Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Get ready to fall head over heels for these delightful Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops! Here are four reasons why this recipe is about to become your new favorite:

Unbeatably Adorable: Let’s be honest, who can resist a treat shaped like a smiling Jack o’Lantern on a stick? These mini pies are Instagram-ready and perfect for charming guests of all ages.
Irresistible Flavor Fusion: Imagine the warm, comforting taste of spiced pumpkin pie, elevated with a silky-smooth, creamy cream cheese filling, all encased in a flaky, golden crust. It’s pumpkin pie perfection, but even better!
Surprisingly Easy & Fun: Don’t let their fancy appearance fool you – these pops are a breeze to make! With simple steps and the help of a ready-made pie crust, you’ll be whipping up these festive treats in no time. Plus, cutting out the faces is a joy for everyone involved!
Perfect Party Handhelds: Forget messy slices of pie! These individual Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops are the ultimate grab-and-go dessert for Halloween parties, fall gatherings, or even a cozy evening treat. No plates or forks needed!

Forget the ghosts and ghouls, because this Halloween, the real magic happens in your kitchen! Are you ready to conjure up a treat that’s not just wickedly delicious but also unbelievably cute? Prepare yourself for the enchanting world of Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops! Imagine sweet, spiced pumpkin filling mingling with creamy, dreamy cream cheese, all tucked inside a crispy, golden crust, and adorably shaped like your favorite spooky season icon. These aren’t just desserts; they’re tiny edible works of art that promise to bring smiles, screams (of delight!), and perhaps even a few “oohs” and “aahs” to your festive table. So grab your apron, unleash your inner pastry wizard, and let’s create some Halloween enchantment!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather your magic potion ingredients for these delightful Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops:

🎃 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
🧁 1/4 cup light brown sugar
🧂 1/4 teaspoon salt
🌶️ 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
🧀 4 oz cream cheese, softened
🥚 2 eggs (divided: 1 whole egg + 1 yolk for filling, 1 egg white for egg wash, or simply beat 2 eggs and divide)
🍦 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🥧 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry (14 oz), chilled
✨ 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (for sprinkling)

Step-by-Step Directions: Crafting Your Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops

Let’s get baking! Follow these easy steps to bring your adorable Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops to life:

Preheat & Prep: Begin by preheating your oven to a warm 400°F (200°C) and position an oven rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, then give it a light spray with nonstick spray to ensure nothing sticks.
Mix the Pumpkin Base: In a medium bowl, combine your pumpkin puree, light brown sugar, salt, and fragrant pumpkin pie spice. Give it a good stir until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Cook the Filling: Transfer this pumpkin mixture to a saucepan. Cook it over medium-high heat, stirring continuously. This step is crucial for thickening the filling and deepening its flavor. Continue cooking for about 6-8 minutes, or until the mixture is noticeably thicker.
Finish the Filling: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Now, stir in your softened cream cheese, half of the beaten eggs (reserve the other half for the egg wash!), and the vanilla extract. Mix vigorously until the filling is wonderfully smooth and creamy. Set this aside to cool slightly.
Roll & Cut Your Crust: On a lightly floured surface, unroll your chilled refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry. Using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter (about 3-4 inches), cut out an even number of pumpkin shapes. These will be the tops and bottoms of your pies. Carefully place half of these cutouts onto your prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.
Add the Sticks: For each bottom pumpkin cutout on the baking sheet, gently insert a popsicle stick. Make sure the stick goes about halfway into the pumpkin shape, with the longer end hanging out from the bottom. This ensures a sturdy pop!
Spoon in the Filling: Take a small spoonful (about 1-2 teaspoons) of your delicious pumpkin-cream cheese filling and place it right in the center of each pumpkin cutout on the baking sheet. Leave a small border around the edges.
Create Jack o’Lantern Faces: With the remaining pumpkin cutouts, use a small knife or tiny cookie cutters to carefully cut out triangular eyes and a spooky, happy, or silly mouth. These will be the “faces” of your Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops!
Assemble & Seal: Gently place the pumpkin tops (with the faces cut out) over the filled pumpkin bottoms on the baking sheet. Press down firmly around the edges. Then, use the tines of a fork to crimp and seal the edges all the way around, ensuring the filling stays put during baking.
Egg Wash & Sparkle: Lightly beat the remaining half of your egg. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the tops of all your assembled Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops with this egg wash. This gives them a beautiful golden sheen. Finally, sprinkle them generously with turbinado sugar for an extra sparkly, crunchy topping.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Pop your baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crusts are gloriously golden brown and the filling is just set.
Cool & Display: Once baked, remove the pops from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. This allows them to firm up. For a truly festive display, stand them upright in a jar filled with sugar – it looks like they’re popping out of a pumpkin patch!

