Pumpkin Delight

Name: Pumpkin Delight
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, (and some extra crumbs for garnish if desired); ½ cup pecans, (chopped and divided (pecans can be left out if you desire)); 3 tablespoons sugar; 1¾ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, (divided); 6 tablespoons butter, (melted); 16 ounces cream cheese, (softened); ¾ cup powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup whipping cream, (chilled); 15 ounces pumpkin puree; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 8 ounces Cool Whip; cinnamon, (optional garnish)

You'll love this creamy pumpkin delight dessert lasagna: a graham cracker crust with layers of cream cheese, Cool Whip, and pumpkin make an irresistible treat.

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Table of Contents

Pumpkin Delight Ingredients
How To Make This Pumpkin Delight Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
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Instead of pumpkin pie this fall or Thanksgiving, try this creamy pumpkin delight dessert recipe instead! A homemade pecan and graham cracker mix forms a delicious crust that is topped with three layers of light and fluffy pumpkin, cream cheese, and whipped cream filling.

close up shot of a slice of Pumpkin Delight on a plate

Pumpkin Delight Ingredients

Pumpkin Delight raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs and some extra crumbs for garnish, if desired
½ cup pecans, chopped, divided
3 tablespoons sugar
1¾ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 (8-ounce) blocks of cream cheese, softened
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whipping cream, chilled
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
8 ounces Cool Whip
Cinnamon garnish optional

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

PECANS: The pecans can be left out of this recipe; however, I think they add a really nice crunch.

CINNAMON GARNISH: I like to add a light sprinkle of cinnamon to the top of my dessert as a garnish. It adds a nice appeal visually and brings out the pumpkin spice flavor.

COOL WHIP: If Cool Whip isn’t available where you live, you could make your own stabilized whipped cream. Check out our recipe for homemade whipped cream.

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS: You can use store-bought crumbs or crush up your own with a rolling pin or food processor for this easy graham cracker crust. If graham crackers aren’t available in your country, the nearest thing to use would be digestive biscuits.

How To Make This Pumpkin Delight Recipe

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

It’s highly recommended to make this delicious dessert a day ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. This will allow it to thicken and makes it easier to cut into slices.

For the Crust Layer

STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup of crushed pecans, sugar, ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and melted butter.

STEP TWO: Press the mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish. Flatten the mixture using the bottom of a flat glass. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

PRO TIP:

To avoid everything melting while you work, be sure to chill the dish before you start and place it back into the refrigerator between layers where possible.

Pumpkin Delight process shot of crust mixture being flattened into a baking dish with a flat glass cup

For the Cream Cheese Layer

STEP ONE: In a large bowl, place the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Then, using a hand mixer, combine until light and fluffy and no lumps remain. Set aside.

PRO TIP:

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your cream cheese filling.

Pumpkin Delight process shot of ingredients in a bowl and then ingredients being blended in a bowl

STEP TWO: In a chilled medium mixing bowl, place the heavy whipping cream. Using a hand mixer on high, beat the cream until stiff peaks form, usually about 5 minutes.

STEP THREE: Gently add the heavy whipping cream to the cream cheese mixture and fold it together with a rubber spatula.

Pumpkin Delight process shot of ingredients being folded together in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Once combined, spoon half of the cream cheese/whipped cream mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.

STEP FIVE: Set the other half of the mixture aside.

STEP SIX: Place the 8×8 dish in the refrigerator while preparing the next step.

For the Pumpkin Layer

STEP ONE: In the bowl with the remaining cream cheese/whipping cream mixture, add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and the remaining 1½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Gently fold together until combined and solid in color.

STEP TWO: Spoon the pumpkin mixture on top of layer two in the dish.

For the Cool Whip Layer

STEP ONE: Spread the Cool Whip on top as the final layer.

Pumpkin Delight process shot of pumpkin mixture then cool whip being spread on top of dish

STEP TWO: Garnish with the remaining ¼ cup of chopped pecans and a dusting of cinnamon if desired.

STEP THREE: Chill the entire dessert for at least one hour before serving to allow it to set.

How To Serve

Make this divine pumpkin treat for a potluck or barbecue. For a bit of extra indulgence, add a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream on the side and a drizzle of caramel sauce on top.

Want ideas for more pumpkin desserts? Reader favorites include our recipes for pumpkin roll and pumpkin dump cake.

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Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover pumpkin delight should always be stored in the refrigerator. It’s also best to place it in the fridge in between servings. The ingredients can melt very quickly. If you plan to make it ahead of time, it should also be refrigerated until served.

IN THE FREEZER: Pumpkin delight is very simple to freeze! Just make sure to cover the top with an airtight lid and pop it in the freezer. When ready to serve, let it thaw in the fridge.

close up shot of Pumpkin Delight topped with chopped pecans and cinnamon in a baking dish with a slice missing

This layered, pumpkin delight dessert is an easy, no-bake recipe. Starting with the buttery pecan crust then, followed up with three delicious layers of cream cheese, pumpkin, and Cool Whip, this delicious dessert is perfect for fall gatherings like Thanksgiving dinner.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use a different type of crust for this recipe?

You could use Nilla wafers or digestive biscuits in place of the graham cracker crust for this recipe.

Can you freeze pumpkin delight?

You can freeze this fluffy no-bake dessert for up to a month. Cover in plastic wrap before freezing. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Is this recipe the same as Pumpkin Lush or Pumpkin Lasagna?

Yes! This great recipe goes by many names, including pumpkin lush, pumpkin dream, and pumpkin lasagna.

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Pumpkin Delight

5 from 7 votes

You'll love this creamy pumpkin delight dessert lasagna: a graham cracker crust with layers of cream cheese, Cool Whip, and pumpkin make an irresistible treat.

Prep Time 30

Total Time 1 30

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, and some extra crumbs for garnish if desired
½ cup pecans, chopped and divided (pecans can be left out if you desire)
3 tablespoons sugar
1¾ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
6 tablespoons butter, melted
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whipping cream, chilled
15 ounces pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
8 ounces Cool Whip
cinnamon, optional garnish

Instructions

Crust

In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup of crushed pecans, sugar, ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and melted butter.
Press the mixture into an 8×8 dish. Flatten the mixture using the bottom of a flat glass. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Cream Cheese Layer

In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, powered sugar, and vanilla extract, and using a hand mixer, combine until light and fluffy and no lumps remain. Set aside.
In a chilled medium mixing bowl, place the heavy whipping cream. Using a hand mixer on high, beat the cream until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
Gently add the heavy whipping cream to the cream cheese mixture and fold together with a rubber spatula. Once combined, spoon half of the cream cheese/whipped cream mixture on top of the graham cracker crust.
Set the other half of the mixture aside.
Place the dish in the refrigerator while preparing the next step.

Pumpkin Layer

In the bowl with the remaining cream cheese/whipping cream mixture, add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and the remaining 1½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Gently fold together until combined and solid in color.
Spoon the mixture on top of layer three in the dish.

Cool Whip Layer

Spread the Cool Whip on top as the last layer.
Garnish with the remaining ¼ cup of chopped pecans and dusting of cinnamon if desired.
Chill at least one hour before serving.

Video

Notes

It’s highly recommended to make this delicious dessert a day ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. This will allow it to thicken and makes it easier to cut into slices.
To avoid everything melting while you work, be sure to chill the dish before you start and place it back into the refrigerator between layers where possible.
Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature so that you don’t end up with lumps in your cream cheese filling.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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