Canned pumpkin is, thankfully, a product that is just as good as its homemade counterpart. You’ll find slight variations between brands, but overall you can be confident that reaching for the can opener is not a shortcut that will compromise the final result. Just make sure you don’t buy pumpkin pie filling if your recipe calls for pumpkin puree. Pie filling has added sugar and spices, and could sabotage your muffins or cake.

Perhaps the most popular use for canned pumpkin is pie, but there are so many applications, both sweet and savory alike. These three recipes reach beyond the typical pumpkin spice bread, pie and muffins, and will have you feeling all the fall vibes. For even more pumpkin bliss, be sure to check out all the recipes on zestkh.com.

Pumpkin Apple Snacking Cake

Don’t think of this as a mash up of two desserts, it is a rich and moist pumpkin cake, studded with a layer of caramelized apples that stands all on its own. Sweet enough to be served for dessert, it can also take center stage as a breakfast cake, or be enjoyed with a cup of tea in the afternoon for a little pick me up.

View Recipe

Easy Pumpkin Black Bean Soup

This mostly pantry ingredient soup is super simple for a busy weeknight. Pair it with a grilled cheese or quesadilla, or a green salad for a light autumn dinner. If you like a little more kick, try using chipotle chili powder in place of the ancho chili powder.

View Recipe

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce

Adapted from Epicurious

If serving this for a dinner party, assemble the bread pudding and make the sauce ahead of time. Cover both, and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You’ll want to pop the bread pudding in your preheated oven a little over an hour before you plan to serve it, rewarming the sauce in the microwave. Sometimes, if I’m feeling extra decadent, I’ll serve it with vanilla ice cream. I love to watch as it melts and oozes into all the nooks and crannies of the bread pudding, though it’s perfectly delicious all on its own.

View Recipe