There’s no denying canned pumpkin purée is more convenient than making it yourself, but let’s be real: you’re sacrificing how tasty your pumpkin pies can really be. But there’s good news: you can turn to the convenient canned stuff without skimping on flavor, so long as you use these make-it-better tricks.
1. Cook It on the Stove
Why It Works
Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. This method helps reduce excess moisture, which gives the pumpkin a superior texture. It also releases the natural pumpkin flavor and helps reduce the metallic taste from the can.
How to Do It
Simply transfer the purée into a saucepan or large skillet and cook for about five minutes on medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching and sticking. You don’t want to cook or reduce the pumpkin too much — you’re just releasing its flavor a bit. Once it’s steamy and fragrant, you’re done. Let the pumpkin cool to room temperature before proceeding with your recipe.
2. (Briefly) Roast It
Why It Works
The overall idea is similar to cooking it on the stove, but some find that roasting the pumpkin yields a superior, slightly toasty and nutty flavor to finished baked goods.
How to Do It
Spread the purée on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat and roast in an oven heated to 400 F for several minutes. Keep a close eye on it — you don’t want the pumpkin to burn or even to “set.” Once fragrant, remove the pumpkin and let it cool to room temperature before proceeding with your recipe.
Â3. Add a DIYÂ Spice Mix
Why It Works
Pumpkin loves spice. But if your canned pumpkin is pre-mixed with spices, they won’t do much to combat the meh flavor. You can use store-bough pumpkin pie spice mix, but these pre-mixed spices can lose thier luster if they’ve been sitting on a shelf for months. Your best bet is to DIY a fresh mixture yourself.
How to Do It
Pumpkin Spice Mix Recipe
- â…“ cup ground cinnamon
- 1½ tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1½ teaspoons ground cloves
- 1½ teaspoons ground allspice
Mix the above together until completely combined, then place in an airtight jar until you’re ready to use.
4. Infuse It With Flavor
Why It Works
Combining your canned pumpkin with other flavorings found in your recipe and letting them sit for an hour or two will infuse the pumpkin with said flavor, elevating the pumpkin from its straight-from-the-can taste.
How to Do It
Before baking or cooking, mix the pumpkin with any spices or flavorings called for in the recipe. For example, if you’re making a simple pumpkin pie, mix the filling ingredients and let it sit in the fridge for an hour or so before filling the pie shell and baking.
This works for savory recipes, too. If you’re making, say, a pumpkin ravioli, mix the pumpkin, cheese and any other needed spices together. Let the mixture sit in the fridge while you cut out your pasta, then assemble.
5. Use Quality Ingredients
How It Works
Regardless of how you’re using canned pumpkin, combining it with the highest quality ingredients helps improve the overall flavor. For instance, say you’re making a class pumpkin pie. Combining canned pumpkin with a pre-made pie crust and canned whipped cream can yield “blah” results.
How to Do It
It’s simple! Opt for fresh and homemade whenever you can. Making your own pie crust and DIYing your own whipped cream will take your pie to an entirely new level.
I already baked my crustless pie and didn’t use enough spices. What can I do with it now?
HI Kris,
You could sprinkle the finished pie with a cinnamon sugar spice blend.
Blend 1/4 cup of sugar with a half teaspoon of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg and ginger.
That would help.
You could also serve it with whipped cream that is sweetened with cinnamon sugar.
Happy Baking!
Chef Colette
I thought the amount of cinnamon seemed over the top (1/3 cup) compared to the original amount on the can (1 tsp) so I only added 1/4 cup. The mix is overpowering with cinnamon, but I haven’t baked yet, also taking into consideration letting it sit for an hour so the flavors have a chance to blend. So here’s hoping for a delicious pie! 🤞
Amber, you probably weren’t supposed to use all the mix in one pie. I’m thinking it was a mix that you store in a jar and use as needed. The page mentions store-bought pumpkin spice mix, then gives a recipe to make your own. You can check a recipe to see how much to use or google for info, or just adjust with subsequent pies until it turns out how you like.
How much of the spice mix do you use for a large can of pumpkin
Can adding sugar make canned pumpkin pie mix sweeter?
Yes adding sugar will most defiantly make ur pumpkin pie sweeter so always add a little at a time
I took my grandmother’s receipt and cut back on the sugar it was way to sweet. Then I added 1/2 a small box of raisins , and it was amazing the sweet from the raisins changed the whole pie. I called it a fly pie like if you cool pies in the window sill your going to draw flies. I wish I could send a pic.