Description
Pumpkin Delight is a creamy, layered dessert featuring a crunchy pecan crust, smooth cream cheese mixture, pumpkin-flavored pudding, and whipped topping, perfect for fall gatherings and holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup chopped pecans (divided)
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping (divided)
Pumpkin Pudding Layer
- 2½ cups milk
- 3 (3.4-ounce) packages white chocolate (or vanilla) instant pudding mix
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 cup whipped topping (divided)
Topping
- Remaining 1 cup whipped topping
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (remaining from ¾ cup)
Instructions
- Prepare crust: Mix the all-purpose flour, softened butter, and ½ cup of chopped pecans together. Press this mixture firmly into a greased 9×9-inch baking pan.
- Bake crust: Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely before assembling the next layers. Note: For a thicker crust or if using a 9×13 pan, increase flour, butter, and pecans accordingly.
- Make cream cheese layer: In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in 1 cup of whipped topping gently. Spread this layer evenly over the cooled crust.
- Prepare pumpkin pudding layer: In another bowl, combine the milk, white chocolate or vanilla instant pudding mix, canned pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and 1 cup of whipped topping. Whisk until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble pumpkin layer: Spread the pumpkin pudding mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Add final topping: Spread the remaining 1 cup of whipped topping over the pumpkin layer. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup chopped pecans on top as garnish.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 3 hours or until fully set. Serve chilled and enjoy.
Notes
- If using a 9×13 pan or preferring a thicker crust, add an additional ½ cup flour, ¼ cup butter, and ¼ cup chopped pecans to the crust mixture.
- Make sure the crust is completely cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting.
- The dessert must chill for at least 3 hours to set properly for easy slicing.
- Can substitute whipped topping with homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
- Use pumpkin spice or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves as a substitute if pumpkin spice is unavailable.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pumpkin dessert, layered dessert, pumpkin pudding, pecan crust, cream cheese dessert, fall dessert
