17 Desserts That Use an Entire Can of Pumpkin

pumpkin Bundt cake with frosting drizzle
Photo: Kim

When you open a can of pumpkin puree, you want to use it. All of it. Pumpkin shortage or not, we consider canned pumpkin a precious good. It brings fall flavor to recipes and makes desserts smooth and moist. With these recipes for a whole can of pumpkin, you won't waste a drop.

01 of 17

Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes

closeup of cupcakes with piped cream cheese frosting and candied ginger garnish
with Allspice Cream Cheese Frosting. Dianne

Pumpkin puree and instant butterscotch pudding mix thicken this cupcake's batter. But don't add more liquid. "They looked like blobs of cookie dough when I put them in the oven but formed nicely," reviewer Benjiman says. "They are possibly the best cupcakes I have ever had."

02 of 17

Brown Family's Favorite Pumpkin Pie

Brown Family's Favorite Pumpkin Pie with pumpkin crust design
Noel

This pie averages a five-star rating thanks to its light, custardy filling and walnut streusel topping.

03 of 17

Great Pumpkin Dessert

Great Pumpkin Dessert topped with nuts
Treats N Sweets

This dump cake requires almost no effort. Reviewers have replaced yellow cake mix with spice cake mix and butter pecan cake mix with five-star results. Others replace pecans with walnuts.

04 of 17

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Pumpkin Crumb Cake on a white dish

This crumb cake uses yellow cake mix, too, in the topping as well as the crust. "The pumpkin filling was like a pumpkin pie sandwiched between a slightly salty, buttery crust," reviewer raggie81 says.

05 of 17

Paul's Pumpkin Bars

pumpkin bars with icing on a glass stand
Paula

"Absolutely perfect in texture, meaning super moist and soft. I added 1 tsp. of ginger, because its zing complements pumpkin goods so wonderfully," reviewer Baricat says.

06 of 17

Two Ingredient Pumpkin Cake

Two Ingredient Pumpkin Cake on a glass dish
dubosefamily

You can bake this cake with just two ingredients (!) or find inspiration from reviewers. "I gave this five stars after taking the advice of others to add three eggs," Jolie says. "I also added 1/2 cup of apple sauce, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. When cooled, I topped with cream cheese frosting."

07 of 17

Pumpkin Spice Cookie

pumpkin cookies on a white plate
CookinBug

Another two-ingredient standout, our Pumpkin Spice Cookie recipe can become your canvas for add-ins. Our home cooks love them with pumpkin pie spice, raisins, chopped walnuts, or chocolate chips.

  • Our 15 Most Pumpkin-y Pumpkin Spice Homemade Treats
08 of 17

Pumpkin Cake I

pumpkin Bundt cake with frosting drizzle
Kim

Baking a Bundt cake from scratch takes just 15 minutes of prep time, meaning it's weeknight approved. Take it from reviewer Kris Maas: "I just whipped this cake up in the midst of making dinner and lunches, supervising homework, doing laundry, and it couldn't have been easier!"

09 of 17

Pumpkin Sheet Cake

slice of pumpkin sheet cake on aw hite plate with a flower garnish
OkinawanPrincess

Sometimes, nothing beats a sheet cake. After all, it's one of the easiest desserts to transport to potlucks, parties, or the office. Reviewers agree: It's a crowd-pleaser.

10 of 17

Pumpkin Chocolate Dessert Cake

Pumpkin Chocolate Dessert Cake on a glass cake stand
Laine Barash

Dense, moist, rich, chocolatey, and spicy are some of the words reviewers have used to describe this cake. And the pumpkin flavor tastes subtle enough to please people who don't usually go for the gourd.

11 of 17

Perfect Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Close up of Perfect Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Allrecipes

Recipe creator Kiwi says these Perfect Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars taste best straight out of the fridge after chilling overnight. Meet your new favorite dessert (or breakfast).

12 of 17

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with a Brown Sugar Glaze

two slices of Pumpkin Coffee Cake with a Brown Sugar Glaze on a white dish
lutzflcat

We're partial to coffee cake in the fall when the return of cold mornings calls for hot coffee. And what better flavor for autumn than pumpkin?

13 of 17

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream and a pecan on top

"My family doesn't care for pumpkin pie but loved this smooth creamy version of it," reviewer Sadie says. "Unlike a cheesecake, you don't really taste the cream cheese, but I'm sure that's what makes this pie a cut above the traditional pumpkin pie. It was absolutely delicious, and everyone was disappointed when it was gone."

14 of 17

Pumpkin Tart With Pecan Crust

a slice of gluten-free pumpkin pie on a blue and white plate
Mackenzie Schieck

Reviewers, vegan or not, love this dairy-free recipe for its nutty crust and thick filling. Fresh, grated ginger kicks it up a notch.

15 of 17

Pumpkin Squares

Pumpkin Squares on a white plate with a pumpkin and white mug in the background
Buckwheat Queen

Reviewers pair these fluffy, cake-like bars with some version of cream cheese frosting. Reviewer Buckwheat Queen went with a rum-spiced recipe; our Bourbon Cream Cheese Frosting isn't far off.

16 of 17

Pumpkin Torte II

pumpkin torte with whipped cream and nut topping
chibi chef

Four luscious layers make up this torte: a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, pumpkin filling, and fluffy whipped topping.

17 of 17

Low-Fat Pumpkin Flan

Low-Fat Pumpkin Flan on a white plate with caramel sauce drizzle
Tetya

You'll definitely taste the pumpkin in this smooth, creamy flan. Finish it off with pumpkin seeds for crunch.

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