Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Pumpkin Dessert

Teresa Ambra

Pumpkin Delight! Pumpkin Dessert! Oh, my! This is a fabulous dessert and great for holiday entertaining. This is one of those scrumptious recipe finds that your family will love. It’s a great recipe to use to replace the traditional pumpkin pie during the holidays (that’s not being sacrilegious is it?) And it’s a whole lot easier than making home-made pie crust.

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Pumpkin Dessert is a layered pumpkin dessert with a box cake mix crust, pumpkin pie filling in the center, streusel topping and then whipped cream spread over top (or dolloped on top of individual servings if you prefer). For those of you who don’t care for cool whip you can substitute scoops of ice cream on top. You can even add nuts if you prefer, although this recipe doesn’t call for it.

My favorite cook, Mimi Pownall, provided me with the recipe. I’ve looked all over the Internet and cannot figure out how originated the recipe, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t originally from Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Mix.

There are hundreds of delicious recipes on this site and they include Nestle’s Toll House recipes and Carnation recipes so they have a great selection. Here’s another place to stop on their website and drool over fantastic looking recipes.

The recipe Mimi gave me offers two ways to make the pumpkin filling. One with Libby’s pumpkin pie mix (you can only find this during the holidays so you have to stock up if you want it throughout the year). The other way is to use canned pumpkin and extra ingredients to make it into pumpkin pie mix.

Whichever way you make it, Pumpkin Dessert is sure to please every appetite. It is rich, gooey, delicious and to die for! Go ahead and be brave. Skip Pumpkin Pie this year and make Pumpkin Dessert instead. It will surely satisfy every sweet tooth craving.

When I initially posted this recipe in July 2012 it was only a few weeks after I began blogging. I was using an iPhone 3 for a camera so my pictures were blurry and not very presentable. For a dessert as magnificent as this one, I knew that had to change!

I recently remade this recipe (December 2015) for a Christmas party our Sunday school class was having. Everyone raved over this dessert. Thankfully, because we had quite a few other desserts, we were able to bring home some leftovers, for which my husband was very grateful. He loves this dessert and he was able to get his fill of it this time. 🙂

A couple of thoughts about making this dessert: if you don’t find pumpkin pie mix and have to mix up your own per the recipe below, don’t forget you still have to add the additional milk and eggs to it that are in the pumpkin layer.

Also, while I cut the butter into the streusel topping and added it on top before baking, I’ve also melted the butter for the streusel as well. That makes a different consistency and you just kind of glob the streusel topping on top, but over all the taste is still great. Either way works out wonderful.

Finally, you do have to make sure you cook this recipe long enough so that it sets up correctly. I’ve NEVER been able to get it to cook in under an hour whether my oven was hot or slow. I actually took this out of the oven (after 45 minutes), and allowed it to cool completely. When I cut into it, I realized it really wasn’t done enough.

I put it back into the oven and cooked it another 15-20 minutes before I was satisfied that it was set completely. The second time was a charm, because this time it was completely baked. This is supposed to be kind of like a custard, so it does need to be cooked all the way through and not be gooey in the center. I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s always been one of our holiday favorites.

This delicious recipe is posted at All Free Casserole Recipes here.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Pumpkin Dessert is one of our favorite Thanksgiving desserts!

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Here, I’ve dolloped the cool whip on top of the Pumpkin Dessert. Serve this luscious dessert either way: with cool whip dolloped on top or spread over the entire dessert. 

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

You can also serve Pumpkin Dessert with ice cream if you prefer.

Here’s what I did.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

I used these ingredients.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Measure out 1 cup of the yellow cake mix and reserve it for the streusel topping. Place the remaining cake mix in mixing bowl, add egg and butter. Stir all ingredients together. Dough will be very sticky.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Spray baking dish with cooking spray. Press cake mix dough into sprayed baking dish.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

In another mixing bowl pour pumpkin pie mix. Add eggs and milk. Stir pumpkin pie mix ingredients together with whisk. 

