If you’ve been craving that cozy fall flavor all year round, you’re going to absolutely adore this Spiced Pumpkin Truffles Recipe. I promise these little bites are pure magic—rich, creamy, and just packed with that perfect blend of pumpkin and warm spices. Whether it’s your first time making pumpkin treats or you’re a seasoned fan, these truffles are unbelievably easy and totally worth every bite. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to indulgence every autumn (and honestly, beyond!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Baking Required: These truffles come together in no time and without heating up your kitchen.
- Perfect Fall Flavor: Pumpkin puree combined with warm spices creates that nostalgic cozy feeling.
- Fun and Fancy Appearance: The little pumpkin shape and cinnamon sugar coating make these a showstopper.
- Great for Gifting or Parties: They store well and travel beautifully in a cute tin or box.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve found that these simple ingredients work together harmoniously to create a smooth, spiced pumpkin flavor that’s sweet but not overpowering. A quick tip—make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best texture and authentic taste.
- White chocolate: Choose a good-quality white chocolate for a creamy base without any gritty texture; it melts smoothly and blends wonderfully with pumpkin.
- Pure pumpkin puree: It’s key to use pure pumpkin—not the sweetened pie filling—so your truffles aren’t too sweet.
- Powdered sugar: Helps give the truffle dough that smooth sweetness and aids in binding the ingredients.
- Pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon: This is where that warm spice magic happens. If you prefer just cinnamon, that works beautifully too.
- Graham cracker crumbs: Adds subtle crunch and body to the truffle dough, plus that classic fall flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Combined with cinnamon to coat the outside, it gives a perfect little sweet crunch.
- Mini chocolate chips (optional): These make adorable pumpkin stems and add a bit of extra texture and chocolatey goodness.
Variations
I love playing around with these truffles depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to tweak the spices or coatings to make them your own little masterpiece!
- Nutty Twist: Sometimes I fold in finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for a delightful crunch that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin.
- Chocolate Coating: If you’re feeling decadent, dip the rolled truffles in melted dark or milk chocolate and let them set for an extra-special treat.
- Spice Up the Flavor: Try adding a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg alongside the cinnamon for a more complex spice profile.
- Make It Vegan: Use dairy-free white chocolate and coconut sugar to keep things plant-based without sacrificing flavor.
How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Truffles Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Magic
Start by gently melting your white chocolate—either in short bursts in the microwave, stirring between each, or over a double boiler to avoid scorching. I like to let it cool for about 5 to 10 minutes afterward because adding hot chocolate directly to pumpkin puree can cause it to seize or clump, which is no fun to deal with.
Step 2: Mix the Pumpkin Base
In a large bowl, combine the pure pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, and your pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. I discovered this trick when I first made the recipe—mixing the spices and sugar into the pumpkin first helps distribute the flavor evenly and gives you a smooth, even dough.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Pour your slightly cooled melted chocolate into the pumpkin mixture and stir carefully until fully incorporated. Then add the graham cracker crumbs and fold gently but thoroughly. You’ll want a thick, soft dough—if it feels too wet, a little more graham crumbs can help firm it up.
Step 4: Chill Out
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. This chill time is essential—it lets the dough firm up, making it so much easier to scoop and roll without sticky fingers! I always remind friends not to skip this step; it really makes a difference in texture and handling.
Step 5: Roll and Coat
Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Then scoop out tablespoon-sized pieces of the chilled dough, rolling them between your palms to form smooth balls. Drop each ball into the cinnamon sugar and roll to coat completely. It creates that lovely sweet and spicy crust that’s so addictive.
Step 6 (Optional): Pumpkin Perfection
For the cutest touch, press gently on the sides of each truffle with a toothpick or the back of a knife to create vertical pumpkin ridges. Then press a mini chocolate chip into the top as a stem. My family goes crazy for these—they’re almost too pretty to eat, but just barely!
Keep all your truffles in the fridge until ready to serve. They hold up nicely and stay fresh!
Pro Tips for Making Spiced Pumpkin Truffles Recipe
- Cool the Chocolate Well: Letting the white chocolate cool a bit before mixing it ensures your truffle dough stays smooth without lumps.
- Chill for Easy Rolling: Don’t rush the chilling step! Your truffle dough becomes much easier to handle and rolls beautifully when cold.
- Use Fresh Spices: I always keep my pumpkin pie spice fresh for the boldest flavor; stale spice won’t give you that dynamic warmth.
- Avoid Oversoaking: Since the dough is delicate, don’t let it sit out too long at room temperature after rolling to keep the shape firm.
