The cool weather has moved in and sweaters are back in style, which can only mean one thing: pumpkin season is back! Today is National Pumpkin Day, and it’s the time of year when pumpkin is most celebrated and enjoyed. From pumpkin carving to pumpkin treats, there is something for everyone. In order to get in the fall spirit, I thought I would share some of the best tips and tricks to use when making delicious pumpkin treats.
1. Canned pumpkin is NOT cheating!
When baking with pumpkin using canned pumpkin will give you more consistent results than making your own pumpkin puree, especially when making multiple batches. Making your own pumpkin puree can be tricky, and the puree can vary from batch to batch because of the roasting time and consistency of the pumpkins themselves. When baking large batches you need to make sure your batter remains consistent, which can be very tricky when one of your main ingredients may vary in thickness or taste. Canned pumpkin is NOT cheating, if anything it makes sure your treats are the best sweet on the table this season.
2. Pumpkin needs a little extra sugar, spice, and everything nice!
If you’re experimenting with adding pumpkin to your baked goods, remember that pumpkin by itself is not sweet. You’ll need to balance the pumpkin flavor with sugar if using pumpkin in your cookies, pies, or other recipes. You can also add cinnamon and nutmeg to give your baked goods an authentic, autumn flavor. With any of these spices, or a combination of the three, your pumpkin flavor will instantly shine through sweeter than ever.
3. Pumpkin can be a great substitute for eggs in vegan baking!
Vegan baking can be tricky, and one of the most difficult ingredients to replace is eggs. Eggs add structure to baked goods and help bind all the ingredients together. Pumpkin offers a unique, fall flavor that can help replace eggs in many baked goods. Substitute 1 egg with ¼ cup of pumpkin puree. This easy substitute adds great flavor and keeps your baked goods egg and dairy-free.
4. Pumpkin NEEDS to be refrigerated!
Pumpkin is a great flavor for sweet treats, but pumpkin itself has a high moisture content and easily molds at room temperature. Not only do you want to refrigerate your pumpkin puree, but it’s a best practice to refrigerate pumpkin-based baked goods as well. Refrigerating your pumpkin sweets will maintain their fresh flavor for twice as long.
Pumpkin sweets are a great way to embrace the fall season.. But if you don’t have the time to bake for yourself and still want to indulge in some pumpkin treats, you should check out Whisked’s new fall flavor: pumpkin snickerdoodle. Experimenting in the kitchen can be tricky, but you shouldn’t be afraid to try something new. Maybe you’ll even learn your own tips and tricks along the way. Happy baking!