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Pour pumpkin mixture over top of crust mixture in baking pan.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

To make streusel: Place reserved 1 cup yellow cake mix in mixing bowl. Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir streusel ingredients together. 

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender until well combined.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Sprinkle streusel mixture on top of pumpkin mixture. 

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Bake about 60-70 minutes at 350. Mixture will be firmly set in the middle.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Pumpkin Dessert is one of the best desserts you’ll ever sink your teeth into! Here it is without Cool Whip topping. The nice thing about this dessert is you can freeze it either before or after adding whipped topping.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

I normally serve the dessert by spreading the topping over top of the whole dessert.

Here’s the recipe.

PUMPKIN DESSERT

(Recipe from Mimi Pownall, when we attended First Baptist Church Indian Rocks, Largo, FL )

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Pumpkin Dessert

Teresa Ambra
Pumpkin Dessert is fabulous for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner menus. This spectacular dessert is better than eating Pumpkin Pie and so much easier than rolling out homemade pie crust. It's fabulous to make for holiday entertaining but delightful enough for any potluck or family dinner.
3.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 303 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 2 medium mixing bowls
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 whisk
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 pastry blender

Ingredients
  

CRUST:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix reserve 1 cup for streusel topping
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 large egg

FILLING:

  • 30 oz. can pumpkin pie mix not canned pumpkin (see below)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup 2% milk

TOPPING:

  • 1 cup reserved cake mix
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

Instructions
 

CRUST:

  • Spray a 9x13” baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix crust ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and spoon into prepared baking dish.
  • Because this mixture is so sticky, you will need to spread it into the pan with the back of a wooden spoon.

FILLING:

  • Mix together all filling ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk and pour over crust layer.

TOPPING:

  • Stir remaining cake mix, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Cut in butter with pastry blender (or you can melt the butter in a microwave and just stir everything together).
  • Sprinkle over filling.
  • Bake at 350° for about 60-70 minutes or until set.
  • Cool completely.
  • Top with Cool Whip when cooled and refrigerate.
  • Or you can freeze this (with or without cool whip on top).
  • Remove from freezer an hour before serving.

Notes

NOTE: I like to refrigerate this dessert spread with Cool Whip topping overnight before serving as it enhances the flavors.
 
NOTE: The topping and filling needs to be completely set before this recipe is done. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent with foil until dessert is baked thoroughly.
 
NOTE: Your oven may cook more quickly. Start checking after 45 minutes.
 
NOTE: I have also softened the butter to make the streusel topping but it will have a different consistency.
 
NOTE: This recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Pie Mix replaces the pumpkin pie mix in the recipe. You will still need to add the two eggs and 2/3 cup milk to complete this layer.
 
