Updated on Oct. 22, 2024
Canned pumpkin puree is a fall baking essential, but are you really buying the best brand? We tested eight options to find the best can for your pumpkin pies and other fall treats.
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At Taste Recipes, we love everything pumpkin: pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars—even savory pumpkin recipes. And while these recipes run the gamut of flavor, they all start with one staple ingredient: canned pumpkin. (Yes, it’s better to bake with canned pumpkin instead of fresh pumpkin.)
Despite making all these amazing recipes, chances are you don’t think twice about what brand of pumpkin puree you grab at the store. But since many of these treats are so beloved, our Test Kitchen wants to make sure that they taste their absolute best. How do we do that? With a blind taste test, of course!
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In this taste test, our Test Kitchen pros found that the biggest name in the pumpkin game does, in fact, make the best canned pumpkin on the market. Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin is a favorite among our culinary crew.
Libby’s canned pumpkin has a really rich orange color that is quintessential fall. This deep shade is perfect for giving recipes like this copycat Starbucks pumpkin bread, gluten-free pumpkin bread and spiced pumpkin bars their appetizing appearance.
As for the taste, Shannon Norris in the Test Kitchen explains that “this brand has more depth of flavor than the others.” A scoop of Libby’s canned pumpkin has “great pumpkin flavor: earthy with a tiny bit of sweetness,” according to the Test Kitchen’s Josh Rink.
You’ll also find that Libby’s pumpkin is exceptionally smooth. There are no visible fibers in this can of pumpkin—just a velvety smooth pumpkin puree.
Also, check these Pumpkin Dessert Recipes to use up those cans of pumpkin.
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