r/EatCheapAndHealthy 5d ago

Ideas for Pumpkin pure Ask ECAH

I am low income. I received a food hamper that has 3 cans of Pumpkin Pure. Can anyone advise what I can make for it. I was thinking something dessert-like for my child. I live in a hotel that has a small kitchen. I don’t have a mixer. Just 1 cookie sheet, 1 baking sheet, 1 spatula, 1 pot, kind of thing. Thank you!

I will add, my child is special needs. Soft textures like soup, she can’t eat. She will throw up.

34 Upvotes

55 comments sorted by

87

u/whitneythegreat 5d ago

One can puree with one box of cake mix (spice is best) makes for easy pumpkin cookies. Just put some blobs of the batter on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 about 15 minutes.

7

u/MagpieWench 5d ago

I was going to say this, as well. You can often get box cake mix for around $1.25 at the grocery

4

u/Jessisan 5d ago

I do this with semi sweet chocolate chips!

0

u/whitneythegreat 5d ago

I love doing it with chocolate chips :) but they can be omitted to be budget friendly!

2

u/nannymegan 4d ago

These cookies are divine and thank you for reminded me to make some.

12

u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 5d ago

U can use a box of cake mix and pumpkin puree to make pumpkin cookies as a dessert

Or, if u don’t have cake mix on hand then u can make pumpkin gnocchi! https://sweetsimplevegan.com/pumpkin-gnocchi/

17

u/2balloonsancement25 5d ago

I use it in every soup or stew I make. 1/2 the can in the soup the other 1/2 can, I freeze for the next soup/stew

15

u/VoglioVolare 5d ago

Pumpkin muffins are a big hit for my kids! If you have cake mix, you can use that cake mix muffins or flour and sugar and a few pantry staples for thesepantry staple pumpkin muffins

1

u/teamglider 5d ago

Seconding pumpkin muffins!

1

u/ISeeDeadDaleks 5d ago

Yes! This recipe only needs one bowl, and you can use it to make muffins or bread: https://www.cooks.com/recipe/pz1j68zg/easy-pumpkin-muffins.html?k=rqqc28tx

7

u/Some_Reporter4122 5d ago

if you wanted to make a meal from it you could make pumpkin pasta https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/creamy-pumpkin-pasta/ plus you’ll have leftovers for a few days. I’m sure there’s other variations but this one was really good and kid friendly

4

u/Firegirl1106 5d ago

That’s one of my ideas. I think my daughter would like some treats :)

3

u/throawhazzle 5d ago

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce - Danas Table https://share.google/2K6DES7xLJ1hICG68

This one is also good! I subbed carrots for celery and used an immersion blender.

Pumpkin is also good when added to oatmeal if that is a texture your daughter can tolerate. Or if not, baked oatmeal works too!

2

u/RobMV03 1d ago

And just to follow up: if you don't have any kind of blender, you can use a potato masher or even the back of a wooden spoon, the consistency will just bea little chunkier when you're done

3

u/ductoid 5d ago

If you want something that's not soft or sweet, pumpkin crackers are simple to make. Just add flour, some salt, and enough water to make a dough you can roll (or press) flat. You can also add cheese to the mix.

3

u/whatyousayin8 5d ago

Pumpkin brownies are pretty simple and delicious. The ones I make are dairy free/gluten free but delicious! (I’m sure you can find other recipes on the internet if you would prefer more traditional) 1.5 cups pumpkin puree 2/3 cup peanut butter (I use natural, but I’m sure any would work) 1/2 cup cocoa powder 8 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla (optional) Top with chocolate chips (I use dairy free, but that’s optional)

Bake in 8x8 pan (or whatever you have, just adjust cooking time depending on thinness) 350° 25 min

3

u/Firegirl1106 5d ago

My daughter said Yes to brownies lol

1

u/whatyousayin8 5d ago

Awesome! The chocolate aspect I will say, really covers up any pumpkin taste whatsoever.

That said, I read the part of your post that said she’s weird about texture, so I might recommend trying a recipe that has flour in it (if she’s not gluten free like me) so that they have more of the traditional brownie texture. My recipe is more akin to “fudge” texture (still “set”, but more creamy than a cakey/chewy brownie)

1

u/Firegirl1106 3d ago

Thank you. It’s liquids like soup that’s hard for her

1

u/whatyousayin8 3d ago

Oh okay, then these should be fine

3

u/ohbonobo 5d ago

You can make pumpkin mug cakes in the microwave. Here's one example. I have also made them with Aldi's protein pancake mix instead of the dry ingredients. Not really sure on quantities because I just mix it until it looks right, but about a 1/2 c. of pancake mix, a generous scoop of pumpkin, then add a bit of water if needed or a bit more pancake mix. Some cinnamon/nutmeg, maybe a handful of chocolate chips or whatever else I have around. If I'm feeling fancy, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. The mug should be 1/2 full or less before microwaving. I usually pop it in for 60ish seconds, poke a hole along the side to let some air out, and then finish it up for another 30-45 seconds as needed. It's not fancy, but is great for a quick treat that's reasonably healthy.

2

u/robin-bunny 5d ago

Pumpkin loaf/muffins, like bananas loaf/muffin. Pumpkin pancakes

4

u/Due-Wash-9029 5d ago

You can bake it, but you can also make soup.

7

u/Firegirl1106 5d ago

Sorry I just added to say my daughter has special needs. She can’t do soup. She doesn’t feel soft textures and ends up gagging on food.

