We’ve all experienced the sinking feeling that comes with realizing that we’re missing an essential component for a dish that we’re preparing, only to go around the house and find that it’s nowhere to be found. On occasion, this may need a run to the local grocery shop, but on other occasions, you will be able to make do with something that is already stashed away in the pantry.
It’s wonderful when things like that happen, so if you’re preparing a meal that calls for pumpkin, you may be wondering whether or not you can substitute pumpkin pie mix for pureed pumpkin in the recipe. If it is successful, this may save you from having to go anywhere else, so let’s investigate that possibility.
Is pumpkin pie mix an acceptable substitute for pumpkin puree in this recipe? I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is no. The completed product will be much too sweet due to the high amount of sugar that is already included in the pumpkin pie mix. Other spices and other sugars are also included in the mix. If you want the completed meal to have a sweet flavor, you may be able to limit the amount of sugar from other sources, although this strategy might not be very successful.
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Why Can’t You Use Pumpkin Pie Mix Instead of Pumpkin Puree?
Sadly, there is much too much sugar in this mixture. Pumpkin pie mix, despite the fact that it does include pumpkin, is not a suitable substitute for pumpkin puree since savory dishes often require for pumpkin puree. Your completed meal will have an unacceptable level of sweetness for consumption.
In the event that you discover that you do not have the pumpkin puree required for a dinner, there are alternative replacements you may use, which we will discuss in a moment; but, pumpkin pie mix is not an appropriate choice.
In the same vein, if you want to perform the switch in the other direction, you will need to add a substantial quantity of sugar and a few different spices to your completed pumpkin pie in order for it to taste the way it should.
What is Pumpkin Puree?
So, what exactly is included in pumpkin puree? What exactly are you attempting to imitate? As the name suggests, pumpkin puree is made entirely of winter squash and does not include any other ingredients. It has only been boiled and pulped; it has not been seasoned in any way, which makes it ideal for savory pumpkin recipes as well as those in which you prefer to add your own flavour.
It is possible that this information will be of interest to you: pumpkin puree often contains other types of winter squash. Either just miniature pumpkins or a variety of other species of winter squash may be used in the preparation of this dish. Large pumpkins, which have a reputation for having a less than stellar flavor, are used to make this dish only very seldom.
You could find canned pumpkin puree at stores (also just called canned pumpkin). This item, which can be used in a wide variety of different cuisines, is quite popular throughout the autumn season.
You may use it to make pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin soup, smoothies, milkshakes, and a wide variety of other dishes. It is moist, rich, and delicious, and many people like to use it for pumpkin pie as well since it allows them to flavor the pie to their tastes, add as much sugar and as many spices as they want, and customize the pie to their preferences.
What is Pumpkin Pie Mix?
Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie mix are almost interchangeable, with the primary distinction being in the fact that pumpkin pie mix already contains spices and a sweetener of some kind. This implies that you are not really able to change its taste, and it is best suited for use as a filling in pumpkin pies.
In most cases, it will include ingredients such as nutmeg, cloves, ginger, sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes even more. The fact that it has a propensity to be fairly sweet makes it difficult to utilize as a replacement for pumpkin puree in recipes.
You may give the combination a go even if the dish you’re working on is sweet, but the chances are high that you won’t be happy with the outcome. Although your pumpkin dish could have the proper appearance, the flavor generally won’t be as satisfying.
Naturally, if you are genuinely cooking pumpkin pie or anything sweet like a milkshake, using pumpkin pie mix can turn out all right. Remove all other sources of sugar from the recipe. Once the evaporated milk has been included into the pie mix, it should already have the desired level of sweetness, so there is no need (or desire) for more sugar.
Because of the possibility that it may not turn out properly, you should avoid making a large quantity of whatever it is that you want to create using pumpkin puree by instead utilizing pumpkin pie mix. It is preferable to go out and buy the proper ingredient when there is a lot of cooking at stake than to risk a catastrophe with so much food. This is because a disaster would affect a lot of cooking.
What Can You Substitute Pumpkin Puree With Instead?
What should you do then if you suddenly realize that you need pumpkin puree but all you have is pumpkin pie mix? What alternatives do you have?
It is important to note, however, that the success of using butternut squash or sweet potato in place of pumpkin puree is somewhat dependent on the specifics of the recipe in question. You may not even be able to discern the difference in flavor and consistency between these two varieties of squash if you use them in the same recipe.
If you make care to boil the pumpkin cubes fully and mash them afterward, you should be able to get the same silky smooth texture as pumpkin that has been canned. There is also the option of combining half pumpkin puree and half puree from another winter squash, such as sweet potato, in order to increase the volume of the finished product.
What Should You Do If You Bought the Wrong Kind of Canned Pumpkin?
Both pumpkin pie mix and pumpkin puree are available in cans labeled simply with the word “pumpkin,” making it simple to do this task. You should probably go back to the shop and get pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie mix if you made the mistake of buying pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin. Especially if you don’t have any winter squash on hand, this is your best shot for successfully completing the dish as written.
It is possible that you may not need to make the switch since you purchased pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie mix. If you have a solid recipe, you may be able to simply taste and sweeten the puree on your own. Even if the flavor won’t be quite the same, you should still be able to achieve success with this approach!
FAQs
Can I use pumpkin pie mix as pumpkin puree?
Because it will make the end meal overly sweet, pumpkin pie filling shouldn’t be used in lieu of pumpkin puree when it can be avoided. You may easily put the can away for another time when you want to create a speedy pumpkin pie.
What’s the difference between pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie mix?
What is the main difference between pumpkin that has been canned, pumpkin pie filling, and pumpkin puree? Pumpkin that has been cooked and pureed and then canned is exactly what it sounds like: canned pumpkin. The filling for the pumpkin pie is sweetened and flavored with spices such as cinnamon, clove, allspice, and ginger. Additionally, the filling is sweetened.
Is Libby’s pumpkin pie mix the same as pumpkin puree?
In addition to pumpkin puree, spices, and sugar, Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Mix also has water added to it for some reason. I have no idea why. Eggs and evaporated milk are the only other ingredients required. It is not a mortal evil to make use of pumpkin pie mix since it allows for the production of a pie that is satisfactory in most cases.
What happens if I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
Do not substitute pumpkin pie filling for pumpkin purée in this recipe.
To say the least! If you add pumpkin pie filling to a recipe for bread or muffins, you can end up with a loaf that is too sweet and lacks the appropriate level of spice. The quantity of sugar and spices in each can of pumpkin pie filling varies. Instead, you may try this: Buy pumpkin purée!
Can I use applesauce instead of pumpkin puree?
The use of applesauce as an alternative to pumpkin in baked products is a possibility. If you have a recipe for pumpkin bread but no pumpkin, you may try using smooth canned applesauce instead. Although it won’t taste anything like pumpkin, it has baking properties that are comparable to pumpkin.
Final Thoughts
In most circumstances, pumpkin pie mix cannot be substituted with pumpkin puree as the filling for the pie. It is possible that it will work if you also need to add sugar and spices (so that you may just skip them), but it will often leave a meal taste weird and with an uncomfortable level of sweetness.
Try out a variety of different kinds of winter squash, and always make sure you’re getting the right thing while you’re at the supermarket. Don’t grab the incorrect can of pumpkin puree since it is usually best to prepare your own pumpkin pie mix anyhow if that is what you want to do.