This easy Homemade Pumpkin Puree is a great alternative to canned puree. It is thick and not watery, so it works well in baking recipes.

You can use it in pumpkin pie, bread, or scones.
It pairs perfectly with autumnal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

The key to making pumpkin puree for baking recipes is to ensure that it’s not too wet. If it’s too runny or watery, it can mess with the recipe and ruin the end result. Not to worry though, there are some simple tips that will help you achieve perfect pumpkin puree at home.

How much pumpkin do I need for 1 cup of puree

You need to bake approximately 1.1 lb (500 g) of fresh pumpkin to get 1 cup of pumpkin puree. For 2 cups of puree, you would need approximately 2.2 lb (1 kg) of fresh pumpkin.

However, it is usually a good idea to bake slightly more pumpkin than you think you need. This is because the yield can vary depending on the water content of your pumpkin and cooking time in the oven. It’s always better to have slightly more than ending up short. I talk about how you can freeze any leftovers below.

Slices of baked pumpkin on a baking tray lined with baking paper — Oven-baked pumpkin gives a thicker and less watery pumpkin puree

How to make homemade pumpkin puree less watery

To make homemade pumpkin puree that is thick and less watery, there are two key steps to follow:

Choose smaller pumpkin varieties: Smaller pumpkins are naturally less watery. They are also sweeter and less fibrous than larger pumpkins used for decorating at Halloween. Most pumpkins sold in halves or quarters at the supermarket will work. So will pumpkins labelled as baking pumpkin, sugar pumpkin or pie pumpkin. Butternut squash, also called butternut pumpkin, is a good option too.
Bake the pumpkin in the oven: Baking pumpkin, rather than boiling or steaming it, helps to reduce the moisture content of the pumpkin during the cooking process. I have found that cutting the pumpkin into slices, placing the slices flat on a baking tray and baking them uncovered works well.

Baked pumpkin slices with a fork piercing one slice — Bake the pumpkin slices until the flesh is soft

Is canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin puree

Canned pumpkin is usually the same thing as pumpkin puree. It’s pureed pumpkin that has been canned. If you’re looking to buy canned pumpkin to use in a recipe that calls for pumpkin puree, just make sure that you don’t confuse it with pumpkin pie filling. Canned pumpkin puree should list pumpkin as the sole ingredient. On the other hand, pumpkin pie filling will contain sugar and spices in addition to pumpkin.

How long does pumpkin puree last

Pumpkin puree should last for five to seven days in the fridge. Just place it in an airtight container and label it with the date that it was made. Alternatively, you can freeze pumpkin puree in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to six months.

Pumpkin puree in a jar — This thick pumpkin puree is perfect to use in baking recipes

How to freeze puree

I freeze puree in silicone food pouches. They are handy for freezing things since they are flexible, airtight and reusable. Zip lock bags will work the same way. After sealing a pouch of puree, I place it on its side and spread the puree out into an even layer in the pouch. This allows it to freeze in a flat, rectangle shape. Freezing things in thinner layers like this makes defrosting a lot quicker than if you freeze it in one big lump.

When freezing puree for use in future baking recipes, it’s a good idea to measure it out into portions. I usually freeze puree in 1 cup (225 g) portions. That way, I know how many portions to defrost for a particular recipe. When I want to defrost, I simply leave it in the fridge overnight.

Silicone food pouch filled with pumpkin puree — Freeze any leftover pumpkin puree in a silicone food pouch

What to make with pumpkin puree

This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread without Dairy is one of my favorites. It’s sweetly spiced, moist and comes with an amazing maple glaze. You can enjoy it on its own as a healthy snack, or serve it with the glaze for a pumpkin spice dessert.