NOTE: If you have only fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin, mix the following ingredients to get pumpkin pie mix:
1 can pumpkin
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup half-and-half or evaporated milk
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. ground cloves
Combine and use for pumpkin pie mix in the recipe.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 389mgPotassium: 134mgFiber: 5gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 5061IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cake, dessert, pumpkin
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Pumpkin Dessert[/b]
Recipe Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from Mimi Pownall, when we attended First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, Largo, FL
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 15
This spectacular des[url href=”http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/12/05/homemade-pie-crust/” target=”_blank” title=”homemade pie crust”]sert is better than eating Pumpkin Pie and so much easier than rolling out [/url]homemade pie crust. It’s fabulous to make for holiday entertaining.
Ingredients
  • [b]CRUST:[/b][br]
  • 1 box [url href=”http://www.bettycrocker.com/” target=”_blank” title=”betty crocker cake mix”]Betty Crocker[/url] yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup for streusel topping)
  • ½ cup Land O’ Lakes melted, unsalted butter
  • 1 egg[br]
  • [b]FILLING:[/b][br]
  • 1 30-oz. can [url href=”http://www.libbys.com/our-products” target=”_blank” title=”libby’s pumpkin pie mix”]Libby’s[/url] pumpkin pie mix (see below)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup milk[br]
  • [b]TOPPING:[/b][br]
  • 1 cup reserved cake mix
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • ¼ cup butter
Instructions
[b]CRUST:[/b][br]
  1. Spray a 9×13” baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. Mix above ingredients and spoon into prepared pan.
  3. Because this mixture is so sticky, you will need to spread it into the pan with the back of a wooden spoon.[br]
[b]FILLING:[/b][br]
  1. Mix together and pour over crust layer.[br]
[b]TOPPING:[/b][br]
  1. Stir cake mix, brown sugar and cinnamon together.
  2. Cut in butter with pastry blender (or you can melt the butter in a microwave and just stir everything together).
  3. Sprinkle over filling.
  4. Bake at 350° for about 60-70 minutes or until set.
  5. Cool completely.
  6. Top with Cool Whip when cooled and refrigerate.
  7. Or you can freeze this (with or without cool whip on top).
  8. Remove from freezer a few hours before serving.
Notes
I like to refrigerate this dessert spread with Cool Whip topping overnight before serving as it enhances the flavors.[br][br]The topping and filling needs to be completely set before this recipe is done. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent with foil until dessert is baked thoroughly.[br][br]Your oven may cook more quickly. Start checking after 45 minutes.[br][br]I have also softened the butter to make the streusel topping but it will have a different consistency.

 

[b]Homemade Pumpkin Pie Mix[/b]
Recipe Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from Mimi Pownall, when we attended First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, Largo, FL
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 15
This spectacular dessert is better than eating Pumpkin Pie and so much easier than rolling out [url href=”http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/12/05/homemade-pie-crust/” target=”_blank” title=”homemade pie crust”]homemade pie crust[/url]. It’s fabulous to make for holiday entertaining. This is a simple way to make your own Pumpkin Pie Mix in recipes.
Ingredients
  • 1 can pumpkin
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 cup half-and-half or evaporated milk
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. ginger
  • ¼ tsp. ground cloves
Instructions
  1. Mix ingredients and use in place of pumpkin pie mix.
Notes
This recipe replaces the pumpkin pie mix in the recipe. You will still need to add the two eggs and 2/3 cup milk to complete this layer.
Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Pumpkin Dessert is so much easier to make than baking home made pumpkin pie with a homemade pie crust.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Pumpkin Dessert is a spectacular dessert for holiday entertaining. Everyone loves this dessert.

Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this marvelous #dessert has always been a family favorite. We love making it for the #holidays. So much easier than #pumpkinpie, too! #pumpkin

Your guests will love this holiday dessert!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Pumpkin Spice Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #cake is filled with #pumpkin, spices & #pecans & topped with a heavenly #creamcheese frosting. #dessert

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pumpkin Dump Cake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this spectacular #DumpCake is not just for #Fall! It's made with #pumpkin, #pecans & HeathEnglishToffeeBits. This drool-worthy #dessert will knock your socks off! Serve for #holidays like #MothersDay or #FathersDay. #Toffee #Caramel #PumpkinDessert #ToffeeDessert #PumpkinDumpCake #HolidayDessert #MothersDayDessert #FathersDayDessert

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Sopapilla Cheesecake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious #cheesecake uses only 6 ingredients! It's so easy, making it the perfect #dessert for company. #TexMex #creamcheese #PillsburyCrescentRolls #cinnamon
Pumpkin Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Pumpkin Dessert

Teresa Ambra
Pumpkin Dessert is fabulous for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner menus. This spectacular dessert is better than eating Pumpkin Pie and so much easier than rolling out homemade pie crust. It's fabulous to make for holiday entertaining but delightful enough for any potluck or family dinner.
3.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 303 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 2 medium mixing bowls
  • 2 wooden spoons
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 whisk
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 pastry blender

Ingredients
  

CRUST:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix reserve 1 cup for streusel topping
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 large egg

FILLING:

  • 30 oz. can pumpkin pie mix not canned pumpkin (see below)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cup 2% milk

TOPPING:

  • 1 cup reserved cake mix
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

Instructions
 

CRUST:

  • Spray a 9×13” baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Mix crust ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and spoon into prepared baking dish.
  • Because this mixture is so sticky, you will need to spread it into the pan with the back of a wooden spoon.

