Description
Indulgent Pumpkin Lush dessert celebrates autumn’s rich flavors with creamy layers of graham cracker crust, smooth pumpkin filling, and billowy whipped cream. Cool seasonal comfort awaits you in each delightful spoonful of this easy-to-make crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Layer:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping
Pumpkin Pudding and Topping Layer:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) pumpkin puree
- 5.1 ounces (145 grams) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 5.1 ounces (145 grams) instant butterscotch pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups whipped topping
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the base by combining flour, melted butter, and chopped pecans into a cohesive mixture. Press firmly into a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an even layer.
- Bake the crust at 350°F for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until velvety smooth, ensuring no lumps remain. Carefully spread this layer across the cooled crust using a spatula.
- Create the pumpkin filling by whisking pumpkin puree, instant pudding mix, milk, and pumpkin pie spice until thoroughly blended and creamy.
- Gently pour the pumpkin mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Cover the pumpkin layer with a generous spread of whipped topping, creating a light and airy final layer.
- Refrigerate the dessert for minimum 2 hours to allow layers to set and flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, optionally garnish with additional whipped cream and a sprinkle of chopped pecans for extra texture and visual appeal.
- Slice and serve chilled for maximum flavor and structural integrity.
Notes
- Toast pecans lightly before adding to the crust for enhanced nutty flavor and crunch.
- Use room temperature cream cheese to ensure smooth, lump-free spreading across the base layer.
- Substitute gluten-free flour and graham cracker crumbs for a celiac-friendly version of this dessert.
- Reduce sugar content by using sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat cream cheese for a lighter dessert option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg