How To Make Pumpkin Puree What To Make With It

Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Almost any pumpkin recipe you make is going to call for pumpkin puree, so this homemade recipe is a must to take those recipes up a notch. This will really come in handy for all your fall baking, especially when making Halloween desserts and Thanksgiving desserts. You’ll notice in a lot of my pumpkin recipes, I specify using pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling (the latter already has spices added in). This homemade puree is all pumpkin, and it stands in perfectly for canned versions. While you don’t need to make homemade pumpkin puree for every recipe, I definitely recommend it for the best flavor. It will certainly shine through when you make those pumpkin pies! Keep reading for the how-to recipe and lots of ideas on what to make with pumpkin puree.

What you’ll need

This homemade pumpkin puree recipe is simple, so you won’t need much in the way of ingredients (in fact, only one ingredient) or kitchen tools. Here’s what you will need, though.

Food processor or high-powered blender Fine mesh sieve and/or cheesecloth Baking sheet

What kind of pumpkin should I use for making puree?

The best pumpkins to use for this recipe are small, sweet pumpkins. While shopping, they might be called “baking pumpkins”, “sugar pumpkins”, or “pie pumpkins”. The large pumpkins you get at the pumpkin patch are not ideal for this, flavor-wise.

How to Make Pumpkin Puree from Scratch

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

What’s the difference between canned pumpkin, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie filling?

It’s easy to confuse these three ingredients when reading a recipe, but the differences are simple:

Pumpkin puree, as you’ll see in this recipe, is exactly what it sounds like. It’s pumpkin that has been cooked and pureed. Canned pumpkin is also pureed pumpkin, so it’s interchangeable with a homemade version (like what we’re making here). It’s often labeled as Pure Pumpkin to indicate that there are no spices or seasonings added in, and that it’s made solely from pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling is similar, but it already has sugar and spices added to it. This means it’s ready to use to make pumpkin pie and other desserts. It’s sweetened and has things like cinnamon, allspice, and more in it.

Pay attention to which one you’re picking up at the grocery store because it can make a big difference in your recipe. A quick check of the ingredients will make it clear what you’re getting. Generally, this homemade pumpkin puree recipe can be used anytime a recipe calls for canned pumpkin. If needed, you can easily add in spices to turn it into a pumpkin pie filling.

How to Store it

How long does it last in the fridge? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Can you freeze it? Store it in freezer-safe containers, or resealable freezer bags (great for storing flat). It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Now that you know how to make pumpkin puree at home, you can use it to make all of your favorite pumpkin recipes. It’s such a fun thing to make at home, and it’s easier than you think. Happy fall!