Pumpkin Recipes To Make With Kids

Writer and expert4 years ago

Costumes prepped, sweets sorted, decorations up; Halloween is here!

It’s pumpkin season and no doubt you’re sharpening your carving tools as we speak. However, the UK is set to make 18,000 tonnes of food waste this Halloween from discarded pumpkins. By simply saving all the waste pumpkin, and scrapping out a little more flesh than usual, you’ll not only make carving far easier but give yourself the prime ingredient needed for some tasty Halloween treats.

To get in the mood of spook season and get your little ones involved in reducing food waste, here are some pumpkin recipes to make with kids.

Before you start: Pumpkin Puree

For all of these pumpkin recipes to make with kids, you're going to want to prep a puree first, getting the long boring task out of the way before calling for your sous chef. Once made, this puree is super versatile and can be used in everything from soups and pasta dishes to cookies and desserts.

To make pumpkin puree, all you need is leftover pumpkin, or if you want to make a bigger batch, a whole pumpkin.

Chop the pumpkin up and place it on an oven tray.
Bake at 200 degrees for 45-60 minutes until the pumpkin is soft.
Place into a food processor and blend until smooth.

Easy!

#1 Pumpkin Mug Cake

The easiest seasonal treat, this Pumpkin pudding is made in less than 2 minutes. Top of our list of pumpkin recipes to make with kids, this one is ideal as there's no hot oven involved and they can create their own mini cake all by themselves.

Ingredients:

4 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp granulated white sugar
2 tbsp fat-free milk
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/16 tsp ground ginger
1/16 tsp ground cloves

Directions:

Little hands can combine all ingredients into an oversized microwave-safe mug. Use a little whisk and mix until all the ingredients are combined and the mixture is smooth.
Cook in the microwave for approximately 1 minute and 15 seconds.
Let it cool for a minute then the kids can top it with some whipped cream or any decorations of your choice.

#2 Pumpkin and Chocolate Cheesecake

For something a little more decadent or if you’re having a more grown-up Halloween dinner, this pumpkin and chocolate cheesecake is to die for. A little trickier than simple cookies and cakes, but still an easy pumpkin recipe to make with kids as kitchen hands.

Ingredients:

250g bourbons
2tbs Butter
350g Pumpkin puree
360g cream cheese
200g sugar
100ml double cream
1tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ginger
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cloves
2 eggs

Directions:

Put the bourbons into a zip lock back and have the little one smash them up, being careful of their fingers. You want it to be crushed into a constancy slightly thicker than breadcrumbs.
Add in 2 tbsps of melted butter and combine.
Transfer this into a round cake tin and have your helper press it down into a compacted base.
In a food processor, combine the pumpkin puree, cream cheese, sugar, cream and spices. Once that is all smooth, add in eggs on the lowest setting to avoid whipping. Then pour this over the base.
Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for an hour.
Once it’s cooled you can let your little one decorate. We’ll be covering ours in whipped cream, then using chocolate chips to create a scary ghost face.

#3 Pumpkin Tarts

A seasonal twist on the old school favourite jam tart, these are easily decorated into spooky pumpkin faces. Ideal for kids to make or to take away as a trick or treat.

For the crust:

Ingredients:

225g plain flour
100g butter
A pinch of salt

Directions:

Sift 225g plain flour into a large bowl, add 100g diced butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Stir in a pinch of salt, then add 2-3 tbsp water and mix to a firm dough.
Knead the dough briefly and gently on a floured surface.
Wrap in cling film and chill while preparing the filling.

For the filling:

Ingredients:

2 eggs
100g sugar
1tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp cloves
¼ tsp ginger
340g evaporated milk
425g pumpkin puree

Directions:

In a bowl combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, and evaporated milk along with the spices. Mix until smooth.
While you do this, have your little helper roll out the pastry and use a cookie cutter to cut out circles.
Put these into the holes of a cupcake tin and use a fork to poke holes into the base.
Fill each tart with the pumpkin mixture then bake for 20-30 minutes at 180 degrees.
While they cool, smash up some green and brown smarties. Use these to create the stalk and face of the pumpkin.

Don't forget to snap a picture of your spooky bakes and tag us on Instagram, @thehut_com