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7 Ways with Sugared Pepitas (candied pumpkin seeds)


Sugared Pepitas (Sugared Pumpkin Seeds) recipe

For your baked goods, savory treats or for snacking, this is a quick and easy staple to whip up when pumpkin seeds are available. Keep extra on hand because these sugared pepitas (candied pumpkin seeds) can get a lot of mileage and add that extra special touch!


Sugared Pepitas (Candied Pumpkin Seeds) recipe

Last week during the Thanksgiving holiday, I was developing and testing a recipe for a pumpkin tea cake of sorts. It didn’t quite come out to my liking so I’ll need to tweak and test again. I wanted to use a sugary and textured element as a garnish for the top of the tea cakes and tossed these sugared pepitas together to do just that.

Sugared Pepitas (Candied Pumpkin Seeds) recipe

Sugared Pepitas – Candied Pumpkin Seeds

These seeds deserve it’s own post because the versatility and usefulness of having these sugared pumpkin seeds on hand during the autumn/fall season cannot be understated if you are looking for some element to garnish, snack or add to recipes. Some ideas:

  1. Sprinkle on top of muffins before baking.
  2. Sprinkle on top of cupcakes after they’ve been frosted.
  3. Add them to quick breads or rustic type cakes as either a garnish to add before you bake it, or after.
  4. Add as a garnish to appropriate appetizers, something that is salty to contrast the sweetness.
  5. Add as a garnish or last element to a spoon dessert (like a mousse, pudding or ice cream)
  6. Toss on salads!
  7. Snacking.

Sugared Pepitas (Candied Pumpkin Seeds) recipe

Be sure to store unused pumpkin seeds and these candied pepitas in the refrigerator in an airtight container!

I’ll be referring to this post and recipe in many posts to follow over time as I use these sugary seeds in some of the ways mentioned above as ideas. If you use the recipe, please share back on Teenie Cakes through the comments and let me know how you used them. If you take a picture of your creation, I’d love to see it and post it here too!

Sugared Pepitas (candied pumpkin seeds)

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Sugared Pepitas (candied pumpkin seeds)
Makes about 1½ cups
Ingredients
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 4 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (separated)
  • 1½ cups roasted, unsalted pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
Method
  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a rimmed cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg whites and 3 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Add the pepitas, tossing to coat well with the egg/sugar mixture.
  3. Pour into the prepared cookie sheet and spread evenly in a single layer. Sprinkle 1 more tablespoon of the sugar over the pepitas. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, stir the pepitas with a fork and bake for another 7 minutes.
  4. Remove from the oven, stir the pepitas, sprinkle with the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar, and bake for another 3 minutes. The pepitas’ coating should be a nice golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
  5. Store unused sugared pepitas in an airtight container and in the refrigerator. © Images & content: Cristina A-Moore for TeenieCakes.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nami | Just One Cookbook says

    I’ve never had a chance to eat pumpkin seeds. I know it’s pretty popular here but I actually haven’t tried that. These sugared pepitas sound so yummy and addicting! My husband would prefer salty snack, but I’m in for sweet ones. This will make my blogging work at night more fun munching these while I work. 🙂

  4. ray says

    I chuckled when I saw your suggested 7 ways of using these candied pepitas because with my kids, “Snacking” will be the only way it will be consumed in my house. Look so good, Cristina. I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. Take care. 🙂

  7. Juliana says

    I love pepitas, but do not use them very often…thanks for the recipe Cristina…it is great to have these handy especially with a little sugar.
    Hope you are having a great week 🙂

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