Description
No Bake Pumpkin Lush is a creamy, layered pumpkin dessert featuring a gingersnap cookie crust, pumpkin spice pudding, and a rich pumpkin cream cheese layer topped with cool whip and pecans. It’s an easy, no-bake treat perfect for fall celebrations and pumpkin lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ⅓ cups crushed Gingersnap cookie crumbs (about 25 cookies depending on size)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pudding Layer
- 3.4 ounce package Pumpkin Spice Pudding Mix (can substitute butterscotch pudding)
- 1 ½ cups milk
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Layer
- 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- ¼ cup pure pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 cup Cool Whip (divided total of 8 ounces)
Topping
- Chopped pecans (optional)
- Additional crushed Gingersnap cookies (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Melt the butter in a small bowl and mix in the crushed gingersnap cookie crumbs until fully combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan and place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to harden.
- Make the pudding layer: In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin spice pudding mix and 1 ½ cups milk until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to set.
- Prepare the pumpkin cream cheese layer: Beat the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice; mix to combine. Gently fold in 1 cup of Cool Whip with a rubber spatula until fully incorporated.
- Assemble the dessert: Remove the crust from the freezer and spread the pumpkin cream cheese layer evenly over it. Next, spread the chilled pudding layer evenly on top of the cream cheese. Finally, cover with the remaining Cool Whip, smoothing it over the top.
- Chill the dessert: Refrigerate the assembled pumpkin lush for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results. Alternatively, freeze it for 1 hour and 30 minutes to speed up setting.
- Add toppings and serve: Before serving, sprinkle chopped pecans and extra crushed gingersnap cookies on top, if desired, for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Pumpkin Spice Pudding mix can be found at Walmart or on Amazon; if unavailable, butterscotch pudding is a suitable substitute.
- Chilling the dessert overnight yields the best texture and flavor combination.
- Using parchment paper makes it easier to lift and slice the pumpkin lush bars cleanly.
- For a dairy-free alternative, try substituting cream cheese and Cool Whip with dairy-free versions.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (based on 9 servings)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
