Sorry. Not sorry. Really, really not sorry. I like pumpkin. There, I said it. Again. My October mantra.
I don't tend to eat pumpkin, or even use it in cooking or baking for most of the year. I'm not someone who pulls out pumpkin recipes, or puts on my pumpkin recipe development thinking cap in August. But come October, the leaves are turning, the air is crisping, it's been a year since I've made anything pumpkin, and I am ready.
Out come the pumpkin recipes from years past. I'm picking and choosing and making decisions as to which ones to cook and bake this year.
Some of those decisions are actually long ago decided, baked into the October cake, so to speak. There will be Harvest Soup and Peanut Butter Pepita Muffins for dinner on Halloween night. Pumpkin Pie Hot Apple Cider is a must for a cold October weekend sitting by the fire.
But others, well, let me just say that it was so much easier when I had a house full of kids. I could make ALL of the pumpkin desserts, and never worry about making more than can be consumed. Because kids, if there's one thing we all know they can do, it's consume.
This year, like the past few, I have no kids around. Some of the recipes will make their appearance next month. There will be Cinnamon Cranraisin Pumpkin Bread in the bread basket on my Thanksgiving table (and an extra loaf for PurDude to take back to Colorado with him). And, with PurDude home, there will have to be THE Best Pumpkin Pie or Espresso Pumpkin Pie for dessert (wonder which one he'll choose).
But for now, I'll have to lay out all the recipes and make some decisions.
And since this is my first October post this year, I'm officially calling it pumpkin season, and I'm ready to share. Some of these recipes have pumpkin in them, some don't use pumpkin per se, but I've used pepitas, and a few just look like pumpkins, especially fun if you have kids around.
Recipe links are below the graphic, click on the link, then go to the bottom of the page it takes you to, you'll find the recipe there. Or you can just pin them to your Pinterest board, I've added links for that too.
So take a look, pick your pumpkin(s). And happy October!
top row:
Espresso Pumpkin Pie: A classic holiday dessert gets an upgrade. Silky pumpkin pie is infused with a coffee flavored boost.
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Pumpkin Boston Cream Poke Cake: A seasonal pumpkin poke cake with a Boston Cream Pie twist.
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Apple Pumpkin S'more Bars: Fall flavors mixed with marshmallows, baked onto a shortbread crust. --> PIN IT
White Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Squares: This moist cake starts with a mix for ease. The cake is pumpkin and spice flavored, with white chocolate chips and a cream cheese frosting.
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bottom row:
Whipped Pumpkin Poke Cake: A moist white cake studded with pumpkin whipped cream. Perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving, easy enough to make any day.
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Pumpkin Pecan Crostata: A flaky tart with a creamy pumpkin filling and crunchy pecans. Don't forget this one for Thanksgiving, too.
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Holiday Trifle: Pumpkin Bread, Eggnog, and gingersnap cookies, this dessert is holiday flavors in a bowl.
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THE Best Pumpkin Pie: Our family's tried and true favorite classic pumpkin pie recipe ever!
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Vegetable Rotini with Chicken in Pumpkin Cream Sauce: Chicken and pasta tossed in a creamy sauce with a hint of pumpkin.
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Harvest Soup: This thick creamy soup features squash, pumpkin, and apple.
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Pumpkin Pie Hot Apple Cider: Apple, pumpkin, and Fall spices make this warm drink perfect for sitting by the fire on a cold day.
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Cinnamon Cranraisin Pumpkin Bread: Mix and bake, that's how easy this pumpkin bread is.
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bottom row:
Pecan Crusted Chicken with Pumpkin Thyme Sauce: Crunchy pecan crusted chicken served with a savory seasonal sauce.
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Apple Pumpkin Sweet Rolls: A favorite breakfast treat with added seasonal flavors.
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Cinnamon Pumpkin French Toast with Cranberry Sauce: Start your holiday mornings off with Cinnamon Pumpkin Bread coated, pan fried, and topped with maple cranberry syrup.
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Peanut Butter Pepita Muffins: Peanut butter flavored muffins with a hint of honey and the crunch of pepitas. For breakfast or an afternoon snack.
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Pepita Harvest Bars: An interpretation of the classic seven layer bars featuring both pumpkin puree and pumpkin seeds.
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Jack-O-Lantern Treat Bowls: These cute bowls are easy to make, and so much fun to fill and share.
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Maple Pumpkin Snack Crackers: A great fall treat, share them by the campfire, tailgating, or serve them with a fall vegetable soup.
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Fall Harvest Crack: No cooking required, this vanilla and chocolate bark features dried fruits and pumpkin seeds.
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bottom row:
Candy Pumpkins: These fun treats are more a craft project than a recipe. No pumpkin in this recipe, just little bite sized candies shaped like pumpkins.
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Spice Thumbprints with Pumpkin Filling: A Fall interpretation of the classic thumbprint cookies.
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Witch-O-Lanters: No cooking required, just melting, assembling, and, of course, snacking.
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As always, if you make any of my recipes and want to share, stop by my Baking In A Tornado Facebook page and share your pictures.
