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Tasty 4 layer pumpkin delight dessert starts with a crunchy pecan crust topped with creamy pumpkin, cream cheese, and whipped cream layers!
Layered desserts are so impressive, and usually feed a good sized crowd. That’s why we love this pumpkin delight, pumpkin lasagna, and magic pumpkin cake! They all make great Thanksgiving desserts.
Layered Pumpkin Dessert
This next dessert is one that EVERY pumpkin lover will enjoy. It’s one of those delicious layered desserts, and I’m calling it Pumpkin Delight!
With a pecan layer, cream cheese layer, pumpkin and pudding layer and a whipped cream layer on top, it’s sure to be a hit in your home!
It may not be pie, but believe me when I say I don’t think anyone will be disappointed if you serve this instead. I
love that this Pumpkin Delight is perfect for any celebration in the fall and could even be a great dessert on Thanksgiving, instead of the traditional pumpkin pie!
the four layers
This Pumpkin Delight recipe is made up of FOUR delicious layers. While the process is really simple, it is a little bit time consuming so plan accordingly!
Buttery Pecan Crust. Start by mixing the ingredients for the crust and pressing the mixture into a 9×9 or 9×13 pan (ingredient adjustments for bigger batch found on recipe card). Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool.
Whipped Cream Cheese. Blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, and whipped topping, then spread over the cooled crust.
Creamy Pumpkin Fluff. Make the third layer by mixing canned pumpkin puree, pudding mix, pumpkin spice, milk, and more whipped topping, then spread on top of layer 2.
Whipped Topping. Lastly, spread remaining whipped cream (homemade or Cool Whip works too) over the pumpkin layer. If you like, sprinkle some chopped pecans on top. Be sure to let it chill for about 3 hours before serving!
Recipe Tips
Don’t prepare the pudding, just add the pudding mix (in powder form) into the mixture.
Be sure to get the instant pudding mix so the layer sets quickly and prevents it from being runny.
Some brands of pumpkin are more watery than others. So if yours is watery, pour it into a strainer and remove the excess water. This will prevent the pumpkin layer from being runny.
Pumpkin Puree: Note that you want to use pumpkin puree and not canned pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling already has spices and other ingredients mixed into it. Whereas pumpkin puree is only pumpkin.
Most pumpkin puree cans come in 15 oz sizes. If you have a larger can you can scoop the leftover puree into a freezer safe ziploc and store it in the freezer to be used in another recipe.
Change it Up!
Variations
- If you don’t have the white chocolate pudding mix I would suggest getting a vanilla flavor.
- You can switch the pecans in the crust layer for heath bits or toffee bits.
- If you are wanting a different crust layer, some great options are crushed graham crackers (normal or cinnamon), crushed pretzels, or crushed gingersnap cookies. Since these options are flour based you won’t need to add the flour in the crust. You will want to replace the 1 c of flour AND ½ c of crushed pecans with your substitute of choice and then keep following the instructions normally.
Other toppings: Instead of pecans, you can top pumpkin delight with heath or toffee bits, chocolate chips, different crushed nuts, crushed graham cracker or pretzel.
Making ahead + storing
Make this ahead of time, but I suggest not making it more than 24 hrs in advance so it stays as fresh as possible. It will also need to be refrigerated until it is served.
To FREEZE, just cover the top with an airtight lid and place it in the freezer. When you want some, cut out the amount you want and leave it out to thaw and place the rest back in the freezer.
Another option is to divide the leftover delight into individual serving containers. Store in the freezer and grab one when you want a treat. The delight won’t thaw quite in its original state, but it still makes a cool delicious treat.
For more pumpkin desserts, check out:
- Magic Pumpkin Cake
- Pumpkin Lasagna
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars
- Mini Pumpkin Pies
Pumpkin Delight Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup pecans chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 cups whipped topping divided
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 3 pkgs white chocolate (or vanilla) instant pudding mix (3.4 oz size)
- 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Instructions
Layer 1
- Mix flour, butter and ½ cup pecans together. Press into a greased 9×9 pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350°F, then remove and let cool.NOTE: If you are using a 9×13 pan, or would like a thicker crust, add an additional ½ cup flour, ¼ cup butter and ¼ cup chopped pecans.
Layer 2
- Blend cream cheese and powdered sugar, add 1 cup of the whipped topping, then spread over cooled crust.
Layer 3
- Mix milk, pudding mix, canned pumpkin, pumpkin spice and 1 cup whipped topping until smooth. Spread over top of layer 2.
Layer 4
- Spread remaining 1 cup of whipped topping and sprinkle pecans.
- Let chill for 3 hours or until set. Serve chilled.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Stopped by to get the free Fall adult coloring pages to color with my daughter but we can’t seem to find them.
Could you describe which one it is?
My mother-in-law made this when we visited this weekend and it was delicious!
🙂 Glad you liked it!! Thanks for letting me know!
Wondering if i could substitute real homemade whipped cream for the cool whip???
Of course! Hope you like it, as much as we do!! Thanks so much!
This is just like my grandma’s cream dessert! She used butterscotch pudding in hers. I love this and am making it minus the pumpkin.
That sounds delicious!! I’ll have to try that! Thank you!
I made it and my husband and step kids had never had it before. They all liked it. Step kids liked it so much that they only left me a tiny sliver.
Haha! Sounds like you’ll need to make it again!
If i use pecan sandies cookies for the crist do i add in butter or butter abd the flour
That’s a good question! I haven’t tried, I would they already have that in the cookies, so probably not.
Hi~ has it been decided whether it’s pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie filling? I see the recipe says puree, but in the comments there seems to be some confusion. I will go ahead w/ the puree because of the added spice.
I don’t care for nuts so made our crust with gingersnaps. Found a no bake recipe for it online. Looks like it turned out great. Sprinkled some additional crumbs on top. Thanks for putting the recipe out there for us to find. ????
I made this last night but when I checked it this morning the pumpkin layer was like soup. I read recipe over again (and again and again) to see what I did wrong but I didn’t deviate from directions at all. Could you offer any suggestions? Was the milk only supposed to be maybe 1 cup? 2 1/2 seems like an awful lot and the ‘pudding’ amount would have been enough for two desserts. Thanks for your input. Happy Thanksgiving!
Pumpkin layer never set . disappointing..
I’m not a huge baker, but I’m attempting this this year. Is it normal that there is no sugar in the crust? I’m guessing the layers will be sweet enough to off set this? I’m a wee bit nervous because I’m making this to take to a group dinner without tasting it first. Would love your input.
So I really confused – it is pumpkin pie filling or just canned pumpkin – two very different things.
Also wanting to confirm that it called for 3 of the 3.4 oz packets. That seems like a lot of pudding.