2020 Thanksgiving Family DesSert

Ingredients:

Cream Filling

• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

• 16 oz Cool Whip (see note at bottom if whipping your own)

• 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Pumpkin Filling

• 2 (3.5 oz.) packages vanilla instant pudding mix

• 1 1/2 c. milk

• 1 (15 oz.) can 100% pure pumpkin

• 1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Optional:

• Graham Crackers if you want to make a crust or a topping

• Chopped pecans for an optional topping

Directions:

For simplicity - the directions are for making individual servings in glasses like a parfait. But if you want to make a full pan of the dessert, you can make a simple graham cracker crust on the bottom. The recipe which inspired this called for a 9x9 deep dish so you can get thick layers.

For the Cream Filling:

1. With an electric mixer, cream together softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.

2. By hand, mix together defrosted cool whip and cream cheese mixture until well combined.

For the Pumpkin Filling:

1. In a mixing bowl, stir together pumpkin, milk, dry vanilla pudding mix, and 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice until well combined

Assembly:

1. Select a number of 8-10oz glasses you want to serve the dessert in.

2. Layer 1/3 Cream Filling, 1/3 Pumpkin Filling, and 1/3 Cream Filling in each glass. (or any combo you decide on)

3. (Optional) Top with chopped pecans or crumbled graham crackers if you want

4. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight before serving.

Notes:

• If you want to whip your own whipped cream, whip 2 cups whipping cream and 3 T. granulated sugar and substitute for the 16oz container of Cool Whip.

• Can be made in a pan. Recommend a 9x9 deep pan with a graham cracker crust on the bottom. If you use a bigger pan, you may need to double the recipe or your layers may be a bit thin.

• You can put each filling in its own gallon zip lock bag and snip off a corner and then use the bag to "pipe" the filling into the glasses.