What to Do with Leftover Pumpkin Pie Filling

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5 from 3 votes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 24 cookies

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If you’re looking what to do with leftover pumpkin pie filling, I have 23 great recipes to get you using up that delicious pumpkin flavor!

Leftover pumpkin pie filling recipes: pumpkin cheesecake cookies, pumpkin bread, and ice cream
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It’s pumpkin season and sometimes you just have extra pumpkin filling on hand! If you need to find other uses for pumpkin pie filling, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve not only put together a list of what to do with leftover pumpkin pie filling, I’ve included how to use it in each individual recipe, even if it normally calls for pumpkin puree.

If you want the delicious flavors of pumpkin pie, but made into something else with the leftover filling on hand, you’re going to love these recipes!

They range from delicious desserts to savory dinners and even some simple ways to make smoothies and coffee!

Feel free to use homemade pumpkin pie filling or just the Libby’s store bought version!

And, if you are looking for what to do with leftover pumpkin puree, these recipes will work too! They all use less than a can of pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie filling!

What is the Difference Between Pumpkin Puree and Pumpkin Pie Filling?

Pumpkin puree is pure pumpkin (or squash). Think of it like mashed pumpkin in a can. No spices or flavors except pumpkin. It’s boring and basic, and you’ll need more flavors before you eat it.

Pumpkin Pie Filling already has all the spices added, like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg inside. Think of it as the actual filling in a traditional pumpkin pie. It’s already seasoned and ready to go.

How to Use Pumpkin Pie Filling in Recipes That Call For Pumpkin Puree

This one is simple. Omit the spices in the recipe! If the recipe calls for cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, or cloves, remove them from the recipe and use the basics like flour, sugar, and eggs.

I’ve included which ingredients to omit when using these pumpkin pie filling recipes to still get the best flavors.

Keep in mind when using pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree you have no control over the spices.

When you can, opt for pumpkin puree if the recipe calls for it.

Leftover Pumpkin Pie Filling Recipes

23 downright delicious ways to use leftover pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie filling!

5 from 3 votes

23 Leftover Pumpkin Pie Filling Recipes

Easy and delicious recipes to use less than a can of pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie filling including these Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
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Ingredients 

FOR THE PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES

  • 1 stick, ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • ¼ cup pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs, divided
  • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

FOR THE CHEESECAKE FROSTING

  • 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie filling
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions 

FOR THE PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES

  • Preheat the oven to 350F and line a large baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper. 
  • Add the softened butter and light brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy– about 2 minutes. 
  • Next, add the pumpkin pie filling, egg, and vanilla. Mix again until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. 
  • Next, add 1 ¼ cups of graham cracker crumbs, along with the flour, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and baking soda. Mix just until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated– you don’t want to overmix! 
  • Scoop out 2 tablespoon sized portions and roll them into smooth balls. 
  • In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ½ cup graham cracker crumbs and ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Roll the cookie dough balls in the graham cracker crumbs and then place them on the parchment lined baking sheet (make sure to place them at least 2” apart). Press each dough ball into a ½” thick disc. 
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or just until the edges of the cookies are set. For chewy cookies, make sure not to overbake! 
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. When the cookies are cool, make the cheesecake frosting (below).

FOR THE CHEESECAKE FROSTING

  • Add the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and pumpkin pie mix to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until well combined– about 1 minute. 
  • With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla extract. 
  • Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and whip until the frosting is light and fluffy– about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. 
  • Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with your choice of tip (I’m using a Wilton 12). 
  • When the cookies are cool, pipe the frosting over the cookies and sprinkle with any remaining graham cracker-pumpkin pie spice mixture. Enjoy immediately. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 325g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 115g | Saturated Fat: 35g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 73g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 273mg | Sodium: 2781mg | Fiber: 27g | Sugar: 147g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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Hi, I'm Samantha!

Welcome to Everyday Family Cooking. I’m Samantha, a stay-at-home-mom of 2. I’m here to make cooking easier for your whole family and help you find new recipes to put in your regular rotation!

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10 Comments

  1. Cindy Rainey says:

    5 stars
    This is an amazing resource! I never know what to do with a can I didn’t quite use. Thanks

  2. Allyssa says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this idea! it’s really helpful and easy to make! Will surely have this one again. Highly recommended!

  3. Michele says:

    Thank you so much for sharing these ideas! I never know what to do with the leftover pumpkin so this was very helpful. I made the Air Fryer Pumpkin Twists, they were amazing! I will check out these other recipes too!

  4. Swathi says:

    5 stars
    love this pumpkin pie filling

  5. Brandi says:

    This post should be titled what to do with leftover canned pumpkin (which is very helpful because I always have left over canned pumpkin) not what to do with left over pumpkin pie filling. For the first time ever I needed ideas for what to do with leftover pumpkin pie filling, which is why I went through this post. All of the recipes, however, call for canned pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling which was super disappointing.

    1. Samantha says:

      Hi Brandi, the top of the post includes how to adjust recipes to use the pumpkin pie filling for those that list pumpkin puree in the recipe. I hope that helps!

  6. KimS says:

    I’m a little confused, too. I agree with Brandi. My can of pumpkin pie filling has pumpkin, WATER, SUGAR,SALT and spices. Ingredients in that order…doesn’t seem like it would be a direct substitution (for pumpkin and spices) in a lot of recipes.

    1. Samantha says:

      Hi Kim, each recipe individually notates what spices to remove and what to do under each recipe. You are correct. It’s not an exact substitution, which is why I spent the time writing down what the substitutions would be and what would be omitted when using it. Please use that when deciding what recipe to make if the recipe calls for pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.

  7. Trisha says:

    I made a pumpkin pie, and used leftover dough to make little pies with some of my leftover filling, but I still have a bunch of filling left over.
    That is, not pumpkin puree; not pumpkin puree with spices; but the stuff you actually pour into a crust to make a pumpkin pie, the stuff that sets into a custard, which contains eggs, heavy cream and cornstarch. Do you have any recipes to use that up?

    1. Samantha says:

      Hi Trisha, since your specific leftover contains eggs and heavy cream, it can alter any recipe differently as each one has its own amount of eggs, cream, cornstarch, etc. I only recommend using these recipes for ones with pumpkin pie mix that you would typically get in the can or a homemade version of that. For yours, I would recommend something like mini pie crusts to make individual pumpkin pies so it will set and cook correctly.