Seasonal Ingredients

what to do with leftover pumpkin

Thanksgiving has come and gone and, if you’re anything like me, you still have about five cans of pumpkin stashed in your pantry. And, if you don’t, no worries–it’s on mega sale right now at pretty much every grocery store around.

There’s a chance you might be so sick of the stuff you want to hurl it across the kitchen, but the way I see it, we’ll all be craving pumpkin in July so we better eat it while we can now.

Right?

Right.

So…what should you do with leftover pumpkin? Besides stashing cans for mid-July cravings, of course.

Well, you could bake a Bohemian wedding cake! It’s probably my very favorite cake to date, and would make stellar holiday cupcakes.

You could also go crazy with some scone-age.

I really heart these and they remind me of my favorite pumpkin scones from the San Francisco farmers market.

Rumor has it, these pancakes are even better made with pumpkin. I’ve been on a pancake kick lately and am going to try that tomorrow, as a matter of fact!

Still hungry? Try replacing the persimmon puree for pumpkin in these big, soft cakey cookies. They have the perfect amount of spice and are a hit with small children with yoga mats.

(true story..I brought them to the studio and the “little pretzels” gobbled them right up. Hearing four year olds with missing teeth pronounce the word persimmon literally melted my heart)

And….when in doubt, these are always a really good idea. Next time I’m going to try an orange cream cheese frosting with them! Or maybe some brown sugar italian buttercream….which is also always a really good idea.

Still hungry?

Try:

Joy’s vegan pumpkin bread

Mara’s hazelnut pumpkin brittle

Maria’s pumpkin nutella snack cake (yes..please)

Spicy green mango’s pumpkin pot pies (these are ADORABLE!)

And finally, Jessica’s healthier pumpkin cupcakes…because we could always use a healthy cupcake in our lives, right?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some cans of pumpkin I need to work through.

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  • Mauimandy@The Grains of Paradise
    December 2, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    I’m in love with those cute little pot pies! Adorable!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    December 2, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    As much as I adore pumpkin, I ALWAYS have leftover cans in my fridge. Probably because I hoard the stuff. I tend to find four cans growing mold in the back of my fridge every few weeks. I have issues.

    Thanks for the great ideas and for linking my cupcakes!

  • Barbara
    December 2, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    Don’t forget pumpkin butter! I made my first batch of pumpkin butter earlier this week because I had a ton of extra pumpkin (only it was fresh I needed to use it asap). It is so delicious and perfect on yogurt or oatmeal.

  • Erin (Travel Eat Repeat)
    December 2, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    Bookmarked and favorited! All I can say is… thank you!

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking
    December 2, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    all of these things sound wonderful! I have one can of pumpkin yet. And I don’t want to use it…I just want to dream of all the things I can make from it 🙂

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    December 2, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    I have seen someone make pumpkin pie fill donut holes with all that leftover pumpkin pie. I bet you could do something like that with the pumpkin 🙂

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations
    December 2, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    The pumpkin cupcakes are so adorable! And I’m totally stocked up on TJ’s pumpkin butter. There are five jars in my cupboard so I can enjoy it all year long.

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing
    December 2, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    Those all look phenomenal! I was just thinking about how I was kind of over pumpkin at this point, but you’ve renewed the love 🙂

  • Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes
    December 2, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    cool!I must make that bohemian wedding cake soon! Another great use for pumpkin…last night I topped an artisan pizza with pumpkin+garlic evoo+parmesan and mozerella+basil, oregano, and thyme. a scatterinig of mushrooms…And a dash of nutmeg. Heaven!
    love,
    cathy b. @ brightbakes

  • Sandy
    December 2, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Just thinking that your writing seems more relaxed and happy these days. Maybe you are just feeling settled, in love and happy?

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    December 2, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Omg I JUST got done posting about Xmas Music on my site. I liked it to pumpkin for me. A little is fine, but more is not better. I am one of the (gasp) bloggers who doesnt “love love love” pumpkin everything. So I am kinda glad to see pumpkin go for the year, and am loving that it’s being replaced by gingerbread and peppermint.

    But I do like pumpkin and all…and I really just need to save a few cans back to make your whoopee pies. I have been thinking about those for a week now!

    Love all the links you gave,too!

    🙂

  • Jenn @ LiveWellFitNow
    December 2, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Glorious!!!

