Pumpkin is a favorite flavor for the fall season and you can see it popping up in lattes, smoothies and pies.  Here are some of our favorite “not just pie” pumpkin recipes.

Start a new fall comfort food tradition in your home with either of these two savory pumpkin recipes.  They’re sure to wow the crowd.

creamy pumpkin alfredo

Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo

If you are looking for a simple, but the hearty base for your fall comfort food with a twist, this decadent Pumpkin Alfredo is for you.

Ingredients:

12 ounces of fettuccine or pasta of your choice

4 tablespoons of butter

6 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup pumpkin puree

2.5 cups of heavy whipping cream

¾  cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Optional: Roasted pumpkin seeds or walnuts for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Reserve one cup of cooking liquid from pan to thin sauce later, if needed.
  2. Heat pan to medium heat and add butter and garlic. Sauté garlic until fragrant and soft. Add in pumpkin puree and heavy whipping cream. Simmer until slightly thickened. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir to mix.
  3. Toss pasta in sauce and use reserved liquid to thin as needed. Use additional Parmesan cheese to season and garnish to taste.  Top with seeds or nuts, serve immediately.

Suggestion and Tips:

  1. Add in fresh sage or rosemary with garlic to take this recipe to the next level! Pull out these fresh flavor houses before you add pumpkin and heavy cream.
  2. Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds or your favorite nut for a lively layer of flavor and crunch.
  3. The longer this dish sits, the more the sauce will thicken. Add water or reserved cooking liquid to thin it to the consistency you prefer.

roasted garlic aand rosemary hummus

Roasted Garlic aand Rosemary Pumpkin Hummus

This seasonal hummus combo is delicious and nutritious. It’s also easy to make for a houseful of afternoon guests or as an appetizer for a big Sunday meal.

Ingredients:

1-2 cloves roasted garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

⅔ cup pumpkin puree

1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

½ teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary (or more to taste)

Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Puree all ingredients except rosemary in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add oil or water as needed. Stir in rosemary.
  2. Serve with warm pita bread, apple slices, crackers, carrots, roasted veggies, or your favorite dippable bite.

Suggestion and Tips:

  1. If you don’t have roasted garlic, you can simmer peeled cloves in small pan with olive oil for 5-10 minutes over low to medium heat.

(Original recipe taken from: https://pinchofyum.com/roasted-garlic-rosemary-pumpkin-hummus)

Want something sweet, but not quite a pie?  Try these delicious pumpkin alternates:  Pumpkin Coffee Creamer or Pumpkin French Toast!

Homemade Pumpkin Coffee Creamer

If you know someone who loves pumpkin flavors in her coffee, then here is a wonderful recipe that easily doubles as a homemade gift.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk

2 Tablespoons of pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

0.5 -1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, adjust for your own taste

1-2 cinnamon sticks

Instructions:

  1. Warm a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together heavy cream, pumpkin, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Add cinnamon sticks and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to boil, whisking occasionally, for 1 minute, then remove from heat and let creamer simmer and rest in pan for 5 minutes before using.
  2. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.

Suggestion and Tips:

  1. Add sugar to your coffee if that is how you take your coffee. Take it up a notch with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top too!
  2. You can create your own pumpkin pie spice by blending a pinch of ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground allspice.  Yum!

(Original recipe from: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2015/09/14/homemade-pumpkin-coffee-creamer/)

Pumpkin french toast with berries aand maple syrup for breakfast

Pumpkin Bread French Toast

Step up your fall breakfast game with this pumpkin spin on French toast that your family will be asking for all season.

Ingredients:

Slices of day-old pumpkin bread, cut into slices

3 eggs

½ cup whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

butter, syrup

toppings of your choice

Instructions:

  1. Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon together.
  2. Heat nonstick skillet over medium high heat, spray with cooking spray or add a little butter.
  3. Dip each piece of pumpkin bread in mixture and soak for 10-20 seconds.
  4. Place slices in hot skillet and brown on each side. Serve when both sides are golden brown and crispy. Centers will still be moist and soft.
  5. Top with butter, maple syrup, and chopped pecans, or fresh toppings of your choice.

What is your favorite pumpkin fall recipe?

Try one of these unique recipes or upload photos of your own, find us on Facebook or Instagram @AmericanDreamCakes.  We want to see your recipe pics. See you there!