No-Bake Pumpkin Dream Bars Recipe
Introduction
No-Bake Pumpkin Dream Bars are a delightful and easy dessert perfect for the fall season. With a creamy pumpkin layer atop a crunchy graham crust, these bars come together quickly without the need for baking.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup whipped topping
- 1 prepared graham cracker crust
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, blend the pumpkin purée and softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Step 2: Gently fold in the whipped topping until fully combined and creamy.
- Step 3: Spread the mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust.
- Step 4: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra spice, add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the pumpkin and cream cheese mixture.
- Use a homemade or store-bought graham cracker crust for convenience.
- Top with chopped pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce for added texture and flavor.
Storage
Store the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To enjoy later, simply remove from the fridge and serve chilled. Avoid freezing to maintain the creamy texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these bars dairy-free?
Yes, substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative and use dairy-free whipped topping to make the recipe dairy-free.
How long do these bars need to chill?
They should chill for at least 2 hours until the filling is firm enough to slice and serve.
PrintNo-Bake Pumpkin Dream Bars Recipe
No-Bake Pumpkin Dream Bars are a creamy, luscious dessert that combines smooth pumpkin purée with rich cream cheese and light whipped topping on a crunchy graham cracker crust. This easy-to-make treat requires no oven baking, making it perfect for quick preparation and a delightful fall-inspired dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 prepared graham cracker crust (approximately 9 inches)
Filling
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping: Gently fold the whipped topping into the pumpkin mixture until evenly incorporated and light and fluffy.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the pumpkin cream cheese mixture evenly into the prepared graham cracker crust and spread it out in an even layer.
- Chill until firm: Place the assembled bars in the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or until firm and set.
- Serve: Once chilled and firm, slice into bars and serve chilled for a delicious no-bake pumpkin dessert.
Notes
- Use canned pumpkin purée for best and consistent results.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- For a lighter version, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese and light whipped topping.
- Keep the bars refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
- Optional: garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of whipped topping before serving.
Keywords: no-bake pumpkin bars, pumpkin dessert, pumpkin cream cheese bars, fall dessert, easy no-bake dessert
