Canned Pumpkin Is 10x More Flavorful When Paired With This Spice (Hint: It's Not Cinnamon)

When autumn rolls around and pumpkin everything starts trending in the culinary world, there are some spices that home cooks normally reach for. The seasonings that make up pumpkin spice blend (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice) are ubiquitous in pumpkin recipes, which tend to be sweet in nature, but that list is by no means exhaustive. This fall, we challenge you to reach past the traditional warming spices and grab your cayenne pepper.

Cayenne, a member of the chile family, complements pumpkin in a way that you might not necessarily expect. This chile carries a Scoville rating of 30,000 to 50,000, meaning that it's hotter than jalapeño or poblano peppers. At the same time, its flavor profile is "cleaner," meaning it doesn't lean towards fruitiness or floral aspects. In its own way, cayenne is definitely a warming spice ... meaning that it marries with pumpkin's earthiness and slight sweetness naturally without competing against the squash's mellow appeal. Utilizing cayenne pepper in pumpkin recipes doesn't necessarily have to result in a pungent heat bomb; you can use just a hint to infuse your cooking with mild, craveable spice that doesn't offend sensitive palates.

We've talked before about how unique spices can give your dishes pizazz, and cayenne in pumpkin opens up a world of flavor that's also tremendously versatile. Pumpkin is already a kitchen ninja, working well in sweet, savory, and/or spicy recipes — when you get creative with pumpkin and cayenne, you unlock all sorts of possibilities. From appetizers to baked desserts, your fall cooking is going to hit a new level.

For many foodies stuck in a rut, canned pumpkin is synonymous with pumpkin pie. Don't get us wrong — pumpkin pie is dramatically enhanced with just a pinch of cayenne. This holiday favorite gets an invigorating facelift with a smidge of heat, and you might find that it really enhances the cinnamon and nutmeg inherent in this beloved dessert. Likewise, your other favorite sweet uses for canned pumpkin, like pumpkin spice cookies, brookies, and fluffy pumpkin bread, all benefit from a touch of heat. This leans into the popular "swicy" trend of sweet plus spicy, and it's a versatile change-up that any home cook can execute without an explicit recipe. With a tiny sprinkle, the cayenne plays up the sweetness and doesn't compete with it. Add more, however, and you get that pleasant burn that distinguishes the chile ... perfect for the spice fiends you love!

Don't, however, discount the many savory preparations for canned pumpkin, which are far more numerous than many people bank on. We have a great Halloween pumpkin soup recipe that would shine with a dose of cayenne. On that same note, pumpkin hummus is packed in fiber and tastes delish with a little kick to it. We also adore canned pumpkin in pasta, whether it's a pumpkin mac and cheese (which you can make with boxed mac for convenience!) or a homemade sauce starring this orange vegetable. Start thinking of cayenne as a partner for pumpkin in all your preparations, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the tasty results.