No-Bake Pumpkin Delight
Ingredients
- 200g (7 oz) graham crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
- 75g (5 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- 225g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 240ml (1 cup) heavy whipping cream, chilled
- 425g (15 oz / 1 can) pure pumpkin purée
- 60g (1/4 cup) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove)
- 120ml (1/2 cup) whole milk
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Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine crushed graham crackers and melted butter until evenly moistened. Press firmly into the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking dish to form an even base, then chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- 2
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- 3
In a separate cold bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- 4
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chilled crust using an offset spatula.
- 5
In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, light brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and whole milk until fully combined and smooth.
- 6
Carefully spread the pumpkin layer over the cream cheese layer.
- 7
Top with the remaining whipped cream and a light dusting of extra pumpkin pie spice.
- 8
Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the layers to set before slicing.
Notes
For the neatest slices, freeze the dessert for 20 minutes before cutting with a warm knife wiped clean between cuts. You can substitute graham crackers with ginger snaps for a spicier crust base.
The Story Behind Pumpkin Desserts
Pumpkin-based sweets trace back to North American indigenous agriculture, where native squash was roasted and sweetened with maple syrup. European settlers adapted these ingredients into custards baked inside pumpkin shells before developing crust-bound pies. By the mid-20th century, the advent of reliable home refrigeration popularized icebox cakes and layered no-bake preparations, transforming classic autumn spices into light, chilled seasonal treats.
Discover No-Bake Pumpkin Delight
Ina Garten
Ina Garten champions simple seasonal entertaining through carefully balanced make-ahead desserts. Her approach to pumpkin relies on quality purée complemented by pure vanilla and warm spices to construct elegant, stress-free layered treats.