Pumpkin Pasties

Bring the magical world of Harry Potter into your own home with these delicious pumpkin pasties. These handheld treats will delight all the little witches and wizards on Halloween.

Featured with this Recipe

1. What is a Pumpkin Pastie?
2. Ingredients in Pumpkin Pasties
3. Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
4. How to Make Pumpkin Pasties
5. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort
6. Harry Potter Treats
7. More Harry Potter Recipes
8. Harry Potter Pumpkin Pasties Recipe
9. Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando Resort
10. Packing List for Universal Orlando Resort
11. Our Favorite Rides

As a foodie and a Harry Potter fan, I was always so intrigued by the food and drink in the Harry Potter world and Pumpkin Pasties are mentioned in the very first book! However, you don’t have to ride the Hogwarts Express or visit Honeydukes to enjoy these sweet and flavorful Pumpkin Pasties (although, I would highly recommend doing both!). You can delight Harry Potter fans old and young ANYTIME with this simple homemade pumpkin pasties recipe. These are perfect for Harry Potter parties, marathons, book parties, or just when you are in a wizarding mood.

What is a Pumpkin Pastie?

In the movie Pumpkin Pasties are sold on the trolley called the Honeydukes Express on the train to school. These pumpkin pasties are sweet pastries with a pumpkin-pie-like filling. I made them with a little cream cheese to add some creaminess and a slightly thicker consistency. They taste just like the Pumpkin Pasties you get at Honeydukes in Harry Potter World. I like the fact that you can eat them with your hands. It makes it easy for kids to enjoy without a mess.

Ingredients in Pumpkin Pasties

• Pie crusts – Use a store-bought from the refrigerator section or homemade pie crust for these pumpkin pasties.
• Pumpkin puree – This is the main ingredient that makes these pumpkin pasties come to life! Canned pumpkin puree is convenient and easy to use. It gives a sweet pumpkin filling flavor!
• Cream cheese – I always soften my cream cheese ahead of time by leaving it out on the counter 30 minutes prior to making the pumpkin pasties. This adds a smooth and creamy texture and sweet flavor to the pumpkin puree.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar is added to balance the sweetness with the pumpkin puree.
• Pumpkin pie spice – Make a homemade version of pumpkin pie spice or buy the seasoning already combined with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.
• Egg – Whisk the egg in a small bowl until combined. This will be used as an egg wash to hold the pastie together as well as give it a crisp texture on the outside.
• Butter – Melt the butter ahead of time. This too can be like the egg wash and used around the edges or on the outside of the dough.
• Sprinkles – Add extra sweetness with turbinado sugar crystals sprinkled on top or cinnamon sugar.

Ingredient Additions and Substitutions

This Pumpkin Pasties recipe is so simple, which means you can switch things up with fun additions and substitutions! Try something new in the filling or add a tasty topping.

• Sweet potatoes – If pumpkins are not available try using sweet potatoes instead. Boil and soften the sweet potatoes until they are soft and mash them together for the filling.
• Chocolate – Drizzle over top the pasties chocolate or white chocolate that is melted.
• Glaze – Make a glaze of powdered sugar and water and drizzle it over the top.
• Savory – Some people think that pasties are supposed to be savory, like Cornish pasties! You can omit the sugar and add a little bit of salt and shredded cheese like cheddar or gouda.
• Shapes – Sometimes I like to make full circle pies instead of half circles. I cut out two circles, place the filling in the center of one circle, and place the other circle on top. Then, I crimp the edges all the way around. You can do this with rectangles too, or even hearts and stars!

How to Make Pumpkin Pasties

1. Prepare dough – Roll out the pie dough that has a lightly floured surface. Cut out 4-inch circles and then roll them out a little bit more on the flour to a little thinner than a traditional pie crust. If you have a pastry cutter this would be a great way to utilize it.
2. Combine – Mix the pumpkin pie filling in a large bowl. Spoon a little bit of pumpkin mixture onto one side of each circle.
3. Assemble – Fold the pie dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Cut three small slits to act as vents on the top of the pasty.
4. Bake – Brush the top with butter or egg wash and sprinkle with some sugar or cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden brown and enjoy your delicious little hand pies. I like to bake on parchment paper for easy cleanup. Let cool on a cooling rack.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort

It was a huge surprise to all of us when Universal Orlando Resort, in partnership with Warner Bros., officially announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter would be coming to the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. It has been magical to experience  

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Hollywood. The attractions, the shops, and the food truly transport you into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter you experience when you read the books and see the movies.

If you’ve been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you know how extraordinary it is. If you haven’t, add it to your bucket list! Believe me, it is a phenomenal experience. There is so much attention to detail. You will love it! I can’t wait to visit again. Please see my tips for a successful visit below the recipe.

