight (Lush)
Pumpkin Scones
Bakery Style Pumpkin Muffins
If you’re looking for more healthy pumpkin desserts, check out our list of paleo pumpkin recipes to find a few more options. You can also take a look at all of our pumpkin recipes for recipes like oatmeal and pancakes.
You can also browse all of our pumpkin recipes to find more pumpkin breakfast recipes and savory pumpkin meals.