How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree Recipe - Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking (2024)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THISRECIPE:Homemade Pumpkin Pureeemerges as the staringredientas fall approaches in numerousrecipes, gradually outshining its counterpart-canned pumpkin puree. Turning to homemade puree not only addresses the challenge of inconsistent store-bought availability but also rewards you with a luxuriously smooth texture, a bolderflavor, and a more vivid, signature orange hue. The best part? Crafting yourown pumpkin pureeis surprisingly effortless!

Be sure to check out my latest curated collection of Essential Holiday Pumpkin Recipes You Never Knew You Craved. Bake as your heart desires with these 15 pumpkin recipes full of unique flavor, warmth, and earthiness, indulging in the essence of fall every bite.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated and improved on 10/18/2023, to include new photography, explanation of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.

Table of Contents

• What isHomemade Pumpkin Puree?
• Tools forHomemade Pumpkin Puree
• KeyIngredient
• How to MakeHomemade Pumpkin Puree
• How to StoreHomemade Pumpkin Puree
• FAQs
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Explore More HomemadeIngredients

What isHomemade Pumpkin Puree?

• Homemade pumpkin purée is a cookingingredientmade by cooking and blending fresh pumpkinflesh.
• It possesses a rich, orange hue, with a naturally sweet and earthyflavorthat captures the essence of the autumn season.
• This versatile ingredient serves as a fundamental component in a wide array of sweet and even savory dishes, contributing a luscious, creamy texture and a subtle, nutty undertone that enhances recipes such as Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer,Gemma’s Best Ever Pumpkin Bread,Gemma’s Best Ever Pumpkin Bread,Homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte,Pumpkin PieEgg Rolls,Pumpkin Piein a Mug, and so many more!

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Knife
• Large spoon
• Food processor

KeyIngredient

All you need is aSugar Pumpkin, also known as aPie Pumpkin.

• Itis a specific type of pumpkin variety that is smaller, sweeter, and less watery than the larger pumpkins often used for carving and decoration.
• They are typically round and known for their smooth, fine-grainedflesh, making them ideal forpumpkin recipessuch asPumpkin Pies,PumpkinMuffins,Pumpkin Pancakes, orPumpkin PieEgg Rolls.
• Sugar pumpkinsare a good source of several essential nutrients, includingvitamins(specificallyVitaminA andVitamin C),fiber, antioxidants, and minerals, also are low incalories.

How to MakeHomemade Pumpkin Puree

• Preheatovento 350°F (180°C).

• Prepare pumpkins:

  • Carefully cut each pumpkin in half, cut the stems off, andscoopout the seeds.
  • Place thepumpkin halvescut sidedown on a parchment-lined baking tray.

• Bake the pumpkinsfor roughly 1 hour or untilfork-tender. Remove from theovenand let them cool.

• Blendcooled cooked pumpkinfleshuntil smooth.

How to StoreHomemade Pumpkin Puree

You can refrigerate your puree until ready to use for up to 2 weeks or place it intofreezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 6 months.

FAQs

• Can I use other types of pumpkins besidessugar pumpkins?
  • Whilesugar pumpkinsare the preferred choice for making pumpkin puree due to their sweetness and texture, you can use other pumpkin varieties, but theflavorand consistency may vary.
• What’s the difference between homemade andcanned pumpkin puree?
  • Homemade pumpkin puree is made from fresh pumpkins, while canned pumpkin puree is processed and may have additives. Homemade version offers a fresher taste.
• Can I freeze homemade pumpkin puree?
  • Yes,homemade pumpkin pureecan be frozen in portion-sized containers for later use, making it convenient to have on hand.
• How do I prevent myhomemade pumpkin pureefrom turning brown?
  • To prevent browning, you can add a bit of lemon juice to the puree.
  • Also, proper storage in airtight containers may help maintain its color.
• What’s the best way to defrost frozenhomemade pumpkin puree?
  • The best way to thaw frozen pumpkin puree is to place it in therefrigeratorfor a few hours or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Stir well to even out the texture.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• You can use other pumpkins such asbutternut squashrather thansugar pumpkinsjust note theflavorand texture may vary.
• If yourhomemade pumpkin pureeis overly watery, you should strain it overcheeseclothor a fine meshstrainerto get rid of some excess liquid.
• Instead of afood processor, you can also use ablender,immersion blender, orpotato masher.
• Baking pumpkins in theovencan result in more flavors than boiling them in water.
• You can freeze pumpkin puree in ½ cup (4oz/113g) or 1cup(8oz/225g) potions for easy use in the future. For smaller quantities, you can use anice cube tray.
• To enhance your pumpkin puree flavors, make myHomemadePumpkin PieSpiceto pair with it.
• Not sure what to do with leftover pumpkin seeds? Pumpkin seeds are high in protein. Save and roast pumpkin seeds into healthy snacks!

Explore More Homemade Ingredients

• How to Make Homemade Applesauce
• How to Make Cream Cheese
• How to Make Sour Cream
• How to Make Condensed Milk
• 5-Minute No-Roll Pie Crust

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated and improved on 10/18/2023, to include new photography, explanation of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.

Ingredients

Instructions

Recipe Notes