Description
Creamy pumpkin lush dessert blends layers of seasonal spices with a graham cracker crust. Cool whipped topping and cream cheese create a dreamy autumn treat you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Layer:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113 grams)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (30 grams)
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping
Pumpkin Layer:
- 1 15-ounce (425 grams) can pumpkin puree
- 1 3.4-ounce (96 grams) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Topping:
- 1 cup whipped topping
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (30 grams)
Instructions
- Craft a golden, nutty foundation by combining flour, melted butter, and finely chopped pecans. Press the mixture evenly into a baking dish, creating a compact base.
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and bake the crust for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Allow the crust to cool completely, ensuring a crisp texture.
- Whip softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until velvety smooth, incorporating whipped topping to create a light, airy mixture.
- Carefully spread the cream cheese blend over the cooled crust, creating an even, luxurious layer.
- Blend pumpkin puree with cold milk, vanilla pudding mix, and warming pumpkin pie spice until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Gently pour the pumpkin mixture over the cream cheese layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Crown the dessert with a generous layer of whipped topping, creating a cloud-like surface.
- Scatter chopped pecans across the top for a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the dessert to set firmly.
- Serve chilled, revealing the elegant layers of this decadent autumn-inspired treat.
Notes
- Choose high-quality pecans for a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the crust’s texture and complements the creamy pumpkin layers.
- Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature to achieve a smooth, lump-free layer that spreads easily.
- Experiment with gluten-free flour or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version of the crust, maintaining the same delicious crunch.
- Swap regular whipped topping with coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative that keeps the dessert light and indulgent.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 302
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 4.3 g
- Cholesterol: 11 mg