3 Best Pumpkin Desserts

Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Saira Farman

From pie to soup to your favorite fall coffee drink, there seems to be no end to the list of delicious dishes you can make with pumpkin. There are so many choices, in fact, that it can be difficult to choose a favorite. So, instead of picking just one, why not try these three best pumpkin recipes? Double-layer pumpkin pie, creamy pumpkin soup, and pumpkin cake with a maple cream cheese topping are a treat during Thanksgiving or any time of the year. You won’t be disappointed!

Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

The mixture of cream cheese and pumpkin combined with a graham cracker crust is why this double-layer pie tops the list of the three best pumpkin recipes. Serve this double-layer pie to your holiday guests, and they will definitely be coming back for a double serving!

To make a double-layer pumpkin pie, you need the following:

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 8 ounces frozen whipped topping (thawed)
• 1 cup milk or cream
• 15 ounces of canned pumpkin
• Two packages of instant vanilla pudding
• One teaspoon cinnamon
• One teaspoon nutmeg
• One tablespoon sugar
• One ready-to-use graham cracker pie crust

Instructions:

1. Beat the softened cream cheese with the sugar and 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Once the mixture is well blended, fold in 4 ounces of the whipped topping.
2. Spread the mixture onto the graham cracker crust.
3. Mix the pudding mixes, the pumpkin, the rest of the milk, and the spices until well blended.
4. Spread on top of the cream cheese mixture in the pie crust.
5. Top with the rest of the whipped topping.
6. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Another one of the best pumpkin recipes to make and serve to your family and friends is creamy pumpkin soup. This warm and savory soup can be ready in just over an hour or simmered all day to enhance the flavors. No matter which way you make it, you’re sure to love the result.

To make pumpkin soup, you need the following:

Ingredients

• 16 ounces of chicken or vegetable broth
• 15 ounces of canned pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup onion, diced
• ¼ cup diced celery
• One teaspoon of dried sage
• One teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Two tablespoons butter
• One tablespoon of brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• I tablespoon cinnamon

Instructions:

1. On the stovetop, melt butter and add the onions and celery. Simmer until just softened.
2. Pour in the broth, canned pumpkin puree, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and sage. Whisk until well blended.
3. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer for at least one hour.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and heat for an additional 5 minutes (or until heated throughout).
5. Stir in the brown sugar and serve.

Pumpkin Cake with Maple and Cream Cheese Frosting

It only seems fitting to finish off the list of 3 best pumpkin recipes with a dessert. When you dig into this pumpkin cake topped with maple and cream cheese frosting, you might declare it is the best pumpkin recipe you have ever tried.

To make this dessert, you will need the following:

Cake Ingredients:

• One ¾ cup of all-purpose flour
• Two teaspoons of baking powder
• One teaspoon of ground ginger
• One teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• One teaspoon allspice
• One teaspoon salt
• One teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup brown sugar
• One large egg
• 15 ounces of canned pumpkin
• ½ cup vegetable oil

Topping Ingredients:

• 2 ounces softened cream cheese
• Two tablespoons of softened butter.
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• Two tablespoons of maple syrup

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Lightly spray or grease an 8×8” baking pan.
• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
• Beat together the eggs, pumpkin, oil, and brown sugar. Pour and scrape into the baking dish.
• Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes (until a toothpick in the center comes out clean).
• Let the cake cool for at least one hour.
• To make the topping, beat cream cheese and butter together. Gradually add the sugar.
• Stir in maple syrup and beat until smooth.
• Spread topping over the cooled cake.

A Quick Overview

1. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are the perfect dessert for any fall or winter occasion. They’re easy to make, require only a few ingredients, and taste absolutely delicious. These bars have a creamy cheesecake layer on top of a spiced pumpkin base, making them a delightful combination of flavors. Top them off with some whipped cream and crushed graham crackers for an extra special touch.
2. Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin pie is a classic dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving and other fall festivities. It’s made with a pumpkin filling that’s sweetened with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, all nestled in a buttery pie crust. The pie is baked until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. Serve it warm with whipped cream or ice cream for a comforting treat that’s sure to please.
3. Pumpkin Bread Pudding Pumpkin bread pudding is a rich and decadent dessert that’s perfect for chilly fall evenings. It’s made with day-old bread, eggs, milk, cream, and pumpkin puree and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. The bread is soaked in the custard mixture, then baked until it’s puffy and golden brown. Serve it warm with a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.

Once you’ve tried them, you will surely agree that these are some of the best pumpkin recipes to add to your collection. The dessert recipes, in particular, are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu. Enjoying them might just become some of your favorite holiday traditions.