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You are here: Home / Recipes / Fresh Flavors Swap / Pumpkin Wonderful Dessert Recipe

Pumpkin Wonderful Dessert Recipe

Thursday, October 29, 2015 by Lolli 24 Comments

 

I grew up surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and we always got together at Grandma and Grandpa’s house for holiday meals. Everyone had their specialty dishes that they’d bring every year, and with a big family like ours that meant a TON of delicious food. Each dish became an important part of our holiday tradition, and we noticed each time that a favorite recipe was missing. Note: affiliate links included within this post.

Pumpkin Wonderful layered dessert by Food Fun Family - a traditional Thanksgiving dish

I have continued to make our traditional holiday“Wonderful” for the last 20+ years, and the chocolate version is an all-time favorite dessert in our house. This year, I thought I’d try giving our Thanksgiving classic dessert a pumpkin twist, and I cannot begin to describe how delicious it was.

Pumpkin Wonderful: a Layered Dessert Recipe for Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Wonderful layered dessert by Food Fun Family - a traditional Thanksgiving dish

“Wonderful” starts out with a basic shortbread-type crust baked in a 9×13 pan (I added finely crushed pecans to the pumpkin version because pumpkins + pecans = perfection). On top of the crust is a cream cheese-powdered sugar-Cool Whip layer. Once that has chilled for a little while, you add a layer of pumpkin spice pudding (a seasonal treat that can be found near the regular puddings…but don’t fret if you can’t find any. You can substitute any pudding (the small 3.4 oz. boxes) for the pumpkin. Top the layers off with the rest of the Cool Whip and a sprinkling of some additional crumbled pecans.

The only question is whether I like the chocolate version or the pumpkin version better…

Pumpkin Wonderful layered dessert by Food Fun Family - a traditional Thanksgiving dish

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Pumpkin Wonderful Dessert Recipe

Ingredients

    Crust:
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 1/2 sticks (12 Tbsp) butter or margarine, melted
  • Layer 1
  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 of an 8-oz package Cool Whip (ie, 4 ounces)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Layer 2
  • 2 3.4 oz boxes of pumpkin spice Jello instant pudding, prepared according to packages (ie, whisk in 4 cups of cold milk)
  • Layer 3
  • 1/2 of an 8-oz package Cool Whip (ie, 4 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans if desired

Instructions

  1. Mix together crust ingredients and press into the bottom of a 9x13" pan. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes and then let cool.
  2. Layer 1: Meanwhile, mix ingredients for layer one. Spread over cooled crust and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Layer 2: When layer one has chilled, mix 2 boxes of pumpkin instant pudding according to package directions and spread over layer one.
  4. Layer 3: Spread the rest of the cool whip on top of the pudding and garnish with chopped nuts, if desired. Keep in the refrigerator.

Notes

Pumpkin Instant Pudding is a seasonal treat made by Jello, and can be found in October and November next to the rest of the pudding boxes. If you can't find pumpkin pudding, or if pumpkin isn't your thing, then you can substitute your favorite pudding flavor!

Also, it's totally fine to leave the nuts out.

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Pumpkin Wonderful layered dessert by Food Fun Family - a traditional Thanksgiving dish

Be sure to keep your eyes open for more Thanksgiving recipes – and if you have favorite dishes that you make for Thanksgiving, please add them to this week’s Fresh Flavors Swap linky party – Thanksgiving theme!

© 2015, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

About Lolli

Lolli has written 3740 post in this blog.

I became a mom in 1996, and in 2005 I had my fifth. Yes, 5 kids. In 2007, this blog was born (my 6th baby that will never grow up) and I've been sharing recipes, photography tricks, parenting tips, and everything in between. (Formerly Better in Bulk)

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Filed Under: Fresh Flavors Swap, Holidays & Celebrations, Recipes Tagged With: dessert, desserts, Fresh Flavors Swap, Holidays & Celebrations, pumpkin, Recipes, Thanksgiving

« Enjoying the Fall #PSF
Thanksgiving Recipes {Fresh Flavors Swap} #FlavorsSwap »

Comments

  1. nsbea says

    Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    This has been my favorite Fall recipe for years! It’s SO good! In the Spring, a lemon version is wonderful, as well.

