Fresh Citrus Pumpkin Spice Crumble (Printable Version)

A vibrant autumn dessert featuring roasted pumpkin, thyme, citrus zest, and a spiced crumble topping.

# Ingredient List:

→ Roasted Pumpkin

01 - 1 medium sugar pumpkin (about 1.5 lb), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
04 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

→ Citrus Pumpkin Filling

06 - Zest of 1 orange
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar
11 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Crumble Topping

13 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
14 - 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
15 - 1/3 cup light brown sugar
16 - 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
18 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
19 - 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss pumpkin cubes with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper; spread evenly on the baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes, turning once, until tender and lightly caramelized.
03 - Lower oven temperature to 350°F.
04 - In a large bowl, combine the roasted pumpkin with orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon; toss gently to coat.
05 - Place the pumpkin mixture into a lightly greased 9x9-inch baking dish.
06 - Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl. Add cold butter and work with fingertips or pastry cutter until coarse crumbs form. Stir in nuts if using.
07 - Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pumpkin filling. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and bubbling at the edges.
08 - Let cool for 10 minutes before serving warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The thyme does something unexpected to the pumpkin, turning it savory-sweet in a way that feels grown-up and cozy at once.
  • Citrus zest keeps it bright instead of heavy, so you can actually finish a full serving without feeling like you need a nap.
  • The crumble stays crisp on top while the filling bubbles underneath, and that contrast is everything.
02 -
  • Do not skip turning the pumpkin halfway through roasting, the caramelization only happens on the side that touches the pan.
  • If your butter is not cold enough, the crumble will clump instead of crumble, and you will lose that crisp texture.
  • Let the dish cool for at least 10 minutes or the filling will be molten and slide everywhere when you scoop it.
03 -
  • Zest the citrus directly over the bowl so the oils spray into the mixture, it makes the flavor more vibrant.
  • Taste a piece of roasted pumpkin before mixing it into the filling, if it is not sweet enough, add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar.
  • Use your hands to mix the crumble topping, the warmth from your fingers helps the butter coat the flour just right.

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