Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

I did these for a RS activity and they are really good--they came from Better Homes and Gardens 28 yummy recipes--just in case you can't get enough pumpkin, there's 24 more you could try!

Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin/Cream Cheese Spread

Ingredients

• 1  8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

• 1/2  cup canned pumpkin

• 1/4  cup sugar

• 3/4  teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2  teaspoon vanilla

directions

Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Makes 1-1/2 cups (24, 1-tablespoon servings).

Pumpkin Marmalade

ingredients

• 2  cups cooked fresh pumpkin puree or one 15-oz. can pumpkin

• 1  cup orange marmalade

• 1  tsp. grated fresh ginger

• 2  Tbsp. lemon juice

•   English cheddar cheese, white cheddar cheese, or Parmesan cheese (buy about 2 oz. for each person you'll be serving)

•   Assorted hearty breads

directions

In a medium saucepan combine cooked fresh pumpkin puree, marmalade, and ginger. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and cool. Serve as a spread with cheese and bread. Makes about 3 cups or 24 (2-tablespoon) servings. Spread will keep in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Makes about 3 cups spread (24, 2 tablespoon servings)

Autumn Pear & Pumpkin Soup

ingredients

• 1/2  cup chopped onion

• 1/2  cup water

• 2  teaspoons instant chicken bouillon granules

• 1  15-ounce can pumpkin

• 2-1/2  cups half-and-half or light cream

• 1-3/4  cups pear nectar

• 1/4  teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/4  teaspoon white pepper

•   Pear slices (optional)

directions

1. In a large saucepan combine onion, water, and bouillon granules. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 10 minutes or until onion is very tender; cool slightly. Do not drain.

2. Transfer mixture to a blender container or food processor bowl. Add pumpkin. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Return pumpkin mixture to saucepan. Stir in half-and-half or light cream, pear nectar, ginger, and white pepper. Cook and stir until heated through.

Ladle into soup bowls. If desired, garnish each serving with pear slices. Makes 6 servings.

Pumpkin Gingerbread

ingredients

• 2-1/4  cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2  cup sugar

• 2/3  cup butter

• 3/4  cup chopped pecans

• 3/4  cup buttermilk (or sour milk)*

• 1/2  cup molasses

• 1/2  cup canned pumpkin

• 1  egg

• 1-1/2  teaspoons ground ginger

• 1  teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2  teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2  teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4  teaspoon salt

• 1  recipe Caramel Sauce, recipe below (optional)

•   Vanilla ice cream (optional)

•   Chopped pecans (optional)

directions

In a large bowl combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the 3/4 cup pecans. Press 1-1/4 cups of the crumb mixture into bottom of an ungreased 2-quart square baking dish. To remaining crumb mixture, add buttermilk, molasses, pumpkin, egg, ginger, soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; mix well. Pour over crumb mixture in baking dish. Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 50 minutes or until center tests done. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm with Caramel Sauce, if desired. Top with ice cream and additional pecans, if desired. Makes 9 servings.

Caramel Sauce: In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter; stir in 1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar and 2 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup. Cook and stir until boiling. Stir in 1/2 cup whipping cream; return to boiling. Serve warm.