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Pumpkin Trifle

Consider making a perfectly layered Pumpkin Trifle for Thanksgiving dessert. Your party guests will love the perfectly spiced cake, comforting pumpkin cheesecake, and fluffy whipped topping layers. And, the crunchy pecans and a sweet caramel drizzle take this dessert bowl to a whole other level.
Prep Time15 minutes
Chill Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pumpkin Trifle
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Jen Lunsford

Equipment

  • Trifle Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 Pumpkin Cake from my recipe here (omit cream cheese frosting)
  • 16 oz Cream Cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar
  • 2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 15 oz Pumpkin Puree
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 16 oz Cool Whip thawed divided
  • 1/2 cup chopped Pecans optional
  • 1/4 cup Caramel Sauce optional

Instructions

  • Cut pumpkin cake into approximately 1" cubes and arrange half in the bottom of a large trifle bowl. Set aside.
  • Beat cream cheese until fluffy in a large bowl.
  • Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Beat until blended.
  • Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until blended. Scrape down sides of bowl.
  • Fold 8 ounces of Cool Whip into pumpkin mixture until uniform.
  • Layer half of the pumpkin mixture onto the layer of cake pieces and smooth with a spatula. Wipe down sides as needed.
  • If using caramel sauce. drizzle a little on now.
  • Layer half of the remaining tub (4 ounces) of Cool Whip and smooth with a spatula. Wipe down sides as needed.
  • Layer remaining cake gently on Cool Whip.
  • Layer remaining pumpkin mixture onto the layer of cake pieces and smooth with a spatula. Wipe down sides as needed.
  • Layer remaining Cool Whip and smooth with a spatula.
  • Cover and refrigerate several hours.
  • Garnish with pecans, caramel sauce if desired.

Notes

  • Homemade Pumpkin Cake is BEST but feel free to use a store-bought UNFROSTED cake or bread.
  • When folding in the whipped topping with pumpkin cream cheese mixture go easy, do not over mix/fold. You will have a soupy mess if you over-mix.
  • Be careful to keep the sides of your bowl clean. Have a few paper towels available for any oopsies.
  • Use a frosting star tip with a piping bag to decorate the top, it really makes the trifle look a bit more impressive.

Nutrition

Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 543mg | Potassium: 307mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 11692IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 158mg | Iron: 3mg