Description
Seasonal autumn “Pumpkin Dream Bars” blend silky pumpkin cream with spicy ginger snap crumbles for a classic harvest treat. Guests will crave each luxurious bite of this nostalgic fall dessert that whispers comfort in every delectable slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups ginger snap cookie crumbs (about 30–35 cookies, finely crushed)
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Filling Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pumpkin Layer Ingredients:
- 1 15-ounce (425 grams) can pumpkin puree
- 1 3.4-ounce (96 grams) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Craft a fragrant base by pulverizing ginger snap cookies and blending with melted butter until uniformly moistened.
- Firmly compress the crumbly mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an even, compact foundation.
- Refrigerate the crust while preparing subsequent layers to enhance structural integrity.
- Whisk pumpkin puree with instant vanilla pudding mix, incorporating warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency.
- In a separate bowl, transform cream cheese into a silky mixture by vigorously beating with powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Gently fold whipped topping into the cream cheese base, creating a light, airy texture.
- Delicately spread the cream cheese layer across the chilled ginger snap crust, ensuring complete coverage.
- Carefully distribute the spiced pumpkin mixture over the cream cheese stratum, maintaining clean layer definition.
- Crown the dessert with a billowing layer of whipped topping for visual appeal and additional richness.
- Seal with plastic wrap and allow the dessert to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours, permitting flavors to harmonize and layers to stabilize.
- Before serving, embellish with crushed ginger snaps, a luxurious caramel drizzle, or chopped pecans for textural contrast.
- Slice into elegant squares and savor the decadent autumnal creation.
Notes
- Swap ginger snap cookies with graham crackers or gluten-free alternatives for dietary restrictions.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and whipped topping to reduce overall calorie content and create a lighter dessert option.
- Enhance flavor complexity by toasting nuts before sprinkling on top, releasing deeper nutty undertones and adding delightful crunch.
- Create make-ahead friendly dessert by preparing layers up to two days in advance, keeping refrigerated until ready to serve for stress-free entertaining.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg