Hello, Pumpkin Season!
It’s officially my favorite season, you guys!
Pumpkin spice season.
While fall is popular for many flavors, the one that always takes the cake is pumpkin.
That said, I enjoy pumpkin flavors all year long, and now that it’s pumpkin season again, I look forward to breaking away from using canned pumpkin and making my own puree again!
From pumpkin spiced lattes and breakfast foods to pumpkin soups and desserts, it’s just all so good, you guys!
10 Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
Pumpkin desserts are one of the best things about pumpkin season, and I’m super excited to give some of these new recipes a try this year!
While there is no shortage of pumpkin dessert recipes out there, I tried to be a bit more picky and lean on healthier options, including but not limited to gluten-free, vegan (or dairy-free), high-protein, low-sugar, and low-carb options!
That said, rarely can a dessert ever be called healthy.
So, without further ado, check out this fun mixture of unique and not-so-unique healthy(ish) pumpkin dessert ideas for fall!
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Pumpkin Dessert Pies
First up on the list, pies!
While pumpkin pie is likely the most traditional way to enjoy pumpkin at the Thanksgiving table, it’s also one of my favorite desserts of all time!
This gluten-free pumpkin pie, via The Immagraints Table is a healthier version of that classic we all love.
Not only is this recipe gluten-free, but it’s also vegan!
This recipe includes a gluten-free crust recipe, pie filling, and whipped topping recipe!
You can create all three portions of this recipe using all-purpose gluten-free flour, salt, shortening, white vinegar, pumpkin puree, coconut milk, brown sugar, white sugar, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
While not sugar-free or technically healthy, this pumpkin pie recipe is health-conscious and gluten-free, making it a great dessert option for any fall table!
Next, we have these adorable pumpkin pie bites – via Like Hot Keto.
These tiny delicacies are made using almond flour, powdered sweetener, cinnamon, salt, butter, bee pollen, blackstrap molasses, pumpkin puree, heavy cream, whey protein powder, egg, pumpkin pie spice, black pepper, and optional whipped cream for topping.
Not only are these little bites protein-packed, but they are great for portion control!
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Pumpkin Cake Recipes
Strangely, I was never much of a cake fan as a child.
However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate a well-made cake (as long as it isn’t too sweet, that is).
First up in our pumpkin cake category are these pumpkin pie bundt cakes – via Like Hot Keto.
Not only do these look amazing, but they sound incredible!
Set the table and create these mini cakes for your next fall dinner using lupin flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, butter, sugar substitute, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract.
This recipe also includes a simple frosting recipe that calls for cream cheese, powdered sweetener, vanilla extract, and low-carb milk (or cream).
Talk about YUM!
While mini cakes are great for easy individual servings, this gluten-free pumpkin sheet cake – via Cucina Nicolina is great for any occasion!
If gluten-free is what you need, you can easily throw this cake together using almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, sea salt, ginger, nutmeg, pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and maple syrup (optional).
This recipe also includes instructions for homemade icing using cream cheese, butter, and confectioners’ sugar.
While gluten-free, this recipe is definitely not low in sugar, so enjoying this one in moderation is best.
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Pumpkin Cookie Recipes
Confession time.
I’m not now, nor have I ever been, a huge cookie lover.
Cookies have to be made just right for me to even think about giving them a chance (gooey and warm is the only way I take them).
That said, I have some cookie lovers (my husband, for one) in my home, and I know they will want to try these next 2 options for sure!
First up, these pumpkin protein cookies – via Like Hot Keto.
These bad boys are made using pumpkin puree, butter, sugar substitute (or sugar), vanilla extract, coconut flour, whey protein powder, baking powder, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice — making them an ideal cookie for everyone!
I totally love that these cookies are protein-packed and lower in sugar.
Next up, a cookie I might actually be more inclined to try (when they are fresh from the oven, of course).
Ok, ok, you got me, these aren’t technically a cookie, but more of a cookie bar.
Anyway, these gluten-free chocolate chip pumpkin blondies – via Lemons n Lyme are made using chickpeas, pumpkin puree, olive oil (or coconut oil), maple syrup, egg, vanilla extract, oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips.
These babies actually sound pretty darn tasty, and I love that they are made with maple syrup instead of traditional sugar!
Plus, they are gluten-free, you guys! A must in my book!
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Spoonable Pumpkin Desserts
Who doesn’t love a good spoonable dessert?
From ice cream to pudding, I’m all about the tasty spoonable treats!
So, naturally, I’m totally excited for this one!
This light pumpkin fluff – via Make it Skinny Please not only looks good, but it sounds pretty darn tasty!
You can whip this fluff up in your own home using pumpkin puree, sugar-free vanilla pudding, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and frozen sugar-free whipped topping.
While not necessarily healthy, it is a lighter dessert option due to the sugar-free pudding and whipped topping. That said, you could easily skip the store-bought items, taking this from a semi-homemade creation to a fully homemade fluff!
Creating your own low-sugar whipped topping is an easy option to mix it up and take this health-conscious recipe up a notch.
So, it’s possible I’ve never shared this before, but I’m kind of a pudding gal.
That said, I typically like my pudding warm, so while intrigued, I’m not 100% sure how I feel about cold pumpkin pudding.
Either way, I’m excited to share this one because it’s likely the healthiest one on the list, you guys!
This pumpkin chai pudding – via Blend with Spice is made using only 5 ingredients: milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and honey.
Not only is this a sugar-free dessert option, but it’s packed with health-conscious ingredients!
Definitely making this one for my kiddos!
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Other Pumpkin Bakes
While pies, cookies, cakes, and even spoonable desserts are great, sometimes it’s fun to mix it up with something unique you can mix up and toss in the oven.
These final two pumpkin dessert recipes are just that!
While not gluten-free, this sourdough pumpkin bake – via Food and Life Lately sounds incredible and is likely something I will still mix up in our home this fall — making a few simple modifications of course.
This recipe is made using pumpkin puree, butter, sourdough starter, coconut sugar, egg, vanilla extract, dark chocolate, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice.
I’m a huge sourdough fan, so I definitely look forward to trying to modify this one into a gluten-free option!
Last on our little list of pumpkin dessert recipes is this simple pumpkin flan – via A Latin Flair.
This flan is made us sugar, maple syrup, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, pumpkin puree, cream cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, ground cinnamon, and cloves.
While the sugar content definitely keeps this one off the healthy list, I simply had to include it due to its uniqueness.
I mean, it’s pumpkin flan, you guys!
More Pumpkin Yumms + Fun
As a huge pumpkin lover, I totally get that you might still want more!
So, if you loved these pumpkin dessert recipes, check out some of our other upcoming pumpkin recipe posts.
From pumpkin soups to pumpkin to pumpkin pastas, I’ve got you covered for all your pumpkin-eating needs!
Plus, I’ve got some printable pumpkin fun to meet your crafting needs as well!
Check out our free pumpkin templates and pumpkin coloring sheets over on the Life + Homeschool blog!