FILLING:

  • Mix together all filling ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk and pour over crust layer.

TOPPING:

  • Stir remaining cake mix, brown sugar and cinnamon together in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Cut in butter with pastry blender (or you can melt the butter in a microwave and just stir everything together).
  • Sprinkle over filling.
  • Bake at 350° for about 60-70 minutes or until set.
  • Cool completely.
  • Top with Cool Whip when cooled and refrigerate.
  • Or you can freeze this (with or without cool whip on top).
  • Remove from freezer an hour before serving.

Notes

NOTE: I like to refrigerate this dessert spread with Cool Whip topping overnight before serving as it enhances the flavors.
 
NOTE: The topping and filling needs to be completely set before this recipe is done. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent with foil until dessert is baked thoroughly.
 
NOTE: Your oven may cook more quickly. Start checking after 45 minutes.
 
NOTE: I have also softened the butter to make the streusel topping but it will have a different consistency.
 
NOTE: This recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Pie Mix replaces the pumpkin pie mix in the recipe. You will still need to add the two eggs and 2/3 cup milk to complete this layer.
 
NOTE: If you have only fresh pumpkin or canned pumpkin, mix the following ingredients to get pumpkin pie mix:
1 can pumpkin
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup half-and-half or evaporated milk
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. ground cloves
Combine and use for pumpkin pie mix in the recipe.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 389mgPotassium: 134mgFiber: 5gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 5061IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cake, dessert, pumpkin
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

12 Comments

  • sherry m.

    July 10, 2022 at 5:32 am

    made this dessert and I used my homemade pumpkin pie puree, it is wonderful,great-tasting, and a hit with my family. will make it again. thank you.

    1. Teresa

      July 11, 2022 at 7:23 am

      Hi Sherry, yes it’s especially good around Thanksgiving. This vintage recipe is a keeper!

  • Best 30 Canned Pumpkin Desserts Recipes – Home, Family, Style and Art Ideas

    June 27, 2020 at 2:39 am

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  • TERESA

    August 18, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    Looks really good

    1. Teresa

      August 19, 2019 at 7:32 am

      It really is terrific.

  • MaryC

    November 27, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Just wondering what size can of pumpkin or pumkin pie mix. 30 oz or 15. Thanks!

    1. Teresa

      November 27, 2014 at 12:15 pm

      Mary, I use a 15-oz. can of pumpkin when I make this and add all the other ingredients necessary to make it pumpkin pie mix, or a 30-oz. can of ready made pumpkin pie mix.

  • Amanda

    November 25, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    1 star
    I tried this and the last step came out terrible me and my husband followed the last steps one by one and it still turned out thick and not able to “sprinkle” i’m really frustrated considering I was making this for thanksgiving for both my husbands offices. I wasted money and a lot of time on this to turn out the way it did. You should fix your instructions or something because no way it turned out like that. I wasted my entire night.

    1. Teresa

      November 26, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Amanda, I am so, so sorry. I’ve never had any problem with dabbing the streusel topping on top. It bakes into the pumpkin dessert and will not be a crispy, crunchy sprinkle (as my pictures show), but it adds a lot of flavor. Then I cover the dessert with Cool Whip so you are never able to actually see the streusel. I bet if you cover the dessert with cool whip and refrigerate them until you’re ready to serve them everyone will find them fantastic. Again, I apologize. I’ve never had the dessert turn out tasting badly or having a weird consistency.

  • Pumpkin Breakfast Cobbler – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    March 2, 2014 at 6:51 pm

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