What to do with Leftover Pumpkin Carvings: Simple DIY's You can do in Your Dorm

 It's that time of year again: crunchy leaves, sweater weather and most importantly, pumpkin-flavored everything. The beginning of the holidays marks orange and black decor around the residence halls as well as the brain-storming of what to carve in your pumpkin this year. Whether you’ll cut out the basic Jack-o-Lantern or a complicated Pinterest-worthy design, those pumpkin guts can make a mess of your kitchen. Before throwing those leftover pumpkin carvings away, try these simple DIYs to get yourself into the Fall spirit.

Classic Pumpkin Seeds

• Prep Time:15 mins
• Cook Time:45 mins
• Total Time:1 hr
• Servings:5
• Easy

Ingredients

• Pumpkin seeds
• Salt and pepper

• Step 1

  Separate all pumpkin seeds from gooey orange guts. Preheat oven to 300°F

  

• Step 2

  Rinse pumpkin seeds with cold water.

  

• Step 3

  Spread seeds onto greased baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes.

  

• Step 4

  Remove from oven. Season to your liking.

  

In our photos and directions, we decided to use salt and pepper. However, make them your own and try using cajun seasoning, cinnamon and sugar, or even lemon pepper.

Pumpkin Face Mask

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:0
• Total Time:5 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 2 tbs pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp skim milk

• Step 1

  Mix together all ingredients and it's ready to use! Spread onto skin with fingertips.

  

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Prep Time:15 mins
• Cook Time:20 mins
• Total Time:35 mins
• Servings:18
• Easy

Ingredients

• Cookie Ingredients:
• 2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 4 oz cream cheese
• Frosting Ingredients:
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbs cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, and softened cream cheese.

  

• Step 2

  Once a smooth, thick texture, place scooped cookie dough onto greased baking sheet.

  

• Step 3

  Bake for 18-20 minutes. Once finished, let cool for 5-10 minutes.

  

• Step 4

  In order to make the frosting, mix together the cream cheese, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.

  

• Step 5

  Frost cookies with knife. Serve.

  

This recipe was inspired by 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies. This is just one of many recipes that can be made. Fresh pumpkin puree can be substituted for any recipe that has canned pumpkin. One can of canned pumpkin is equivalent to just under 2 cups. You can also try making pumpkin fries, pumpkin pie cake, or even molten chocolate pumpkin bread.

Instead of throwing away your pumpkin this year, make use of it. You can easily impress your friends this Halloween with fun pumpkin recipes (and face masks) by using fresh pumpkin, not just the canned stuff. Just one spoon-shaped leftover pumpkin carving along with the insides will easily give you enough to do these three simple DIYs.