fbpx

Pumpkin Everything for Halloween

These pumpkin treats are perfect throughout fall or any time of year. 
[additional-authors]
October 23, 2024

Halloween is just around the corner. However, these pumpkin treats are perfect throughout fall or any time of year. 

Mandie Davis’ pumpkin challah, inspired by Mandylicious’ challah recipe, is a blend of cozy fall flavors with a hint of sweetness that “feels like a warm hug,” Davis, founder and CEO of Worthy of Love, told The Journal. She added, ”I love how the pumpkin twist gives it that babka-like richness, perfect for sharing and savoring with family and friends.” 

Pumpkin Challah

Dough
4 1/2 cups of flour
1 1/2 cups of water
1 1/2 Tbsp of yeast
1/3 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp salt 

Combine all dough ingredients in a large bowl and knead by hand for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. 

 Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours). 

Pumpkin Filling
1 can pumpkin puree
1/2 package of vanilla pudding mix
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
3 Tbsp brown sugar 

In a medium bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, vanilla pudding mix, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar until well blended. 

Shaping and Baking 

After the dough has risen, divide it in half and roll each half into a large rectangle. 

Spread the pumpkin filling evenly over each rectangle. 

Roll each rectangle lengthwise into a log. Slice each log down the middle lengthwise and twist the two halves together. 

Place the twisted loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them rest for about 15 minutes. 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the inside temperature reaches at least 190°F. 


Judy Elbaum’s Pumpkin Streusel Squares are the perfect sweet treat!

“They’re easy to make, dairy-free and delicious.” Elbaum, founder of Leave it to Bubbe, told the Journal.

Parve Pumpkin Streusel Squares

1 can (15.5ounce) solid pack pumpkin
12 ounces evaporated soy milk (directions below)
3 eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp salt
1 package (18.25 ounce) yellow cake mix
½ cup margarine, melted
1 ½ cups pecans, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. 

In a large mixing bowl combine pumpkin, evaporated soy milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt.  Whisk together all ingredients well.  

Pour pumpkin mixture into your prepared baking pan.  

Combine cake mix, margarine and pecans in a large bowl. Use a fork or your hands to form coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs over the filling.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven, and place on a cooling rack to cool.  

Makes about 20 bars.  

*To make evaporated soy milk, place 6 cups of soy milk into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook until the 6 cups are reduced to 2 cups. You will need 1 and ½ cups for the recipe and will have ½ cup left over for another use.  


Chef Lior Lev Sercarz’ herb and spice pumpkin seed recipe brings together a variety of flavors, which you combine together yourself or get the chef’s Shabazi blend.

“The Shabazi is one of my favorite blends because it combines so many great flavors that I enjoy, such as chilies, cilantro and garlic,” Lev Sercarz, owner of La Bôite and author of “A Middle Eastern Pantry,” told the Journal.

“The Shabazi is one of my favorite blends because it combines so many great flavors that I enjoy, such as chilies, cilantro and garlic.” – Chef Lior Lev Sercarz

While you can certainly enjoy these pumpkin seeds as a snack, they also add a great finishing crunch to the top of a salad or a burst of flavor to seasonal vegetables.

“Although this recipe can be enjoyed throughout the year, most people don’t really think about roasting pumpkin seeds until the fall when they are so prevalent,” Lev Sercarz said. “This method can be used with other seeds as well.”

Herb & Spice Pumpkin Seeds  

Servings/Yield: 1 cup 

1 cup (150g) raw, unseasoned pumpkin seeds,
1 tsp Shabazi spice blend OR a custom blend of cilantro, chili, garlic and lemon
¼ tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 300°F.

In a small mixing bowl, mix all ingredients to combine well.

Pour out onto a baking tray (parchment optional) in a single layer and bake for 10 minutes or until just golden brown, turning and stirring halfway.

Remove the tray of finished seeds from the oven and cool completely.

Store in an airtight container or jar.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Antisemitism, Deicide, and Revolution

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops did a remarkable thing: It issued a memorandum to all American Catholic bishops urging them to prepare their teachings carefully during this Easter period and ensure that they accurately present the Church’s positive teachings about Jews.

Chametz Is More than Crumbs in the Corners of our Homes

Chametz is also something that gathers in the corners of our being, the spiritual chametz that, like the physical particles we gather the night before Passover, can infect, wither, influence and sabotage us as we engage with others.

Alpine Flavors—a Crunchy Granola Recipe

Every Passover, I prepare a truly delicious gluten-free granola. I use lots of nuts and seeds (pistachios, walnuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds) and dried fruits (apricots, dates and cranberries).

Pesach Reflections

How does the Exodus story, Judaism’s foundational narrative of freedom, speak to the present? We asked local leaders, including rabbis, educators and podcasters, to weigh in.

Rosner’s Domain | Be Skeptical of Skeptics, Too

Whoever risks a decisive or semi-decisive prediction of the campaign’s end (and there is a long list of such figures on the Israeli side as well as the American side) is not demonstrating wisdom but rather a lack of seriousness.

When We Can No Longer Agree on Who Is Pharaoh

The Seder asks us to remain present to the tension between competing fears and obligations. It does not require choosing one lesson over the other, but rather, it creates space for us to articulate our concerns and listen to the fears and hopes that shape others’ views.

Pesach at War. Leaving Fast, Leaving Slow.

Freedom, it would seem, is erratic; it happens in fits and starts, three steps forward and two steps back. Freedom is a leap into the unknown, driven by a dream. We will figure it out in time.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.