This is like dessert in a cup. Don’t let the name ‘smoothie’ make you think otherwise.
I like my smoothies sweet, rich, and thick.
If you’re looking for a way to make something that tastes like drinkable pumpkin pie filling, then this is the hot ticket.
It incorporates what I think are the “good parts” of pumpkin pie: the filling and the whipped topping
Minus the boring part: the pie crust
I find pumpkin pie crusts tend to be so lackluster and bland unless they happen to be made with graham cracker crumbs (or almond flour + lots of agave which is how I make my Pumpkin Pie (no-bake, Vegan, GF) but I digress.
Back to this smoothie…
Note the darker part near the top of the smoothie underneath the Cool Whip, that’s caramel sauce. Crazy good.
For those who don’t like pumpkin pie, then make this smoothie instead. Rum optional but encouraged on that one. You could probably put rum in today’s smoothie, too. Hmmm.
For the pumpkin lovers and hoarders, this smoothie is for you.
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Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
1/2 c pumpkin puree (ideally freeze 1/2 c pumpkin puree either in a container or if you want to get fancy in an ice cube tray, but previously frozen pumpkin puree is encouraged)
1 medium banana (previously frozen, in 1-2 inch chunks)
1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup, or to taste (optional)
1 to 2 tbsp, caramel sauce, or to taste (optional, and you can add it to the mixture or drizzle over the top of the finished smoothie)
1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar, or to taste (optional)
1/8 tsp pinch pumpkin pie spice
1/8 tsp cinnamon (to taste, optional)
pinch of other seasonings such as nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, etc. (to taste, optional)
1/8 tsp vanilla extract (to taste, optional)
splash of milk, cream, nut milk, water (optional and only use as needed if you need something to help get the blending process going if your mixture is too thick otherwise)
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a Vita-Mix or blender of your choice and blend. Serve immediately. Optional: Garnish with Cool Whip, caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon; add a handful of granola to the top, or drizzle the top with nut butter like almond, sunflower seed butter, or peanut butter.
Notes:
I didn’t use all of the sweeteners but am providing options/suggestions, i.e. maple, caramel sauce, brown sugar, and Cool Whip. Do as your taste palate dictates.
You will notice lots of “to taste, optional” in this recipe because all spices, seasonings, and amounts are to taste and pumpkin pie and the spices and sweetness levels associated with it vary widely. Do as your taste palate and preferences dictate. I am sharing the recipe based on what I did and liked.
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This smoothie will keep you full for a good, long while
And you can convince yourself this is “healthy” because it has the name ‘smoothie’ in the recipe title.
All kidding aside, if you hold or reduce the sweeteners, the caramel sauce, and the whipped topping (below), it’s actually pretty healthy. Pumpkin puree and bananas are a healthy starting place. It’s what you do with them next. Ahem.
It’s everything else you pile on that takes things into dessert-like territory, which I happen to enjoy.
And if you’d prefer a hot dessert a hot pumpkin beverage, try a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (vegan, GF)
Want to eat your pumpkin dessert rather than drink it?
I gotcha.
Try Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (vegan, GF)
Clearly, I’ve jumped on the pumpkin bandwagon in all forms this year. I even have a Pumpkin Board on Pinterest.
Christmas baking season better hurry up and come so I can phase out pumpkin and phase in peppermint.
Questions:
1. Do you like pumpkin pie/pumpkin? Caramel Sauce? Cool Whip?
Yeppers. I like them all.
I didn’t used to be the biggest pumpkin lover but these Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oat Bars (Vegan, GF) were the nail in the coffin that sealed the pumpkin’ lovin’ for me.
Those, or the homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (Vegan, GF), did the trick.
And caramel, hello. Love it. Caramel Apple Bars
or Homemade Dark Rum Caramel Sauce. Get drunk and get your sweet tooth handled all in one
And Cool Whip. Oh, I love you so. I actually have a recipe up my sleeve with it to be posted soon.
2. Are you sick of pumpkin yet?
Sorry if you are or were never that big of a fan to begin with.
It is everywhere, that’s for sure. But hey, it’s only 6 weeks or so of the year and then peppermint starts. <– Ready for that?
Thanks for the Not Nuts! Giveaway entries
Oh wow, caramel sauce. You really shouldn’t have put that idea in my head :)
Sigh.
I see pumpkin all over blogland and it just makes me so happy. Pumpkin is one of the very best parts about autumn. Can’t wait to test this out! :D
I was fisrt dissapointed to see the smoothies because I was hopping to find something comforting since it has been raining in here for the last 3 days, so then I rolled down and I was excited to see the pumpkin latte recipe and the peanut butter bars! I can’t wait to make them, seat on my couch, watch a movie and enjoy my hot latte and a bar :) thanks for the recipes!
I like pumpkin, but not in the huge way that most people do. Although I do love pumpkin recipes because it gets me all excited for the holidays!
Yum on all counts! I’m excited to try this. I may have skipped a holiday, because I’ve already entered Peppermint territory. Tried my hand last night at some homemade peppermint patties and I’ve had “Silver Bells” playing in my head ever since…
I’m running out to the store right now to grab pumpkin puree!
I have been obsessed with making pumpkin smoothies in the morning. Actually I am obsessed with anything pumpkin right now, this morning I made some homemade pumpkin spice granola. The house smelled amazing! Every fall, I buy as many pie pumpkins as I can, to bake, puree and freeze so I can have fresh pumpkin puree (instead of canned) all winter long.
it is funny how ingredients explode in the blogosphere! I will not be over pumpkin until I’ve had my giant slice of traditional pumpkin pie {with lots of fresh whipped cream} on Thanksgiving. I look forward to it all year :) Your smoothie looks wonderful!
Love pumpkin! Last night I made pudding using canned sweet potatoes and coconut milk–cinnamon, p. pie spice, vanilla and agave….mmmmmmm Not a fan of Cool Whip…..gotta have real whipped cream. If there’s isn’t time to whip it, there’s RediWhip–sometimes I am a Philistine and squirt it right in my pie hole….sometimes I am more civilized and squirt it on a spoon first :) Carmel….oh yeah….Rum- oh yes! Must try your pumpkin peanut butter bars.
your pudding sounds great. enjoy the pumpkin peanut butter bars if you make them!
I loooooove all the pumpkin smoothies that pop up this time of year– your version looks great!!
for a split second I thought the cinnamon in the picture was a bottle of olive oil :D
I love how you always give options!
There are a couple of your recipes I want to try… which one to start with??
well just LMK if you make anything & your thoughts!
I will never tire of pumpkin… well, at least not until November rolls around and my obsession becomes sweet potatoes ;). This smoothie looks delicious, and it’s going straight to the top of my “to-make” list!
The addition of caramel is brilliant! Makes it even better!
Love!
Ok, I think carmel sauce is the key ingredient here! Yum!!
glad you enjoyed your pumpkin creation, averie!
i have yet to have any pumpkin this fall. we do an unconventional thanksgiving celebration, and pumpkin pie is not a part of it! i love pie crust the best! but only my mom’s whole wheat homemade pie crust – others are too dry. i can take or leave pumpkin, caramel, whipped cream…what can i say, i am a chocolate chip girl!
great photos!
my grandma was the only one who could pull off non-dry pie crust in our family
The smoothie sounds amazing!
And just what I was looking for to use up the leftover pumpkin from the Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal bars!
I am new to liking pumpkin, was never a fan until a few years ago.
Thanks for the great recipes!
your blog is fantastic, btw! I was poking around it and so glad you made the Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal bars!