Pumpkin season is my absolute favorite time to bake. The moment those leaves start to hit the ground, I can't wait to dive into all the cozy pumpkin desserts. I've rounded up all of my favorite pumpkin dessert recipes for you to try, from classic pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to a decadent pumpkin layer cake. Consider this your go-to fall baking playlist!
I'll be honest: when pumpkin season rolls around, my kitchen basically turns into a pumpkin dessert factory! As a professional baker and recipe developer, I look forward to this time of year because pumpkin is one of the most versatile ingredients to bake with. It adds richness to cheesecakes, makes cookies soft and chewy, keeps cakes moist, and pairs beautifully with warm fall spices. It's one of those ingredients that just instantly makes any bake taste like autumn.
But if you've ever searched online for pumpkin desserts, you know there are so many recipes out there (and not all of them are winners). That's why I've pulled together this roundup of my very best pumpkin dessert recipes - the ones I've personally tested, tweaked, and come back to year after year because they really deliver. Inside you'll find everything from classics like pumpkin muffins and cookies, to creative twists like pumpkin crème brûlée and pumpkin curd.
I've also included little tips along the way - from how to get the best flavor and texture from pumpkin puree, to which toppings pair perfectly with pumpkin desserts. So grab a cozy sweater, light a fall candle, and let's bake our way through the best pumpkin dessert recipes of the season.
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Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
You can't think of fall dessert recipes without thinking of pumpkin! These tried and true pumpkin dessert recipes will have your back for the whole holiday season - from Halloween to Thanksgiving, to Christmas!
These spectacular mini desserts are well-deserving of a first mention in this pumpkin recipes roundup. Carve out these adorable Jack-be-littles and fill them with a creamy pumpkin custard - save the pulp for a tasty soup! Use a blowtorch on top for that classic caramelized surface. And what better way to celebrate the season than baking your crème brûlée INSIDE mini pumpkins?!
This recipe is hot off the press and already one of my fall favorites! Learn to make chewy and soft pumpkin cookies that take just minutes to prepare. For extra flair, drizzle some powdered sugar icing or cream cheese glaze over your pumpkin spice cookies, or sandwich them together with a layer of cream cheese frosting.
Impress your guests with a showstopping pumpkin bundt cake - psst, it's a surprisingly easy dessert to make! The cake bakes into a fluffy sponge bursting with real pumpkin flavor, then gets smothered in a rich cream cheese glaze. Perfect for Thanksgiving dessert, or even a cozy breakfast treat.
Pavlova isn't just for summer! With the addition of juicy pumpkin, it becomes a dreamy autumn dessert. The pumpkin spice curd contrasts beautifully with the crunchy yet chewy mallows of meringue, and it's made even tastier with lashings of homemade whipped cream and sprinkles of chopped pecans and chocolate shavings.
You can't beat a velvety slice of cake with a cuppa, and this pumpkin cake is the ultimate fall comfort. It combines pumpkin puree and warm spices with a white and light brown sugar cake batter to make the tastiest sponge. Sandwich the cake layers with a dreamy cream cheese frosting and a hidden layer of my pumpkin curd for a cozy surprise!
If you're after a quick and easy fall cookie, these pumpkin oatmeal cookies are a must. I bake them several times each year, and they always earn rave reviews! The rolled oats bring a gentle crunch to their soft, chewy texture.
This delicious pumpkin spice curd can be used in so many ways to bring cozy autumn flavor to your favorite treats. In my baking, I use it to sandwich cookies, fill cupcakes, layer between cakes, and fill tarts and pies. Or, simply spread it on toast and top your morning Greek yogurt or breakfast pancakes.
These dainty pumpkin-spiced cupcakes are not to be missed. Fill your baking pans with this tender batter full of real pumpkin flavor, and watch it rise into wonderfully moist cupcakes. Top with a swirl of cream cheese buttercream and a dusting of cinnamon.
These soft and gooey cookies are every chocolate lover's dream when it comes to cozy fall treats. The sweetness of the chocolate chips is beautifully balanced by the fresh pumpkin spice flavor. Plus, they're incredibly easy to make!