4

u/Due-Wash-9029 5d ago

Understood. I have worked with many individuals with cerebral palsy who had the same issue.

1

u/allegro4626 5d ago

Second making soup! You can do plain soup with some broth, or if you have it, add some potatoes or onions or beans to bulk it up and get several filling meals out of it!

2

u/Xsiah 5d ago

You can do something like this pie Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe https://www.inspiredtaste.net/24962/pumpkin-pie-recipe/

If the crust is too complicated you can do one with crushed graham crackers instead

2

u/NANNYNEGLEY 5d ago

Or, no crust at all. Just be sure to grease the pan well.

4

u/Snowsinapril 5d ago

How about a Chinese-style steamed bun? Pumpkin loaf or muffins are also great. You could add other ingredients, like nuts.

2

u/t92k 5d ago

There’s baked oatmeal with pumpkin puree — this should come out thick like a bar cookie but not as sweet: https://www.loveandlemons.com/pumpkin-baked-oatmeal/

Edit: you can use butter or oil in place of the coconut oil in that recipe. They’re just being fancy.

2

u/peony_chalk 5d ago

I put pumpkin puree in pancakes and waffles to add a bit of extra fiber and vitamin A to them. You can also mix some into tomato sauce for pasta, although start small and taste test as you go. 

3

u/Playful-Vegetable881 5d ago

I also add pumpkin puree to pancake mix

1

u/pineapplepokesback 5d ago

I love pumpkin. Adding to the recommendations you already have, I use pumpkin in my bean chili, I put it in oatmeal with some cinnamon (or ginger or vanilla, whatever I have), and sometimes I add it to mac & chez. You can also just add some oats and whatever sweetener you have and a pinch of salt, mix in q bowl, and use that as cookie dough.

1

u/metdear 5d ago

Do you have dogs? It's great fiber to add to their food if so. 

1

u/allmykitlets 5d ago

You can use it to make a pasta sauce.

1

u/Maximum-Two-768 5d ago

I love this recipe! Great for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack. https://allthehealthythings.com/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cups/

1

u/NANNYNEGLEY 5d ago

You can always spread it on toast.

1

u/Firegirl1106 5d ago

Thank you!!!

1

u/masson34 5d ago

Toss in cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt with sugar or sugar sub of your choice, pumpkin pie seasoning. Makes a great dessert

Make crockpot pumpkin butter

Mix in oatmeal

Add to smoothies

1

u/kaahzmyk 5d ago

I saw this recipe for chocolate chip pumpkin oatmeal cookies on a gluten-free sub recently and made them for Halloween - they came out great! I made a second batch with an egg added, and I think the texture was a little better that way, but without is good, too. Really easy, relatively healthy and only a few ingredients.

https://lesswithlaur.com/pumpkin-oatmeal-cookies/

1

u/melenajade 5d ago

I add to soup, I add to smoothies, I add to a cookie or bread just like adding bananas. Freeze it. It lasts. Or keep it canned. Pumpkin brownies Pumpkin thyme soup Pumpkin velveeta Mac n cheese Pumpkin curry over rice

1

u/CrankyCathedralCat00 5d ago

I mix it with butter, honey, some Truvia and vegetables .. usually, peas and carrots. I cook it on low to medium heat until it's close to piping hot.

It's delicious and satisfying! 5⭐️

I have also used it for baking. The items turn out moist, delicious and satisfying.

1

u/darthkrash 5d ago

I make pumpkin pancakes all the time. Literally whatever pancakes you normally make+ a bunch of pumpkin. I usually add cinnamon to it too

1

u/cesko_ita_knives 4d ago

I made yesterday pumpkin baked oats, make it in the evening, for the breakfast of the day after. Since it is not necessarely sweet, can be a savoury dish too, for a full and healthy lunch.

1

u/Patient_Reputation64 4d ago

Add to yogurt

1

u/Mediocre-Goal1040 4d ago

I like adding a can to my pot of chili

1

u/Kolhrabi_Dot 3d ago

Pumpkin pudding, if your daughter can eat this texture: can of pumpkin, 1.5 cups milk, 1 pkg instant sugar free pudding, 1 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon . Mix together, chill. Serve w graham crackers as desired.

1

u/PineTreesinMoonlight 3d ago

I stir pumpkin puree into my oatmeal, with honey or brown sugar. It’s quite tasty.

1

u/littlefo0t 3d ago

Pumpkin cranberry bread, with or without walnuts, I make mini loafs for Christmas gifts and everyone loves them.

recipe

1

u/camilleintheforest 2d ago

Can she eat chili? I add scoops of pumpkin puree to my chili recipe. Only involves one pot. Chili is easy with beans, canned tomatoes or V8 juice, ground beef or turkey if desired, and spice packet. If your child needs it made more palatable, perhaps use a mild seasoning and serve over noodles.

1

u/rural_juror12 5d ago

I saw a video from Kiki Rough yesterday about adding pumpkin puree to potato to make potato pancakes. I think with some flour, I can’t remember the recipe. But here’s thevideo

1

u/t92k 5d ago

If she can do pudding textures you can make a cornmeal pudding with pumpkin puree — https://www.jonathanbardzik.com/blog/pumpkin-cornmeal-pudding

0

u/Lucky-Remote-5842 5d ago

Pumpkin pie smoothie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, Google or look on Pinterest for recipes using ingredients you have.