Whether for pies, soup, dips, or homemade baby food, make the most of your pumpkin patch by making fresh pumpkin puree.
Pumpkins abound across Canada in the fall, and it always seems a shame to just carve them up, toast some seeds, and send most of the poor pumpkin to the compost bin come November.
If you'd like to make the most of your pumpkins in the kitchen this year, our test kitchen food specialist Amanda Barnier shares expert advice on making your own pumpkin purée – perfect for harvest pumpkin pies, pumpkin cakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin soups and more.
How to make pumpkin purée from fresh pumpkins:
- Choose pumpkins that are free of blemishes and heavy for their size. Store at room temperature for up to a month or refrigerated for up to three months. Sugar pumpkins are best for cooking and baking, and are available October to December.
- Slice off the stem end of the pumpkin 2 inches from the top; scrape out seeds and membranes, reserving seeds for toasting if desired.
- Lightly brush the inside of the pumpkin with oil or butter. Cook on baking sheet at 375ºF (190ºC) until flesh is easily pierced with a knife, about 1-1/2 hours. Cool on rack.
- Scoop flesh into blender or food processor; whirl until smooth. Transfer to a sieve or colander lined with cheesecloth or overlapping coffee filters and set over a bowl.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to drain, refrigerated, overnight.
- Use puree within a few days or freeze for later use.
Use up your fresh pumpkin purée in these recipes:
Pumpkin Cheesecake with White Chocolate Almond Bark
A gingersnap cookie crust, spiced pumpkin cheesecake filling and whipped cream cloud topping make this heavenly fall dessert absolutely irresistible. Even the most devout pumpkin pie purists will be converted!
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Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes For Two
Transform leftover pumpkin puree into a speedy five-ingredient dessert that's sure to become your full-fledged fall obsession.
Get the recipe: No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake For Two
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes For Two
Transform leftover pumpkin puree into a speedy five-ingredient dessert that's sure to become your full-fledged fall obsession.
Get the recipe: No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake For Two
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Praline Tiramisu
This twist on an Italian classic combines lightly spiced layers of creamy mascarpone cheese and citrus-flavored ladyfinger cookies in an everyday baking dish.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Praline Tiramisu
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake with Chocolate Icing
This stunning layer cake will make an extraordinary ending to any Thanksgiving meal.
Get the recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake with Chocolate Icing
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Spiced Pumpkin Pie Squares
Can't decide between cheese cake or pumpkin pie? Treat yourself to the best of both worlds with these fabulous pumpkin cheesecake squares.
Get the recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Pie Squares
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Fresh Pumpkin Pie
This classic pie uses sugar, or pie, pumpkins, which are abundant in the fall.
Get the recipe : Fresh Pumpkin Pie
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Amaretti Mousse
A classic mouse can be fussy to prepare properly, but our no cook method uses a food processor to whip pumpkin, yogurt and cream into a silky-smooth (and foolproof!) treat.
Get the recipe : Pumpkin Amaretti Mousse
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Cheesecake With White Chocolate Almond Bark
A gingersnap cookie crust, spiced pumpkin cheesecake filling and whipped cream cloud topping make this heavenly fall dessert absolutely irresistible.
Get the recipe : Pumpkin Cheesecake With White Chocolate Almond Bark
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Spiced Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
Taking a bite into one of these soft, moist cookies is like eating the top of a pumpkin cupcake.
Get the recipe : Spiced Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Classic Pumpkin Pie with Yogurt Whipped Cream
Draining pumpkin puree maximizes its flavour, eliminates excess water and makes a thick, luxurious filling.
Get the recipe : Classic Pumpkin Pie with Yogurt Whipped Cream
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Sauce
Calling all ginger lovers! This festive cake deliciously covers ginger from every angle, from fresh to ground to the pièce de résistance-attractive crystallized ginger garnish.
Get the recipe : Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Sauce
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Mini Pumpkin Cakes
Pumpkin purée keeps these cute cakes moist and gives them rich flavour.
Get the recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cakes
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Sticky Buns
Gooey sticky buns are perfect for a crowd on a cozy holiday morning.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Sticky Buns
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Loaf
Studded with chocolate chips and crystallized ginger, this moist marbled loaf makes the best fall-flavoured afternoon treat.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Loaf
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Mini Pumpkin Tarts
These single-serving-size pumpkin pies are a fun and easy-to-assemble take on the classic Thanksgiving dessert.
Get the recipe: Mini Pumpkin Tarts
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Pie Granola
The warm, heady spices of pumpkin pie shines through in this crisp, golden granola.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Pie Granola
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Fresh Pumpkin Purée
If you think fall is synonymous with pumpkin pies and spiced lattes, this recipe will be your go-to all season long.
Get the recipe : Fresh Pumpkin Purée
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
Choosing between pie and cheesecake is the eternal dessert dilemma; we've melded the two together for the ultimate fall treat. Use a fork to crimp the crust and skip the time-consuming process of fluting by hand.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Made in an easy muffin method, the harvest flavours in these cupcakes are the base for our creepy Halloween cupcake collection.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Scones with Whipped Brown Butter Icing
A brown butter spread gives flaky spiced pumpkin scones nutty flavour and an extra touch of sweetness.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Scones with Whipped Brown Butter Icing
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin and White Chocolate Bûche de Noël
Adding amaretti cookies to the creamy mascarpone filling gives this rolled cake a welcome crunch.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin and White Chocolate Bûche de Noël
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
The Swarm (Candied Pumpkin Seeds)
This snack is so addictive you may want to double the recipe for a crowd. The raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) crisp up as they cool so don't be concerned if they seem soft when you pull them from the oven.
Get the recipe: The Swarm
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bars
Celebrate the season of pumpkin flavour with our pumpkin cheesecake bars that make the perfect treat to bring to your Thanksgiving festivities.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bars
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin, Orange and Raisin Muffins
Pumpkin and orange are natural go-togethers.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin, Orange and Raisin Muffins
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake
Pumpkin pie spice adds an autumnal flavour to this scrumptious coffee cake.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate
Using a blender to mix the milk and chocolate gives this indulgent drink a lovely frothy texture.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Date Squares
These delectable pumpkin squares are sweetened with dates and spiced with nutmeg for that quintessential fall flavour combo we love!
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Date Squares
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Date Squares
These delectable pumpkin squares are sweetened with dates and spiced with nutmeg for that quintessential fall flavour combo we love!
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Date Squares
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Date Squares
These delectable pumpkin squares are sweetened with dates and spiced with nutmeg for that quintessential fall flavour combo we love!
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Date Squares
Satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings with these sweet recipes
Pumpkin Date Squares
These delectable pumpkin squares are sweetened with dates and spiced with nutmeg for that quintessential fall flavour combo we love!
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Date Squares
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