Creative Ways to Present and Serve Your Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops

These adorable Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops are already showstoppers, but with a little creativity, you can elevate their presentation even further! Here are some fun ways to serve them:

The Classic Sugar Jar Display: As suggested in the recipe, fill a tall glass jar or a small decorative pumpkin with granulated sugar and stand the pops upright. This creates a charming “pumpkin patch” effect that’s perfect for a centerpiece.
Pumpkin Patch Platter: Arrange the pops on a large platter alongside some autumn leaves, miniature gourds, or small decorative pumpkins. You can even sprinkle a bit of crushed graham cracker crumbs to resemble “dirt.”
Drizzle & Dip: Offer small bowls of delicious drizzles like caramel sauce, melted dark chocolate, or a light cream cheese glaze (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla). Guests can dip their pops for an extra layer of flavor.
With Whipped Cream: While they’re handheld, a dollop of fresh whipped cream on the side can turn these pops into a more traditional dessert experience. You could even add a sprinkle of cinnamon!
Warm & Cozy: Briefly warm a few pops in the oven (if desired) and serve them alongside a mug of hot apple cider, spiced tea, or a pumpkin spice latte for the ultimate autumn comfort.
Party Favors: Individually wrap each cooled pop in a small cellophane bag with a festive ribbon. They make delightful take-home treats for your Halloween party guests!
Kids’ Decorating Station: For a fun activity, bake the pops plain (without the cut-out faces) and set up a station with edible markers, small candy pieces (for eyes/mouths), and icing. Let kids decorate their own Jack o’Lanterns!

Storage and Shelf Life

To keep your delightful Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops fresh and tasty, proper storage is key:

Room Temperature: Due to the cream cheese in the filling, these pops are best enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator. They can sit out at room temperature for up to 2 hours, but for longer periods, chilling is recommended.
Refrigeration: Once completely cooled, place your Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops in an airtight container. Arrange them in a single layer if possible, or separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating (Optional): If you prefer them warm, you can briefly reheat chilled pops in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as the filling can bubble out.
Freezing: While technically possible, freezing baked pie pops is not always recommended as the crust can become slightly soggy upon thawing, and the filling texture might change. If you choose to freeze, wrap each pop individually in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before gently reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use homemade pie crust instead of refrigerated?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade pie crust recipe, it will work wonderfully for these Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops. Just ensure it’s well-chilled before rolling and cutting.
What if I don’t have a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter?
No problem! You can use a round cookie cutter (or even the rim of a glass) and then simply cut a small stem at the top of each circle with a knife. You can still cut the Jack o’Lantern faces into the top layer.
Can I make these Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops ahead of time?
Yes, you can! You can prepare the filling a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also assemble and bake the pops up to 1-2 days ahead of your event and store them as directed above.
How do I prevent the popsicle sticks from burning in the oven?
Popsicle sticks are designed to withstand oven temperatures for short baking times. As long as they are inserted properly and not directly touching heating elements, they should be fine. The parchment paper also provides some insulation.
Can I substitute other cheeses for cream cheese?
Cream cheese provides a unique tang and creaminess that is essential to this recipe’s flavor profile. Substituting it might drastically change the taste and texture of your Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops, so it’s not recommended.
Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?
Yes! Simply use a gluten-free refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I use fresh pumpkin puree?
Yes, if you have fresh pumpkin puree, make sure it’s thick and well-drained. If it’s too watery, it might make the filling loose. Canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling) is often preferred for consistency.
Why did my filling not thicken on the stovetop?
Ensure you’re using medium-high heat and stirring constantly. The filling needs to cook for the full 6-8 minutes (or slightly longer) to allow some of the moisture to evaporate and for the starches to thicken. If it’s still too thin, cook for a few more minutes.
Can I make these Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops without the sticks?
Absolutely! If you prefer mini hand pies without the stick, simply skip the step of inserting the popsicle sticks. They’ll still be adorable and delicious!
How many Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops does this recipe yield?
The recipe states 8 servings. Depending on the size of your pumpkin cookie cutter and how efficiently you cut the shapes from the pie crust, you can typically get 8-12 pops from one standard sheet of refrigerated pie crust.

Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops

Sweet, spiced pumpkin filling with creamy cheese, crispy crust, adorable design.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings 8 pops

Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Nonstick Spray
Saucepan
Bowl
Popsicle Sticks
Fork

Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4 oz cream cheese
2 eggs divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 sheet refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry 14 oz
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F, placing the rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick spray.
Mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl.
Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring until it thickens, about 6-8 minutes.
Remove from heat, then stir in cream cheese, half of the beaten eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
Roll out the chilled pie crust and cut out pumpkin shapes. Place them on the prepared parchment.
Insert a popsicle stick into the center of each pumpkin shape, with the stick halfway up and the long end hanging out.
Add a spoonful of filling into each pumpkin cutout.
Cut small triangles for eyes and a mouth to create a jack-o’-lantern face on the pumpkin tops.
Place the tops on the filled pumpkins, pressing edges with a fork to seal.
Brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Cool on the sheet, then display in a jar of sugar for a festive look.

Notes

These adorable Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops are a perfect treat for Halloween! Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking.

Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 150
Total Carbs: 20g
Net Carbs: 15g
Fats: 7g
Protein: 3g

Best Ever Jack o’Lantern Mini Pumpkin Pie Pops