How to Serve Spiced Pumpkin Truffles Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I usually keep it simple and classic—just the cinnamon sugar coating and a mini chocolate chip stem. Sometimes, I sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible gold dust for a festive shimmer. It’s such a fun little detail that makes these truffles stand out especially during holiday gatherings.
Side Dishes
These truffles pair beautifully with a hot cup of chai tea or dark coffee. If you’re serving at a party, a spiced apple cider or even a creamy latte complements the flavors perfectly. Think of them as a little pumpkin dessert bite that’s just right alongside warm drinks.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite ways to present these truffles is in a pretty box lined with parchment, layered in little cupcake liners, or arranged on a rustic wooden board with fall leaves and small pumpkins as décor. For Thanksgiving or Halloween parties, they also double as adorable edible place cards by attaching each truffle to a card with a guest’s name.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Spiced Pumpkin Truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay perfectly fresh and maintain their soft, spiced flavor for up to 1 week—though honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead for a big event, freezing is a lifesaver. I freeze the rolled truffles on a baking sheet first until solid, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag. When ready, just thaw them overnight in the fridge. The texture stays lovely, and the flavors even deepen with a little time.
Reheating
No real reheating is needed since these are best served chilled. But if you prefer a softer melt-in-your-mouth texture, just leave them at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. It brings out the creamy white chocolate and spiced pumpkin notes perfectly.
FAQs
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Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree in this Spiced Pumpkin Truffles Recipe?
It’s best to stick with pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, which can throw off the flavor balance and texture of the truffles. Pure pumpkin lets you control the sweetness and spice perfectly.
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What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice—can I substitute?
Absolutely! Pumpkin pie spice is just a blend of warm spices, so you can swap it with ground cinnamon alone or mix cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to your taste. This recipe is very forgiving and lets you customize the spice level.
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How long do these Spiced Pumpkin Truffles last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the truffles stay fresh for up to one week. For longer storage, freezing is a great option, and they keep well for up to a month.
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Can I use milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate?
You can experiment with milk or dark chocolate, but since white chocolate’s sweetness complements the pumpkin and spices so well, using anything else will change the flavor profile. If you do swap, consider reducing the additional sugar slightly.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Spiced Pumpkin Truffles Recipe hits all the right notes—sweet, spicy, creamy, and satisfying in every bite. When I first tried making these, I was amazed at how such simple ingredients could come together for such a crowd-pleaser. I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do, and that they bring a little festive joy to your kitchen and table. Seriously, once you take that first bite, you’ll want to keep making them all season long—I’m already thinking about my next batch!
Print
Spiced Pumpkin Truffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully sweet and spiced, these Spiced Pumpkin Truffles combine creamy white chocolate with pumpkin puree and warming spices for a cozy treat. Rolled in cinnamon sugar for a perfect finish, these truffles are easy to make and perfect for fall or holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Truffle Base
- 4 ounces (115g) good quality white chocolate
- 1/3 cup (80g) pure pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups (195g) graham cracker crumbs
Coating
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Decoration
- Mini chocolate chips (for decorating)
Instructions
- Melt the Chocolate: Gently melt the white chocolate using a microwave in short bursts or use a double boiler method until it is smooth and creamy. Set aside to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Combine Pumpkin Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the pure pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, and pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon) until well incorporated to create a flavorful base.
- Add Melted Chocolate: Pour the slightly cooled melted white chocolate into the pumpkin mixture and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a smooth mixture.
- Fold in Graham Cracker Crumbs: Gently fold the graham cracker crumbs into the pumpkin and chocolate mixture until you obtain a thick, soft dough-like consistency.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the truffle dough for 1 to 2 hours, or until it is firm enough to scoop and roll without sticking excessively.
- Prepare Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar coating for the truffles.
- Form Truffles: Scoop out approximately 1 tablespoon of the chilled dough, then roll it between your palms to create smooth balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
- Optional Decoration: To resemble little pumpkins, press gentle indentations into the sides of the truffles using a toothpick, skewer, or knife, creating ridges. Press a mini chocolate chip on top of each truffle to represent the pumpkin stem.
- Store and Serve: Keep the finished truffles refrigerated until ready to enjoy, serving chilled for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid added sugars and spices affecting the flavor.
- You can adjust the spice level by varying the pumpkin pie spice or substituting your favorite warm spices such as nutmeg or allspice.
- Chilling the dough thoroughly is crucial for easy shaping and clean coating of the truffles.
- The optional decoration with mini chocolate chips adds a charming look but can be omitted if desired.
- Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
