Pumpkin, Spice & Everything Nice
Libby's Perfect Pumpkin Palate Pleasers
October 2025 Issue
by Lindsay Gifford
Recipes, Information and Photography provided by Libby's® Pumpkin
It's time to fall in love with pumpkin all over again.
Fall is all about cooler weather, a crackling fire, holiday parties, football, and pumpkin everything. One name is synonymous with holiday baking traditions: Libby's® Pumpkin, an American classic for more than 75 years. And, it's not just for the holidays, cooks and chefs are discovering pumpkin is a moist, creamy, and nutritious addition for year-round recipes.
The power of pumpkin is showcased in just one delicious serving of Libby's® 100% Pure Pumpkin, which offers a rich source of nutrients, all while being low in calories and fat and naturally sodium-free. From breakfast to dinner, sweet to savory, pumpkin-filled recipes are versatile and nutritiously beneficial. In fact, pumpkin is used as a healthier alternative ingredient for many recipes. The swaps are easy: One egg can be swapped for 1/4 cup of Libby's® Pumpkin, 1 tablespoon of oil or butter can be swapped with 1 tablespoon of Libby's® Pumpkin—how easy!
This year, surprise your family and friends with delicious twists on America's favorite pumpkin classics, or with new exciting recipes that will have pumpkin lovers begging for more.
Whether you’re looking for sweet or savory, log onto www.verybestbaking.com for more benefits of pumpkin and tons of great recipes. It’s time to have a pumpkin party!
Pumpkin Maple Bacon Spread
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cooking Time: 25 mins | Skill Level: Easy | Servings: 12
4 slices Smoked bacon or turkey bacon 
2 tsps Olive oil
2 Tbsps Pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp Granulated sugar
Coarse ground black pepper
1/4 cup Light sour cream
1 small Onion, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 tsp Salt
1 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil; lay bacon on prepared baking sheet. Brush bacon on both sides with maple syrup; sprinkle with black pepper. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning bacon over halfway through baking, or until crisp. Place bacon on paper towel lined plate to drain. Once cool, set aside 1/2 piece of bacon for garnish. Crumble or cut remaining 31/2 slices into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes or until onion is tender and caramel in color. Remove from heat to cool. Combine pumpkin, sour cream and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Add 31/2 slices of crumbled bacon and onion; stir well to combine. Crumble remaining bacon; sprinkle over top. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. Makes about 1 1/2 cups. Serve with assorted mini pumpernickel or rye bread slices, crostini and/or crackers.
Mini Pumpkin Pie Jack-O-Lanterns
Prep Time: 20 mins | Cooking Time: 16 mins | Skill Level: Easy | Servings: 24
1 pkg (15 oz) refrigerated pie crusts, at room temperature
1 large Egg
1 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/4 cup Sugar
1/2 tsp Pumpkin pie spice
2/3 cup (5 oz can) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated 2% Milk
2 Tbsps COFFEE-MATE® natural bliss® Vanilla Flavor All-Natural Coffee Creamer
All-purpose flour for dusting
1/2 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
3-inch pumpkin shaped cookie cutter or 3-inch round cookie cutter
Preheat oven to 350°F. Unroll pie crust on a floured surface. Cut out 24 pumpkins from crust. You may need to gather scraps into a ball, roll with a rolling pin and cut pumpkins. Gently press pumpkins into mini muffin tins. Beat egg in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually stir in evaporated milk and Coffee-mate. Spoon about 1 tablespoon filling into each mold. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until filling is slightly puffed and set. Cool in molds for 1 hour; refrigerate for 2 hours.
To Decorate: Use 2 chocolate morsels for eyes. For the mouth, place remaining morsels in small, heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Microwave on high (100%) power for 20 seconds; knead until smooth. If needed, warm for a few more seconds. Snip tiny corner from bag and squeeze to drizzle onto mini pies.
Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cooking Time: 25 mins
Skill Level: Easy | Servings: 5
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Butter or margarine
1 small Onion, chopped
1 clove Garlic, finely chopped
2 tsps Brown sugar, packed
1 can (141/2 oz) Chicken broth
1/2 cup Water
1/2 tsp Salt (optional)
1/4 tsp Ground black pepper
1 can (15 oz) LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1/8 tsp Ground cinnamon
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and sugar; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until soft. Add broth, water, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Stir in pumpkin, evaporated milk and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer mixture to food processor or blender (in batches, if necessary); process until smooth. Return to saucepan. Serve warm.
Pumpkin Pancakes
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cooking Time: 20 mins
Skill Level: Easy | Servings: 8
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp Salt
2 Tbsps packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
11/4 tsps pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsps vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 cup Maple syrup
Chopped nuts (optional)
13/4 cups LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin, divided
1/4 tsp ground Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
1 can (12 oz) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk (Or substitute with equal amount Lactose-Free or Almond Cooking Milk)
Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in large bowl. Combine evaporated milk, 1/2 cup pumpkin, water, egg and 2 tablespoons oil in small bowl; mix well. Add to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened; batter may be lumpy. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat; brush lightly with oil. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle; cook until bubbles begin to burst. Turn and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter. Heat maple syrup, remaining 1 1/4 cups pumpkin and ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice in small saucepan until warm. Serve pancakes with pumpkin maple sauce and nuts.
LIBBY’S® Famous Pumpkin Pie
This classic recipe has been on LIBBY’S® Pumpkin labels since 1950. Just mix, pour and bake for a delicious homemade tradition.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cooking Time: 55 mins
Skill Level: Easy | Servings: 10
¾ cup Granulated sugar
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground ginger
1/4 tsp Ground cloves
2 Large eggs
1 can (15 oz) LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 Unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
1/2 tsp Salt
Whipped cream (optional)
Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
Pour into pie shell. Bake in preheated 425°F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.
100-Calorie Pumpkin Pie Tartlets
Looking for that great taste of pumpkin pie without the guilt of overindulging? Here it is! This satisfying treat is the perfect size to snack on by itself or enjoy as an elegant finish to a delicious meal.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cooking Time: 25 mins
Skill Level: Easy | Servings: 16
16 (21/2-inch) Foil baking cups
Nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup Granulated sugar
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
1 tsp Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground ginger
1 cup Fat free whipped topping
2 Large egg whites
1 can (15 oz) LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/2 tsp Salt
1 can (12 oz) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Fat Free Milk
12 small Gingersnap cookies, broken into 1/4-inch pieces
Preheat oven to 350º F. Place baking cups on baking sheet with sides. Spray each cup with cooking spray. Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger and salt in small bowl. Beat egg whites in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Spoon 1/4 to 1/3 cup of mixture into each prepared cup. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until knife inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool on baking sheet for 20 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Top each with whipped topping and gingersnap crumbs.
LIBBY’S® Pumpkin Roll
Dazzle family and friends with Libby’s® Pumpkin Roll; moist and creamy, with a tantalizing aroma and beautiful presentation.
Prep Time: 45 mins | Cooking Time: 13 mins
Skill Level: Intermediate | Servings: 14
CAKE:
1/4 cup Powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
3/4 cup All-purpose flour
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground cloves
1/4 tsp Salt
3 Large eggs
1 cup Granulated sugar
2/3 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 cup Walnuts, chopped (optional)
FILLING:
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup Powdered sugar, sifted
6 Tbsps Butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp Vanilla extract
Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
FOR CAKE: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
FOR FILLING: Beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
COOKING TIP: Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.