These easy recipes using canned pumpkin puree solve both problems. Five use one full 15-ounce can, two use one cup, and the pumpkin whoopie pies call for three cups when you are ready for a bigger fall baking project.
⭐ Recipe at a Glance
- Fastest: Pumpkin Pancakes – 15 minutes
- Uses one can and makes two loaves: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Best make-ahead classic: Homemade Pumpkin Pie
- Best breakfast for a crowd: Pumpkin French Toast Bake – serves 10
- Best low-fuss cake: Pumpkin Bundt Cake
- Best handheld treat: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies – makes about 24
🫙 How Much Pumpkin Puree Does Each Recipe Use?
A standard 15-ounce can of pumpkin contains approximately 1 3/4 cups of puree. Recipes that use one cup will leave you with roughly 3/4 cup for another recipe.
| Recipe | Pumpkin Puree Needed | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Pancakes | 1 cup | 12 pancakes |
| Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread | 1 (15-ounce) can | 2 loaves |
| Pumpkin French Toast Bake | 1 (15-ounce) can | 10 servings |
| Homemade Pumpkin Pie | 1 (15-ounce) can | 10 servings |
| Pumpkin Cheesecake | 1 cup | 8 servings |
| Pumpkin Bundt Cake | 1 (15-ounce) can | 12 servings |
| Pumpkin Cake | 1 (15-ounce) can | 12 servings |
| Pumpkin Whoopie Pies | 3 cups | About 24 sandwich cookies |
👩🍳 Chef’s Note
- When a recipe calls for one 15-ounce can, use the entire can rather than trying to convert it into an exact cup measurement.
- (Pumpkin puree is sold by weight, and the volume can vary slightly depending on how it settles in the can.)
🥞 Pumpkin Breakfast Recipes
These are the pumpkin recipes to make when you want fall flavor before dessert. Start with the pancakes for a quick breakfast or choose the French toast bake when you are feeding more people.
Ready in 15 minutes
Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes
Soft and warmly spiced, these pumpkin pancakes are ready in just 15 minutes. The recipe uses one cup of pumpkin puree and makes 12 pancakes, leaving enough in the can for another small batch of fall baking. The pancakes also freeze beautifully.
Full can, two loaves
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
This tender pumpkin bread uses one full can of puree and makes two chocolate-studded loaves without requiring a mixer. Keep one loaf for breakfast and snacks, then freeze the second or share it with someone who could use a little fall baking delivered to their door.
Breakfast for a crowd
Pumpkin French Toast Bake
Brioche, pumpkin custard, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a brown sugar-pecan topping make this French toast casserole unapologetically special. It uses one full can of pumpkin and serves 10. The pumpkin custard and cream cheese filling can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated separately, which takes some of the work out of a holiday or weekend morning.
🥧 Pumpkin Pie and Cheesecake
These are the recipes for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and any fall dinner that deserves a proper dessert. Both benefit from being made ahead, which is exactly what I want from a holiday dessert.
The Thanksgiving classic
Homemade Pumpkin Pie
A buttery homemade crust holds a creamy pumpkin filling made with warm spices and a small amount of orange zest to brighten the flavor. Top slices with maple whipped cream and don’t rush the cooling time: the filling continues to set while cooling. Uses one full can and makes 10 servings.
For the cheesecake people
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Graham Cracker Crust
There is for my cheesecake people. The creamy pumpkin-spiced filling sits over a pecan-graham crust, using one cup of pumpkin puree-so it is also an excellent choice when you have part of a can left after another recipe.
🍰 Pumpkin Cakes and Handheld Treats
This group moves from an easy Bundt cake to a fully dressed pumpkin cake and finally to soft sandwich cakes made for sharing.
The pan does the decorating
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Pumpkin, brown sugar, and warm spices give this Bundt cake a tender crumb and subtle caramel notes. The shaped pan makes it look impressive without layering a thing. Finish it with cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans, or keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar.
The showpiece
Pumpkin Cake with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
This moist pumpkin cake uses one full can of puree and is topped with salted caramel cream cheese frosting and candied pecans. The cake itself is straightforward; the frosting and toppings are what turn it into a fall centerpiece.
Enough for sharing
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Soft pumpkin cake-like cookies are sandwiched around a fluffy cream cheese filling for a handheld treat that works beautifully for fall parties, bake sales, and dessert tables. The recipe uses three cups of puree and makes approximately 24 whoopie pies. Use a scoop to keep the cookies evenly sized so the pairs match after baking.
🎃 Canned Pumpkin Puree vs. Fresh Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin puree is my first choice for most baking because its texture and moisture level are consistent. That consistency matters in cakes, quick breads, pies, and cheesecake, where too much liquid can change the finished texture.
Homemade pumpkin puree can still work, but it is often wetter. If your puree looks loose or watery, drain it in a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth before measuring it. You may also need to cook it briefly to remove excess moisture.
Always check the label before baking. Plain pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling are not interchangeable. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and seasoned, while plain puree allows the recipe to control the sugar and spices.
📦 What to Do with Leftover Pumpkin Puree
Transfer leftover puree out of the can and refrigerate it in a covered container if you plan to use it soon.
For longer storage, freeze it in measured portions. Half-cup and one-cup portions are especially useful for future baking. Label the container with the amount before freezing because a mystery orange block is much less helpful three months from now.
You can also freeze small amounts in an ice cube tray for smoothies, oatmeal, sauces, and other recipes that only need a spoonful or two.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions
What can I make with pumpkin puree besides pumpkin pie?
Pumpkin puree can be used in pancakes, quick breads, French toast casseroles, cheesecake, Bundt cake, frosted cakes, and pumpkin whoopie pies. The quickest option in this collection is the 15-minute Pumpkin Pancakes.
How much pumpkin puree is in a 15-ounce can?
A 15-ounce can contains approximately 1 3/4 cups of pumpkin puree. Recipes that use one cup will leave roughly 3/4 cup in the can.
Which recipes use a full can of pumpkin puree?
The Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin French Toast Bake, Homemade Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Bundt Cake, and Pumpkin Cake each use one 15-ounce can.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
Usually, yes, but homemade puree may contain more water. Drain watery puree before measuring it so its consistency is closer to canned pumpkin. Extra moisture can affect the texture and baking time.
Is pumpkin puree the same as pumpkin pie filling?
No. Plain pumpkin puree is unsweetened and generally contains only pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices and is not a direct substitute in recipes developed for plain puree.
Can leftover pumpkin puree be frozen?
Yes. Freeze it in measured portions in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Thaw it in the refrigerator and stir it before using.
💛 Conscious Bites
Your priorities, your recipe. Learn about Intentional Cooking.
Finances: Pumpkin puree is affordable and shelf-stable, but only if we use what we open. Freeze leftovers in clearly measured portions so the second half of the can becomes another meal instead of refrigerator waste.
Time & Convenience: Canned pumpkin is one shortcut I fully support. Its consistent moisture and texture make baking more predictable, and during the holidays, predictable is a beautiful thing.
Community, Culture & Tradition: Pumpkin recipes have a way of becoming part of fall gatherings – a pie that appears every Thanksgiving, a loaf shared with a neighbor, or whoopie pies carried to a school table. Traditions often begin with something as simple as making the same good recipe again.
🍂 More Fall Flavors You’ll Love
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Canned Pumpkin Purée
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KitchenAid Stand Mixer
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Mud Pie Fat Pumpkin Pot Holder and Spoon Set
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Mud Pie Circa Pumpkin Pie Dish Set,
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