10 Pumpkin Treats for People Who Hate Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie is an essential part of a Thanksgiving meal. But not for my family.

My husband and kids hate pumpkin pie. While I like it, I can’t eat an entire pumpkin pie on my own before it goes bad. My CSA share gives me a pumpkin every year in November, so I have come up with some alternatives to pumpkin pie. Roasted, pureed pumpkin can be used in place of canned pumpkin in any recipe.

Here are some of my delicious pumpkin treats for my favorite pie haters.

Maple Pumpkin Bread

I love making pumpkin bread to take along to family meals because it’s so easy to transport. Also, I know that my carb-loving kids will eat just about any sweet bread. Claire gives two versions of her maple pumpkin bread recipe. She provides the original version and a modified version that allows young children to help make the bread. This is a great activity for school vacation week in November.

Pumpkin-Brownie Swirl Pie

This is the dessert I make for Thanksgiving every year. (Actually, I usually make it several times in the fall every year.) The recipe takes a little effort, but it’s worth it. Even my pumpkin pie hating family loves this pumpkin-brownie swirl pie. It’s marvelous. I am so glad I stumbled across this recipe in Food Network Magazine!

Carrot Pumpkin Cake

This cake takes some time and effort, but it is well worth it. Everyone in my house likes carrot cake and I enjoy sneaking vegetables into my desserts. Plus, it has cream cheese frosting, which is always wonderful. Chelsea’s Messy Apron really knocked it out of the park with this recipe for carrot pumpkin cake. It’s festive and delicious. Mmmmm!

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust and Caramel Sauce

The name of this recipe says it all. Once Upon a Chef’s pumpkin cheesecake recipe amps it up a notch with the gingersnap crust. Besides, I would gladly eat anything covered in caramel sauce. This dessert will look elegant on any Thanksgiving table.

Old-Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Do you have a class party or a bake sale coming up? Make Nestle’s soft pumpkin cookies. They come together quickly for those last minute needs. The recipe is also simple enough that young children can help make these cookies and older children can do make them on their own. These pumpkin treats add a taste of fall without taking up hours of your precious time.

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin muffins are a versatile treat. If you get up early in the morning, they make a great breakfast. If you prefer to sleep in instead, they make great snacks or additions to lunch or dinner. Tasha’s recipe for cinnamon pumpkin muffins is easy to follow and makes delicious muffins. Also, the cinnamon sugar coating makes them feel special for Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Start off your day right with pumpkin pancakes. Both children and adults with love them. Genius Kitchen offers a recipe for pumpkin pancakes that are ready quickly. These pancakes will make your house smell so good that no one will be able to wait to eat them.

Pumpkin Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Mac ‘n’ cheese is fantastic all on its own, but the addition of pumpkin elevates it to a whole new level. I found a simple pumpkin mac ‘n’ cheese recipe in Parents Magazine that keeps things simple for children and other picky eaters. This mac ‘n’ cheese also makes a great Thanksgiving main dish for any vegetarians in your family.

Orecchiette with Pancetta, Pumpkin and Broccoli Rabe

This is a pasta dish grownups will appreciate. The green and orange colors in this dish look so festive. I like that this dish also incorporates pumpkin seeds. Waste not, want not! Anne Burrell’s recipe for orecchiette with pancetta, pumpkin and broccoli rabe tastes amazing. For vegetarians, simply leave out the pancetta.

Pupkin Biscuits

No, that wasn’t a typo. These pumpkin treats are for your dogs! Rachael Ray loves dogs, so she didn’t leave them out of the Thanksgiving festivities. Her recipe for pupkin biscuits is simple and only requires a few ingredients. These dog biscuits are a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin puree. Also, as the only non-picky eater in my family, my dog is sure to eat these treats right up.

What are your favorite pumpkin treats?