  • AllieNic @Frisky Lemon
    December 2, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Pumpkin whoopie pies…yum! I made some a la Martha Stewart for a Halloween party…they were SO good! There’s something about pumpkin and cream cheese together that’s amazing!

    I’m getting sad that pumpkin time is coming to a close…when does it end officially? I feel like pumpkin gets surpassed by gingerbread around this time of year….

  • Alina @ Duty Free Foodie
    December 2, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    The pumpkin rolls definitely look like they may be the best thing in the world. Yummers.

  • Amanda (Eating Up)
    December 2, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    This post was very much needed. Although, I think it may have inspired me to buy MORE pumpkin muhaha.

  • Hilray
    December 2, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    We always seem to have leftover pumpkin so this post is perfect! I have been meaning to make pumpkin scones. Muahaha, yumm.

  • Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
    December 2, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Yeah…..I’m gonna need to make all of these. Thanks for the round-up!

  • Maria
    December 2, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    That pumpkin-nutella cake looks insanely good!
    I would also strongly recommend Pumpkin Spice Pastries. They are as delicious and elegant as they sound (and make using phyllo dough super-easy!) http://anthimeria.com/2009/10/04/pumpkin-spice-pastries/

  • Jen
    December 2, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    I just wanted to say that I think it’s great you link to other’s peoples sites on your blog and you seem to appreciate their “work”. It says a lot about your character and respect for others 🙂

  • Ashley
    December 2, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    I can attest to the deliciouness of Jessica’s healthier pumpkin muffins…as she delivered them to my doorstep while I was visiting family in Ohio. 🙂 I’m pumpkin obsessed.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    December 2, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    Those pot pies are adorable! And you’ve inspired me to add pumpkin to my grocery list.

  • Madeleine @ Stepping to the Bright Side
    December 2, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Thanks for all the ideas!! Even though I’ve already got a nice supply at home, I buy a can of pumpkin every time I’m in Trader Joe’s… I think I’m subconsciously storing up for the post-holiday months. Pumpkin Nutella Snack Cakes? I’ll take it!

  • Kelly
    December 2, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    I went through a pumpkin stage a few years ago. So much that I actually turned orange. Yup…the doctor’s told me to lay off. Now I can’t stand it…I can’t stand to look at it, eat it, or cook with it. I totally burned myself out and 4 years later I am still not craving pumpkin.

  • food obsessed
    December 2, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    Pumpkin is one of my all time favorite ingredients!! I can’t get enough

  • Lisa
    December 2, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Lots of excellent ideas! I have 3 cans of pumpkin in the pantry I need to figure out how to use!

  • Gabrielle at In An Envelope
    December 2, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    I just used up some of my leftover pumpkin in some homemade raviolis last night! Yummy! http://inanenvelope.wordpress.com/2010/12/02/pumpkin-spinach-raviolis-with-brown-butter-pecan-sauce/

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life
    December 2, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    That is a lot of pumpkin recipes in one post and I love it! Totally bookmarking!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss
    December 2, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    Om nomnomnom! This is too good to be true- pumpkin heaven!

  • Abby
    December 2, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    And for those of us that aren’t as culinarily (is that a word?) creative, a big bowl of oatmeal made with almond milk, pumpkin, and tahini and/or nut butter. So. Good.

    For some reason I never eat pumpkin in the spring or summer. It’s strictly a cold weather comfort 😉

  • Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner)
    December 2, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Thanks for all the inspiration! I’ve been trying to find some great new pumpkin ideas, and now I have a ton! 😀

  • Camille
    December 2, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    Well now I am just positively starved. Great.

  • stacey-healthylife
    December 2, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    I love pumpkin and those are some good choices.

  • grocery goddess jen
    December 2, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    I actually feel really sad that I don’t have any pumpkin right now 🙁

  • Christine (The Raw Project)
    December 2, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    Great post, another one of my faves is pumpkin chia seed pudding.

  • Maria
    December 2, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    I never get sick of pumpkin. Great recipe roundup and thanks for including my Nutella snack cake:)

  • Lacey @ Lake Life
    December 2, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    I wanted to use my leftover pumpkin in a savory dish so I made Ashley’s Pumpkin Chili!
    http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2010/10/new-and-improved-pumpkin-chili-recipe.html
    I used garbanzo and black beans instead of kidney and added ground angus beef and a few squirts of Sriracha to mine. The smoked paprika is great in this!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    December 2, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    I’m going to be on my pumpkin kick for at LEAST 3 more months.