Harry Potter Treats

Through the Harry Potter books and movies, J.K. Rowling introduced us to some magical foods, drinks, and treats.

What child wouldn’t love to have a Chocolate Frog, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands, or some of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Jelly Beans? A lot of imagination and talent has gone into creating the candies, treats, foods, and drinks we have read about and seen in the movies.

In addition to the sights and sounds, experiencing the tastes of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is another big reason to visit the theme parks! We had a tasty dinner at the Three Broomsticks. Fish and chips, apple pie, and butterbeer, of course!

The apple pie is served warm with a brown sugar crunch topping. It is SO good! The photo on the left is one of the Pumpkin Pasties from Honeydukes. Many thanks to Universal Orlando Resort for providing such a fun and appetizing day for us!

More Harry Potter Recipes

Fortunately, it’s possible to create some of the magic in your own kitchen. This is especially fun at Halloween, for parties, or for Harry Potter movie marathons (my personal favorite). I hope to have more soon! I tried some Butterbeer fudge at Honeydukes on my last visit it was incredible.

Drinks

Pumpkin Juice

Drinks

Frozen Butterbeer

COPYCAT

Harry Potter Butterbeer

Tips for Visiting Universal Orlando Resort

• There are three theme parks to visit while at Universal Orlando Resort – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay. Universal’s Volcano Bay is a water theme park. To have access to all of the attractions at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you will want to purchase the Park to Park tickets for Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. There are several vacation packages and ticket combinations available. For more information, visit universalorlando.com.
• Download the free Universal Florida Resort App before going to the theme parks. The features on the app are very helpful when navigating the parks. You can view maps of the parks, wait times, show times, and dining options. I like that you can see which rides are thrill rides, 3D and 4D rides, water rides, and rides for kids.
• If you have limited time at the theme parks, I highly recommend spending the extra money to get an Express Pass. It allows you into a separate entrance and gives you a shorter wait time to get on the rides.
• My last tip is to be aware of the hours in all of the theme parks on the day you visit. Get the most out of your visit by arriving early. Before you enter the parks, there is a significant walk from the parking garages to the entrance. There is also a bag check and security area that can take some time. I suggest arriving 60 minutes before the park opens to park, go through security, and purchase tickets.

Packing List for Universal Orlando Resort

• Bring a lanyard with a badge holder for everyone in your group! Buy a pack of six or more on Amazon for around $1 each here. You can also buy them at the parks, but this takes up extra time and is more expensive. You are asked to show your ticket on every ride at the theme parks. If you have an Express Pass, you may be asked to show it more than once. Having it safely in a clear badge holder on a lanyard around your neck, saves you the hassle of digging it out of a pocket or purse on every ride. This is essential if you are taking kids with you.
• Wear comfortable shoes. I cringe when I see people at theme parks in heels. You can walk between 10 and 15 miles a day at a theme park.
• Travel light. On the bigger rides, you are not allowed to take anything with you on the ride. Your things will need to go in a temporary locker. If you are visiting the park with a group, share a backpack.
• Five essential things to take with you to the theme parks:
  1. Water
  2. Sunscreen
  3. Lanyards with badge holders for your tickets
  4. Dramamine (less drowsy or non-drowsy). If you or anyone in your group has a tendency to get motion sickness, this will help make the day much more enjoyable.
  5. Tylenol or Advil.
• Watch the weather and bring a light rain jacket if there is any chance for rain. While Florida is sunny most of the time, there are occasional downpours. We had a short downpour on our last visit and it was nice to have a way to stay dry. A light rain jacket also helps SO MUCH on the water rides.

Our Favorite Rides

• There is much more to see and do at Universal Orlando Resort than The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you are a roller coaster fan, “The Incredible Hulk Coaster” and the “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit” will not disappoint. We also loved the rides from some of our favorite movies and TV shows. The new “Skull Island: Reign of Kong” ride was absolutely amazing. I won’t give any spoilers other than to say you get a VERY close-up look at some pretty terrifying dinosaurs and you’re not sure if Kong is going to be the enemy or the hero.
• Another favorite was the new “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.” What an awesome ride! You find yourself on the set of The Tonight Show and then literally racing Jimmy Fallon through New York. So fun! My son was a big fan of  “Transformers The Ride 3D” and “The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.” Be sure to also plan time to see the shows and meet some of your favorite movie characters while you are there. The shows are top quality and very entertaining. We also loved the water rides.
• If you want to get completely soaked, go on the “Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. I’m not exaggerating. Every person on our ride was drenched. Save this ride for the end of the day, or be prepared to walk around in wet clothes.