Easy Homemade Pumpkin Puree

By: Danielle Zimmerman, TheBestDessertRecipes Original Recipe

Easy Homemade Pumpkin Puree

By: Danielle Zimmerman, TheBestDessertRecipes Original Recipe

This year, don't load up on cans of pumpkin or pumpkin puree. Learn how to make pumpkin puree with this recipe for Easy Homemade Pumpkin Puree. All you need is a baking pumpkin, an oven, and a bit of time. This recipe honestly could not be any easier. With just one pumpkin, you can make enough pumpkin puree to bake all of those pumpkin dessert recipes on your list. In fact, you may still have a bit leftover like we did. All you need to do is clean out your pumpkin, cut it up, and roast it before putting it all through a food processor. It's much easier than you'd imagine. Using fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned will give you better pumpkin flavor for your fall treats. We used it to make a fresh pumpkin pie, a pot of soup, and some pumpkin cake cookies. The possibilities are endless.

Yields2 pounds of puree

Cooking Time1 hr

Ingredients

1 4-6 pound baking pumpkin, rinsed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Take pumpkin and, using a large knife, slice off one side of the pumpkin so that it can lay flat on that side. Once pumpkin is laying on its side, slice pumpkin in half. Then, cut out stem pieces on the top and bottom of the pumpkin.
Using your hands or a large spoon, scoop out all of the pulp and seeds from the pumpkin.
Cut up the pumpkin into large wedges and place on baking sheet(s). Then, place baking sheet(s) into prepared oven and bake for one hour, or until pumpkin flesh is roasted and can be easily pierced with a fork.
Remove pumpkin from oven and let cool for up to one hour.
Once cooled, peel skin off of pumpkin. If skin does not come off cleanly, use a small paring knife to peel.
Put peeled pumpkin wedges into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. If necessary, strain to remove any leftover stringy pieces.
Store in freezer bags in freezer until puree is needed. Alternatively, store in container in refrigerator for up to one week.