Pumpkin Season

It is definitely pumpkin season! Looking for a really simple but super yummy pumpkin dessert? How about this layered pumpkin treat?!

My husband isn't a big fan of pudding-based desserts. I guess he feels like he isn't actually creating something if we just pull something like this together. He loves to cook and bake, and this is just more assembly, I guess. However, I do not have a problem with these kinds of desserts - I can really appreciate their simplicity and they're still darn tasty. I can appreciate his point, but sometimes you just need a simple recipe like the one below! 

LAYERED PUMPKIN DESSERT

Ingredients

25 NABISCO Ginger Snaps, finely crushed (about 1-1/3 cups)

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

2 eggs

2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

2 cups cold milk

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Ingredients ready to go!

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 10 min.

3. Beat cream cheese and sugar with mixer until well blended. Add pumpkin and spices; mix well. 

4. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended; pour over crust. 

5. Bake 30 min. or until center is almost set. Cool 1 hour. 

6. Beat pudding mixes and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP. Spread over dessert.

7. Cover with remaining COOL WHIP. 

 8. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm. Sprinkle with nuts before serving. 

 

How to Toast Nuts

Toasting nuts adds crunch and intensifies their flavor. To toast nuts in the oven, spread nuts in single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 min. or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. To toast nuts on the stovetop, place nuts in ungreased skillet. Cook on medium heat until golden brown, stirring frequently. To toast nuts in the microwave, place up to 1 cup of nuts in a microwaveable shallow dish. Microwave on HIGH until fragrant and crisp, stirring every 30 sec.

See? Pretty easy. I think next time I might not use the nuts - I alternate between enjoying them and not.  And despite this being a simple pudding dessert, Francisco had to admit it was darned tasty. :)