As you can see from this blog post, I use cream cheese glaze in a LOT of my pumpkin bakes. The tangy flavors pair incredibly with the sweetness of pumpkin spice - enhancing the pumpkin's natural flavors while adding a smooth, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
Forget the deep fryer - all you need to make these yummy pumpkin donuts is your oven and a donut pan! I use the same recipe as my pumpkin cupcakes to make these donuts, making them a healthier alternative to regular fried donuts. They're best served dipped in silky cream cheese glaze and topped with chopped nuts.
When you can't decide between a chewy cookie and a creamy cheesecake, these babies have got you back. To make these heavenly cookies, sandwich two discs of pumpkin cookie dough with rich cheesecake filling and let the magic happen while they bake! I like to top mine with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze and chopped pecans.
Some may say I've saved the best till last! These pumpkin cream cheese muffins incorporate three cozy elements to make the ultimate fall treat: a rich cream cheese filling baked inside a moist, fluffy muffin topped with a crispy streusel crumb.
Tips for Baking with Pumpkin
- Pumpkin Puree - Make sure you use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling has extra sugar and spices already mixed in, which can mess with the end result of your recipe.
- Blot the Pumpkin - Some of these pumpkin dessert recipes use the pumpkin puree as is, but some of them suggest blotting the pumpkin with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This is the key step to making sure you aren't adding too much liquid to your batter or dough.
- Don't Overmix - As pumpkin is such a wet ingredient, it's essential not to overmix your batter, as the moisture can make the desserts dense or cakey.
- Spices - While I have recommended spices in each of these recipes, you can get creative and add whatever blend of spices you like to complement the pumpkin flavor. I am always partial to some ground cinnamon and ground ginger, but cloves and nutmeg also work really well. Or you can just use pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice. Make sure your spices are fresh - if they have been sitting in your cupboard for more than 6 months, they may start to lose their potency.
Pumpkin Dessert FAQ
While you can make your own, fresh pumpkin puree tends to contain a lot more moisture than canned pumpkin puree. It's one of the few times I recommend canned over fresh. If you do make your own, make sure you blot it thoroughly before using to remove as much liquid as possible.
There are so many desserts you can make from pumpkin other than just traditional pumpkin pie! Try some classics like:
- Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Cake
Or some more unique pumpkin desserts like:
- Pumpkin creme brulee
- Pumpkin Pavlova
- Pumpkin Curd
Pumpkin works beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. For extra texture and flavor, add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to your pumpkin bakes, and for an indulgent topping, finish with cream cheese frosting or caramel sauce.
Yes, if you are making your own pumpkin puree, you can cook it, puree it, and then freeze it for up to 12 months. To use it in your baking, let it thaw out completely in the fridge, then drain and blot excess liquid away before using it to make desserts.
What to Pair with Pumpkin Desserts
Practically everything goes with pumpkin - but there are a few extra ingredients or toppings that just make these desserts even more cozy and magical. Cream cheese frosting is an obvious companion for any pumpkin dessert, but my cream cheese glaze is also a winner and takes just minutes to make.
To improve the bakes themselves, try browning the butter for extra toasty flavor, or add some chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. Chocolate also goes surprisingly well with pumpkin, so throw in some chocolate chips or garnish with melted chocolate.
And for serving, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of homemade whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Recommended Ingredients and Equipment
- Pumpkin Puree - Different brands of pumpkin puree can be a bit hit or miss. I always find Libby's Pumpkin Puree to be the most consistent, and it doesn't contain too much moisture.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice - I typically add my own spices individually so I can control the balance and flavor profile of each dessert, but if you want to use a ready-made pumpkin pie spice, I find Simply Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice is my favorite.
- Cookie Scoop - I use these cookie scoops to measure everything from cookies to cupcakes and muffins, to frosting - it ensures everything is the same and even.
- Mini Spatula - This mini spatula from Dreamfarm is perfect for scraping every last drop out of your pumpkin cans. It is small, firm, and can be set down without touching the countertop!
Make Ahead
Most pumpkin recipes actually taste better the next day, once the warm spices and pumpkin flavor have had a chance to meld together!
This is your sign to bring warm, cozy scents of pumpkin spice into your kitchen and whip up some irresistible pumpkin treats. The best part of this job is seeing bakers around the world making my recipes, so be sure to share your thoughts and let me know how your creations turned out!
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