Food Tips

How to Make Pumpkin Puree from Fresh Pumpkins?

How to Make Pumpkin Puree from Fresh Pumpkins?

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Food Tips

How to Make Pumpkin Puree from Fresh Pumpkins?

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Slice off the stem end of the pumpkin 2 inches from the top; scrape out seeds and membranes, reserving seeds for toasting if desired.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to drain, refrigerated, overnight.
  6. 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

Read more:
Image by: James Tse By: Jennifer Bartoli and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jeff Coulson By: Irene Fong and The Test Kitchen

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

Image by: James Tse By: Leah Kuhne and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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
 

By: Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jeff Coulson By: Jennifer Bartoli and The Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jeff Coulson By: Irene Fong and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jeff Coulson By: Irene Fong and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

By: The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Yvonne Duivenvoorden By: Soo Kim and Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Yvonne Duicenvoorden By: Soo Kim and Test Kitchen

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
 

Image by: Donna Griffith By: Amanda Barnier and The Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Ryan Szulc By: Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jodi Pudge By: Jennifer Bartoli and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: James Tse By: Leah Kuhne and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Ryan Brook By: Rheanna and The Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jodi Pudge By: Jennifer Bartoli and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jodi Pudge

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

Image by: Yvonne Duivenvoorden | Food Styling: Clair Stancer | Props Styling: Orksana Slavutych

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
 

Image by: Jodi Pudge By: Jodi Pudge Author: Jennifer Bartoli and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

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

Image by: Jodi Pudge

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

Image by: Yvonne Duivenvoorden

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

Image by: Maya Visnyei

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

Image by: Slashio Photography on Unsplash

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

Image by: Maya Visnyei

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

Image by: Jodi Pudge

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

Image by: Foodivine studio

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

Image by: Foodivine studio

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

Image by: Foodivine studio

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

Image by: Foodivine studio

 

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