  • Karla
    December 2, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    I just did a post on leftover pumpkin! I went the savory route and made pumpkin pizza and pumpkin biscuits!

  • sherri
    December 2, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    speaking of pancake kick, have you tried eggnog pancakes? they’re my new seasonal favorite. especially when served with fresh cranberry/orange compote. holy, yum!

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In
    December 2, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    Flipping through TV channels…Little House On The Prarie is on…Thought Of You

  • Lauren @ Crave. Indulge. Satisfy.
    December 2, 2010 at 5:10 pm

    There can never be too much pumpkin as far as I’m concerned. I actually bought 12 cans of it yesterday for 25 cents each at Walmart…I’m stocked up for awhile now! All your pumpkin recipes look yummy, I might need to try those pancakes soon!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
    December 2, 2010 at 5:11 pm

    I could eat pumpkin for breakfast, lunch, dinner. I know I’ll get sick of it eventually, but for now I’m getting my fill!!

    All of your recipes sound fab! I’m loving the whoopie pies. 😀

  • kate
    December 2, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    Although I will admit that Im a tad bit tired of pumpkin, Im still stocking up the cupboard for a few months down the road!

  • sallyanne
    December 2, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    soooo, I just made your pumpkin whoopie pies 🙂 but i noticed on one of your comments you said they don’t freeze well, and that they should be eaten the same day… well, i made them for tomorrow. How would you store them till then? room temp or fridge? any advice would be awesome. 🙂 thanks

    • jenna
      December 3, 2010 at 1:48 pm

      Tupperware–not freezer or fridge. They’ll be fine, just might be a little “gummy” on the bottom. THey will still taste great though!

  • Amber K
    December 2, 2010 at 6:44 pm

    Ummmm… YUM!

  • dana @ my little celebration
    December 2, 2010 at 6:50 pm

    Joy’s vegan pumpkin bread is in the oven and it smells delicious! Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Blog is the New Black
    December 2, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    My mom used to make those pumpkin rolls every thanksgiving- memories!

  • Kris
    December 2, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    I don’t think of pumpkin as a fall/winter, or seasonal food item, even though I live in FL. I’m hoarding it for all the months I can’t find it and people are selling it on ebay. I’ll keep my pantry stocked, and enjoy it all year long.

  • salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
    December 2, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    I am making pumpkin pancakes this weekend!! I cannot wait!!

  • maria
    December 2, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    Thanks for this! I have a can in my fridge right now that needs to be used ASAP!

  • Lauren at KeepItSweet
    December 3, 2010 at 2:10 am

    i can never get enough pumpkin dessert in my life… and i do have several cans left from fall baking!

  • Meghan
    December 3, 2010 at 4:50 am

    Great ideas! How long would you bake the bohemian wedding cupcakes for? I want to try that for an upcoming holiday party!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
    December 3, 2010 at 5:03 am

    Love all the great ideas! I don’t think I could ever get sick of pumpkin though. Even after a night of gorging on pumpkin pie, I still want pumpkin oatmeal the next morning. 😛

  • Jenn from Much to My Delight
    December 3, 2010 at 6:30 am

    These sound like fantastic ideas! You could also mix 2 tbsp with a cup of milk, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and a jigger of espresso for the poor man’s version of a pumpkin spice latte. That’s how I use up the last bits!

    • jenna
      December 3, 2010 at 1:46 pm

      yum!!

  • Kim
    December 4, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    That Bohemian wedding cake looks amazing! I just might try that cupcake idea out. Also, love the pot pies. Adorable. I can’t believe I didn’t see them before.

    I have one can of pumpkin left… now to choose which recipe!

  • Val
    December 5, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    I always have a supply of pumpkin on hand. When I was low-carbing it I would take plain pumpkin, add some stevia and pumpkin spices and a dollop of whipped cream for a quick, yummy, healthy snack. Not sure why I gave that up… Time to revive that dessert. Love pumpkin pancakes, cookies and bread too.

  • Kelly
    October 31, 2012 at 7:21 am

    Pumpkin smoothies are also easy and delicious! http://thingsthatareawesome.com/2012/10/31/cest-lhalloween/