While I hope I’ve convinced you that pumpkin can be enjoyed in infinite savory ways, the ways many us are most familiar with, and our first introductions to this squash, are generally via dessert. Pumpkin’s inherent sweetness plays beautifully with the season’s warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg (and pumpkin spice) and is brought out further by complex sugars like maple syrup and honey. Of course, pumpkin pie is included—not that you needed another pumpkin pie recipe, but because it would seem sacrilegious to do without one in this cookbook—and is up there with my top picks for this chapter’s tastiest treats (it’s a classic for a reason!). And if I were to continue to play favorites, the pumpkin cheesecake is my personal top pick because firstly, I am human, and secondly, it’s cheesecake. Beyond pie and cheesecake, you’re spoiled for choice; baked donuts, cookies, creamy treats, chocolaty bites, and more, for any hankering. Here’s to pumpkin dessert stalwarts and new-classics; may they add a touch of special occasion to any special occasion, or the everyday.
PUMPKIN SEED OIL SHORTBREAD JAM SQUARES
COOKIES OF PLENTY WITH CHOCOLATE, PUMPKIN, CRANBERRIES, AND PUMPKIN SEEDS
CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN SEED BUTTER CUPS
GINGERBREAD PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH PECAN OAT CRUST
BROWN BUTTER AND SAFFRON WHOLE WHEAT PUMPKIN CUSTARD CAKE
STICKY TOFFEE PUMPKIN SPICE PECAN TRUFFLES
PUMPKIN SPICE RUGELACH WITH CHESTNUT JAM
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN BUTTER POPTARTS
PUMPKIN CARDAMOM DONUTS WITH CHAI GLAZE
SPELT PUMPKIN SPICE GINGERBREAD FOREST ANIMAL COOKIES
CRANBERRY-PUMPKIN CLAFOUTIS WITH OAT FLOUR
SALTED HONEY PUMPKIN CRÈME BRÜLÉE