  2. Sandi Magle says

    Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:05 am

    Gosh, this looks darn NUMMY! Thanks for sharing, from SYS

  3. Jenny says

    Monday, September 10, 2018 at 6:37 am

    I can’t wait to try this. We love no bake desserts with a cool whip and pudding mix. I can’t wait to try the pumpkin spice, I’ll be on the lookout for it. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! Pinning to try!

  4. Heidi Robbins says

    Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 2:29 am

    I’m loving all the great pumpkin recipes! this one looks so delicious!

  5. Sahana says

    Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 9:38 am

    Looks yummy. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty.See you again next week.

  6. Karly says

    Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    This looks amazing! Thanks for linkin’ up with What’s Cooking Wednesday!

  7. Lisa @ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air says

    Friday, September 16, 2016 at 12:43 am

    Hi there, nice to meet you, visiting from little farmstead……This recipe looks yummy cant wait to try it! Thanks for sharing Lisa@ Sweet Tea N’ Salty Air

  8. Sara Syrett says

    Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Yum! I love to make this recipe with pistachio pudding! Pumpkin would be so good. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!

  9. Pamela-FromMyFrontPorchToYours says

    Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 9:37 am

    This sounds so yummy!! I am a sucker for anything pumpkin.

  10. Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says

    Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 9:41 pm

    This looks so delicious! I’m totally putting it on my Thanksgiving menu! Thanks so much for sharing at our party… featuring you on Sunday!

  11. Janet Vinyard says

    Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    Hi Lolli, This dessert looks scrumptious! Shortbread makes such a tasty base, too. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Pinned! Blessings, Janet

  12. Lolli says

    Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 10:16 am

    My original recipe uses chocolate pudding, but we really loved this pumpkin variety! :)

  13. Michelle says

    Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 9:15 am

    Looks fantastic!
    I love how creamy it looks.
    Amazing flavors too!
    Thanks for the recipe!
    Michelle

  14. Judy Brundage says

    Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 6:22 am

    We make ours with lemon pudding….everything else is the same. Very delicious and refreshing!

  15. Kim~madeinaday says

    Monday, September 12, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    This looks fabulous! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Pinned! Have a great week!
    Kim

  16. Valerie says

    Monday, September 12, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    This is making my mouth water! What an awesome Thanksgiving dessert recipe idea!

  17. Lolli says

    Monday, September 12, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Yes! The Cool Whip is perfect with the pumpkin pudding layer! Thanks :)

  18. Malia@Small Town Girl Blog says

    Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 8:49 pm

    This sounds lovely. I like the lightness of the cool whip. A perfect complement to the pumpkin layer! Pinned and sharing!

  19. Julie Wood says

    Friday, December 25, 2015 at 9:16 am

    This looks so delicious and a really good recipe to make over the Holidays. I would love to take this dish to my pot luck I go to every month. Thanks for a delicious recipe to try out.

  20. Karen Glatt says

    Friday, November 13, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    This recipe looks so delicious and I want to make this recipe for Thanksgiving and take it to my Sister’s house and have it as a dessert. It looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing.

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Delicious Fall Desserts | Walking On Sunshine Recipes says:
    Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    […]   #3 Pumpkin Wonderful Dessert from Food Fun Family […]

  2. Pumpkin Spice Desserts | This Mama Loves says:
    Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    […] Pumpkin Wonderful Dessert from Food Fun Family […]

  3. Easy Fall Dessert Recipes: Delicious Dishes Recipe Party | This Mama Loves says:
    Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 7:54 am

    […] Weekly Meal Plan from Organized Island #3: Pumpkin Wonderful Dessert from Food Fun […]

  4. Collection of Pumpkin Recipes You Need to Make | TidyMom says:
    Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 7:16 pm

    […] Pumpkin Wonderful Layered Dessert Recipe at Food Fun Family […]

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