Description
Creamy pumpkin lush dessert promises a luxurious autumn experience with layers of graham cracker crust, silky cream cheese, and spiced pumpkin filling. Rich seasonal flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delightful bite of this irresistible fall treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake and Pumpkin Layer:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 15 ounces (425 grams) pumpkin puree
- 4 ounces (113 grams) instant vanilla pudding
- 2 cups (240 grams) confectioners sugar
- 2 teaspoons (10 grams) pumpkin spice
- 1 1/4 cups (300 milliliters) half and half
Topping Layer:
- 2 1/2 cups (600 milliliters) Cool Whip
- Pecans, chopped
Instructions
- Craft a crumbly foundation by blending graham cracker fragments with granulated sweetener and liquefied butter. Firmly compress the mixture into the base of a 9×13-inch dish. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to solidify.
- Whip softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until silky and uniform. Gently incorporate one portion of whipped topping, ensuring a light, airy texture. Carefully distribute this creamy mixture across the chilled crust.
- Construct the vibrant pumpkin stratum by whisking pumpkin puree with aromatic pumpkin spice, vanilla pudding mix, and creamy half and half until the consistency thickens. Delicately fold in half a portion of whipped topping to enhance smoothness.
- Cascade the pumpkin mixture over the previous cream cheese layer, creating an even, uniform surface. Top with remaining whipped topping, spreading gently to cover completely.
- Enhance the dessert’s visual appeal by sprinkling chopped pecans across the top layer, adding textural contrast and nutty flavor.
- Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing layers to set and flavors to meld. When thoroughly chilled, slice into precise squares and serve.
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.
- Toast pecans briefly before sprinkling to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dessert’s topping.
- Experiment with seasonal spices like cardamom or ginger to elevate the pumpkin layer’s complexity and create a unique flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 269 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 142 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg