Description
Seasonal “Layered Pumpkin Dessert” invites warm autumn flavors into delightful comfort. Creamy spiced pumpkin nestles between buttery graham cracker crust and fluffy whipped cream, promising pure harvest happiness you’ll savor deeply.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) melted butter
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping
Pumpkin Pudding Layer:
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Extra whipped topping (for layering and topping)
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, then firmly press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish, creating a compact crust layer.
- Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until achieving a silky-smooth consistency, then gently incorporate whipped topping and distribute evenly across the graham cracker base.
- Create the pumpkin filling by thoroughly blending pumpkin puree with vanilla pudding mix, cold milk, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon until achieving a uniform, creamy texture.
- Carefully spread the pumpkin mixture over the cream cheese layer, ensuring an even and smooth surface.
- Crown the dessert with additional whipped topping, covering the entire pumpkin layer completely.
- Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours at 40°F, allowing the layers to set and flavors to meld together.
- Once chilled and firm, slice into squares and garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or crumbled graham crackers for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize the crust by swapping graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for those with dietary restrictions.
- Reduce sugar content by using low-fat cream cheese and sugar-free pudding mix, making the dessert more diabetic-friendly.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the pumpkin mixture, creating a more sophisticated taste profile.
- Prepare components ahead of time and assemble just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Refrigerating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg