Ah, Thanksgiving! It’s that magical time of year when families gather around the table, sharing laughter, stories, and of course, delicious food. One of my favorite parts about this holiday is indulging in *no bake Thanksgiving desserts*. They’re not just simple to whip up, but they also let you focus more on creating memories with loved ones rather than stressing in the kitchen. Picture this: a creamy pumpkin dessert, chilled to perfection and resting on a buttery graham cracker crust, just waiting to be sliced. Trust me, this easy recipe will win over any crowd and make your Thanksgiving celebration a little sweeter. So, let’s dive into this delightful no-bake treat that captures the essence of fall in every bite!
Ingredients for No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making these scrumptious no bake desserts. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs: These give the dessert a deliciously buttery base. You can crush them yourself or buy them pre-made—whatever works best for you!
- 1/2 cup melted butter: This helps bind the crumbs together, creating a rich and flavorful crust. Just melt it in the microwave or on the stove; it should be nice and warm when you mix it in.
- 1 cup pumpkin puree: Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree for that authentic fall flavor. Canned works like a charm!
- 1 cup cream cheese: Bring it to room temperature for easy mixing. This adds a creamy texture that really complements the pumpkin.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: This sweetens the filling without making it grainy. It also helps create that dreamy, smooth consistency we all love!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla adds depth to the flavor. Don’t skip this; it makes a world of difference!
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice: This is where the magic happens! If you’re in a pinch, you can totally swap this with cinnamon.
- 1 cup whipped cream: Fold this in at the end for a light and airy finish. You can use homemade or store-bought—no judgment here!
How to Prepare No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
Now that you’ve got your ingredients ready, let’s get into the fun part—making this delightful no bake dessert! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying a creamy pumpkin treat in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
First things first, we need to whip up that delicious crust! In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until it resembles wet sand. You want a nice, crumbly texture that holds together when pressed. Once it’s well combined, transfer the mixture to a pie dish. Press it firmly into the bottom and up the sides to form a crust that’s even and compact. This will give you a sturdy base for all that creamy goodness!
Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Filling
Next up, let’s make that luscious pumpkin filling! In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice. I like to start with the cream cheese and powdered sugar first, blending them until smooth. Then, gently fold in the pumpkin puree and spices until everything is beautifully combined. This keeps the filling nice and fluffy!
Step 3: Assemble the Dessert
Now for the fun part—assembling your dessert! Carefully fold in the whipped cream into your pumpkin mixture. This lightens it up and gives it that irresistible texture. Once it’s mixed, spread the filling evenly over the crust, smoothing it out with a spatula. Make sure it’s nice and even so every slice looks gorgeous!
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Finally, pop the dessert into the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 4 hours (or overnight, if you can wait!). This helps all those flavors meld together beautifully. When you’re ready to serve, slice it into wedges and enjoy it cold. Trust me, that first bite will be pure bliss!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This no bake Thanksgiving dessert is a total game-changer for your holiday festivities! Here’s why you’re going to fall in love with it:
- Quick Preparation: With just 20 minutes of hands-on time, you can whip up this dessert while juggling all your other Thanksgiving preparations.
- No Baking Required: Forget about turning on the oven! This recipe is all about simplicity, making it perfect for those hot Thanksgiving days when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
- Delicious Flavors: The combination of creamy pumpkin and spiced whipped cream creates a flavor explosion that screams fall. It’s like a hug in dessert form!
- Effortlessly Impressive: Your guests will be wowed by this elegant dessert, and they’ll never guess how easy it was to make.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: You can prepare this dessert a day in advance, allowing the flavors to deepen and making your Thanksgiving day a breeze.
Tips for Success with No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
As with any recipe, a few little tips can make all the difference in achieving the best results for your no bake Thanksgiving desserts. Here are my top suggestions to ensure your creation is a hit!
- Make It Ahead of Time: If you can, prepare this dessert the day before Thanksgiving. The flavors really deepen as it sits, and it will save you time on the big day—trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest filling, let your cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing. It’ll blend more easily and create that creamy texture we all love.
- Don’t Skip the Whipped Cream: Folding in fresh whipped cream is key to achieving that light, airy texture. If you prefer convenience, store-bought whipped cream works just as well—no judgment here!
- Experiment with Spices: If you don’t have pumpkin spice on hand, feel free to use cinnamon or even a pinch of nutmeg. These spices add warmth and enhance the overall flavor.
- Adjust for Sweetness: Depending on your taste and the sweetness of your pumpkin puree, you might want to tweak the amount of powdered sugar. Start with a little less, and add more if needed after tasting!
- Store Properly: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last for about 3–4 days, but I doubt there’ll be much left after everyone has a taste!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the typical nutritional breakdown for each slice of this delightful no bake Thanksgiving dessert. Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used:
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 32g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 3g
This dessert is a delightful treat that balances indulgence with some wholesome ingredients, making it a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table!
FAQ About No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend making this no bake Thanksgiving dessert ahead of time. Preparing it a day in advance not only saves you time on the big day but also allows all those delicious flavors to meld together beautifully. Trust me, it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge overnight!
What can I substitute for pumpkin puree?
If you don’t have pumpkin puree on hand, no worries! You can easily substitute it with butternut squash puree or sweet potato puree. Both alternatives will lend a similar sweetness and texture, ensuring your dessert still packs a flavorful punch. Just make sure to choose pureed versions without added sugars or spices for the best results!
How long can I store leftovers?
If you happen to have any leftovers (which I doubt you will!), you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. Just make sure it’s well covered to keep it fresh. When you’re ready to enjoy another slice, simply grab it from the fridge and savor that delightful chilled goodness!
Call to Action
I hope you’re as excited to try this no bake Thanksgiving dessert as I am! If you whip it up, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. Feel free to leave a comment below sharing your experience or any tips you might have! Did you make any fun twists on the recipe? Let’s chat about it! And if you enjoyed this recipe, please consider sharing it with your friends and family. After all, nothing brings people together quite like delicious food. Happy cooking, and may your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, laughter, and of course, plenty of yummy treats!
Imprimer
No Bake Thanksgiving Desserts That Will Wow Your Guests
- Temps Total: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Rendement: 8 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A collection of easy no-bake desserts perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 cup whipped cream
Instructions
- Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a pie dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin puree, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice.
- Fold in whipped cream until fully combined.
- Spread the pumpkin mixture over the crust.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Slice and serve cold.
Notes
- Use store-bought whipped cream for convenience.
- Substitute pumpkin spice with cinnamon if needed.
- Make a day ahead for best flavor.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 0 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sucre: 18g
- De Sodium: 150mg
- La graisse: 15g
- Graisses Saturées: 8g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 5g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 32g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 3g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 30mg
Mots-clés: no bake thanksgiving desserts, easy dessert recipes, pumpkin desserts
