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5 Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Pumpkin Pie Filling

5 Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Pumpkin Pie Filling

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When pumpkin season rolls around, it is a good idea to try as many pumpkin-based recipes as possible. Go pumpkin crazy! It is, after all, one of the best flavors out there.

One thing many people love to make is pumpkin pie. Sometimes a recipe for pumpkin pie makes too much filling and you may have some left over.

Don’t worry! There is plenty that you can do with that extra pumpkin pie filling that will keep the pumpkin spice spirit going.

What is Pumpkin Spice?

Before taking a look at things that you can do with extra pumpkin pie filling, let’s talk about what pumpkin spice actually. Sure, we all love pumpkin spice and its warm, comforting flavor, but what goes into pumpkin spice?

The first ingredient, of course, is pumpkin! Pumpkin puree is the basis of most pumpkin spice and pumpkin flavored recipes. Pumpkin puree is usually made using small, sugar pumpkins which are more tender than their larger counter parts.

Sugar pumpkins are grown especially for baking and once they are peeled and de-seeded, and roasted, they are ready to puree and use in any recipe.

Other than the obvious pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice contains the following:

  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground ginger
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground Cloves
  • Sometimes ground allspice

This blend of spices is really what makes the flavor of pumpkin come alive and the spices are likely the taste that you know and love (not the pumpkin puree itself!). These spices are in almost every pumpkin recipe and while some recipes ask for pre-blended “pumpkin spice” as an ingredient, others will require you to make your own mix.

No matter what, pumpkin spice is a purely amazing flavor!

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Filling

Making Pumpkin Pie Filling

Making filling for pumpkin pie is one of the easiest recipes out there. No matter what recipe you use to make your pumpkin pie filling, you will essentially just be whisking all the ingredients in the recipe together and then pouring the filling into a prebaked pie shell.

Measuring and whisking is all it takes to make pumpkin pie filling! Anyone, no matter their culinary skills, can make a great pumpkin pie filing. Now, what to do with that extra filling that just doesn’t fit in your pie crust.

What to Do With Extra Pumpkin Pie Filling

Different pumpkin pie recipes will make different amounts of pumpkin pie filling. You may end up with more filling than will fit in your pie pan. You should definitely not throw away that extra filling!

There are plenty of ways that you can use extra pumpkin pie filling to make amazing desserts and treats. Here are a few ideas that I know you will love.

1 – Bake Mini Pies

Making a mini pumpkin pie or two is a great way to use both extra pie crust dough and extra filling. You don’t need too much of either to make a mini pie possible!

Use a small pie pan or even just a ramekin to place the extra pie crust in. Bake the mini pie crusts and then fill with the extra pumpkin pie filling. Bake at the temperature required in your recipe for the large pie however, keep in mind that mini pumpkin pies will bake faster than a large pie.

When the filling no longer is jiggly in the center, you know the pie is done!

2 – Make Pumpkin Custard

Baked Pumpkin Pudding

A quick and easy way to use extra pumpkin pie filling is to make a pumpkin pudding or hot custard. Pour the extra filing into individually sized ramekins (a 4 ounce ramekin will work!).

Bake the custards in a 350 degree F oven for about 20-30 minutes. Once the center of the custard is no longer liquid and the edges begin to brown, the custard is done! Let cool slightly and then serve with some whipped cream.

It is just like eating a pumpkin pie but without the crust. This is a very easy and very delicious way to use that extra pumpkin pie filling and takes very little effort.

3 – Pumpkin Pie Bars

Make pumpkin pie bars using the extra pumpkin pie filling by first baking a shortbread crust. This recipe will make a crust big enough to cover the bottom of an 8×8 cake pan which is a good size if you have about 1 cup of extra pumpkin pie filling.

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup white flour

Beat the butter and sugar together until very light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and then mix in the flour. Press the dough into a greased pan and then bake for about 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Pour the extra pie filling over the baked crust and then bake for another 15 minutes to set the pumpkin pie filling. Let the bars cool then slice and serve!

No one will ever guess that these bars were made using “extra” ingredients.

4 – Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Yes, you read that correctly- you can make a pumpkin pie smoothie using leftover pumpkin pie filling. Bake the pumpkin pie filling in a ramekin or any kind of small baking dish until it is completely set.

Once cooled, place about 1 cup of the cooked pumpkin pie filling in a blender along with 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of ice. Puree the mix together until very smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

This is a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy that pumpkin pie taste in a whole new way. Keep this in mind in the summer when you are hot yet still craving pumpkin spice!

5 – Pumpkin Pie Cake Pops

Cake pops are a trend that has seemed to stick around and we know why- they are delicious! Making pumpkin pie cake pops are a fantastic way to use that extra pumpkin pie filling that you have on hand.

Bake the filling completely and then let it cool. Place the baked pumpkin pie filling in a large bowl and mix it together with graham cracker crumbs. Add enough crumbs to make the filling stiff- it should hold its shape when rolled into a ball.

Scoop and roll the filling into 1 inch size pieces and place them on a flat plate or sheet tray. Melt some white chocolate chips or white candy melting chips and then dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the chocolate and stick it into the pumpkin pie balls.

Once every ball has a stick, place the tray in the freezer for about 15 minutes to cool. Once cold, dip the cake balls completely in the melted white chocolate. Enjoy the pumpkin pie pops right away!

As you can see, there are lots of things that you can do with extra pumpkin pie filling. In fact, you may want to plan on making extra pumpkin pie filling next time you bake a pie just so you can enjoy one of these extra pumpkin treats.

You may even find that you want to skip making the pumpkin pie completely and just make one of these ideas instead! Either way, extra pumpkin pie filling is clearly a good thing. Enjoy!

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