Deliciously creamy no bake pumpkin dessert layered with a cream cheese filling and pecan nut pie crust. Simple dessert recipe, perfect for Thanksgiving!
Pumpkin spice is no stranger to popularity, and neither is a really good no bake dessert. Combine the two, and you've got a deliciously cold and creamy no bake pumpkin dessert that is, to put it simply, to die for.
Made with a nutty pie crust, homemade pumpkin purée, and a creamy layer of cream cheese lush, it’s just as dreamy as my favorite no bake blueberry dessert.
Like Strawberry Delight, this dessert is yet another twist on my mom's recipe for her famous Cherry Crunch. I will definitely have to share the cherry version of this recipe someday soon.
While the pie crust does require bake time, the rest of this recipe is indeed no bake. And it's actually really simple and easy to make, even though, like an icebox cake, it does require a bit of chill time before serving.
I JUST WANT THE RECIPE! TAKE ME TO THE RECIPE FOR THIS DREAMY CREAMY NO BAKE PUMPKIN DESSERT!
If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this deliciously creamy no bake pumpkin dessert recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.
INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED FOR THIS NO BAKE PUMPKIN DESSERT
You'll need just a few ingredients to make this no bake pumpkin pie absolutely delicious…
- An already baked pecan nut pie crust
- A box of Dream Whip – I'll explain why below.
- Whole milk
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar
- Cream cheese
- Pumpkin Purée
- Vanilla pudding mixes
- Pumpkin spice seasoning
- Chopped Pecans
HOW TO MAKE THE 3-INGREDIENT PIE CRUST:
Making the pie crust is so simple and easy and requires just a few minutes of bake time.
First, melt the butter; then mix it together with the flour, forming a dough. Stir in the chopped pecans.
Press the crust into a 13″x9″ baking dish, and bake at 350° for about 20 minutes, or until the crust begins to turn a golden brown.
It's important to let the crust cool before adding any filling.
Here is the full recipe for a pecan nut pie crust. Or if you’d rather have a crust without nuts, you might want to try this more traditional pie crust recipe or this easy no roll pie crust.
WHY DO I NEED DREAM WHIP FOR THIS CREAM CHEESE DESSERT? WHY CAN'T I JUST USE PLAIN WHIPPED CREAM?
I’ve tried making the cream cheese filling with homemade whipped cream; for some reason, it just doesn't work. In fact, you'll end up with a liquid goop that just won't work for pie filling.
So, I usually reserve my whipped cream for the top (or save back a little Dream Whip) and use Dream Whip for the filling, the same ingredient my mom uses in her Cherry Crunch.
Dream Whip creates an ultra creamy pie filling that's silky smooth, a bit like angel fluff (hard to describe it any other way), and so creamy delicious. It's hard to beat when it comes to making a really rich, creamy, no bake dessert.
WHAT IS IN PUMPKIN PIE SPICE ANYWAY?
Pumpkin pie spice is used more traditionally in classic pumpkin pie. But it's used in a lot of other recipes, as well, including Pumpkin Roll and Pumpkin Spice Gooey Butter Cake.
So, what is in pumpkin pie spice? It's a blend of spices, including ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger; it may also include cloves and allspice.
It smells and tastes so good and adds that pumpkin spice kick to your favorite fall dessert recipes.
TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE A CREAMY NO BAKE PUMPKIN DESSERT
When you use Dream Whip, you’ll need to mix it up according to the package directions. You can follow how to make Dream Whip Whipped Topping Mix here, but be sure to double the ingredient amounts if you do.
Mix together your whipped cream, powdered sugar, and softened cream cheese with a mixer.
Spread the creamy filling on top of your cooled pie crust. At this point, you need to save back about a cup of the Dream Whip to top off your pumpkin dessert later when you've finished making it.
For the pumpkin layer, mix together the pumpkin purée, vanilla pudding mixes, milk, and pumpkin pie spice, until you've got a creamy pumpkin pie filling. Add the pumpkin layer on top of the Dream Whip layer.
Top the entire pumpkin dessert with the leftover cup of Dream Whip, and sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
And that's it! This recipe is so easy. If you’re not quite ready to serve it, just cover it and chill in the refrigerator; and it’ll be ready when you are.
Personally, I think the colder it is, the better it tastes.
ANOTHER NO BAKE DESSERT RECIPE YOU MAY ENJOY:
Creamy No Bake Blueberry Dessert
MORE PUMPKIN DESSERT RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY:
Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake
Deliciously Moist Pumpkin Bread Recipe
And if you’re looking for even more holiday recipes, you’ll find a whole slew of them on my list of Best Thanksgiving Recipes for Your Holiday Menu.
KITCHEN TOOLS YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE A PUMPKIN NO BAKE DESSERT
13″x9″ Baking Dish – You’ll need this size baking dish for this recipe. I find myself using this size for so many recipes, not just desserts.
Mixer – You’ll need a mixer to mix together the ingredients for the creamy filling.
Spatula – Where would I be without my spatulas? I have a whole slew of them because we’re ALWAYS using them.
CREAMY NO BAKE PUMPKIN DESSERT RECIPE
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No Bake Pumpkin Dessert
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 1 box Dream Whip (2 small packets)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
No Bake Pumpkin Filling:
- 15 ounces pumpkin purée (or canned pumpkin)
- 6.8 ounces vanilla pudding mix (2 small boxes)
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Topping:
- 1 cup Dream Whip
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Prepare and bake the crust ahead of time, so it's cooled and ready to go.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the Dream Whip according to package directions, whisking the 2 small packets with the whole milk and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese well with a mixer.
- Add the cream cheese and powdered sugar to the Dream Whip whipped cream, whisking the mixture 'til it’s smooth and creamy.
- Spread about 3 cups of the creamy filling on top of the cooled crust in a 9×13 pan.
- For the pumpkin layer, mix together the pumpkin purée, vanilla pudding mixes, whole milk, and pumpkin pie spice, until you've got a creamy pumpkin pie filling.
- Spread the pumpkin layer on top of the Dream Whip layer.
- Top the entire dessert with the leftover cup of Dream Whip, and sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, before serving.
Hi is there a homemade pecan pie crust recipe?
Peggy, search for “Pecan Nut Pie Crust Recipe” on the blog. I hope this helps!
Can you use cool whip instead of dream whip?
Nonna, I’ve never used it, but I have readers who have, and they say it works just fine.