Pumpkin Lush

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Layered Pumpkin Lush — 🍁🧡🙌🏻 An EASY layered dessert with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, pudding, PUMPKIN, whipped topping, chocolate chips, and toffee bits! A little bit of CRUNCH with lots of fluffy CREAMINESS! A luscious dessert that’s perfect for entertaining because you can make it well in advance.

Pumpkin Lush - EASY layered dessert with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, pudding, PUMPKIN, whipped topping, chocolate chips, and toffee bits!! A little bit of CRUNCH with lots of fluffy CREAMINESS!!

Best Ever Layered Lush Dessert

This dessert. Oh boy. It has everything going for it.

Lush desserts (aka delight desserts) are usually made with a shortbread crust or something similar and topped with fluffy goodness in the form of pudding and whipped topping and often with some sort of fruit. My mom makes a lemon lush that’s to die for, but I digress.

No lemon here. Pumpkin instead. That’s my idea of a great trade.

It’s an almost no-bake (the crust bakes for just 10 minutes) layered dessert that begins with a slightly crunchy graham cracker crust, a sweet yet tangy layer of cream cheese, a layer of vanilla pudding that’s spiked with pumpkin, topped with whipped topping, and sprinkled with crunchy toffee bits and chocolate chips.

I love the toffee bits and chocolate chips on top for a texture wake up call. They’re a great contrast to the soft fluffiness below.

Pumpkin Lush - EASY layered dessert with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, pudding, PUMPKIN, whipped topping, chocolate chips, and toffee bits!! A little bit of CRUNCH with lots of fluffy CREAMINESS!!

Pumpkin Lush Ingredients 

To make this quick and easy recipe for pumpkin lush, you’ll need: 

  • Unsalted butter
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Cream cheese
  • Confectioners’ sugar
  • Instant vanilla pudding mix
  • Milk
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
  • Toffee bits
  • Mini chocolate chips 

Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

Pumpkin Lush - EASY layered dessert with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, pudding, PUMPKIN, whipped topping, chocolate chips, and toffee bits!! A little bit of CRUNCH with lots of fluffy CREAMINESS!!

How to Make Pumpkin Lush

This almost no-bake layered pumpkin dessert is a cinch to make! Here’s an overview of the recipe: 

  1. Mix together the simple graham cracker crust, then press into a foil-lined 9×9-inch baking dish. Bake the crust just until set, about 10 minutes.
  2. While the crust cools, beat together the powdered sugar and cream cheese. Turn the mixture into the cooled crust. 
  3. To the same bowl you made the cream cheese mixture in, add the instant pudding mix and cold milk. Stir until thick, then add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and beat to incorporate. 
  4. Gently fold 1/2 cup whipped topping into the pumpkin mixture. Then, spread it over the cream cheese layer. 
  5. Top with remaining whipped topping, sprinkle with toffee bits and chocolate chips, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. 

Recipe Variations 

This recipe for pumpkin lush couldn’t be simpler, but there are still some ways to customize the dessert. 

  • Use pumpkin spice pudding mix instead of vanilla pudding mix. There’s plenty of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice for a perfect fall dessert. I used vanilla pudding because I couldn’t find pumpkin pudding. If you can find pumpkin pudding and want to boost the intensity of pumpkin flavor, go for it. Just made sure to use INSTANT pumpkin spice pudding mix. 
  • Swap out the chocolate chips with butterscotch chips, or just use extra toffee bits. 
  • Use another sweet cracker or cookie rather than graham crackers. 
  • Use lite cream cheese rather than full-fat. Just make sure to buy the kind of cream cheese that’s sold in a brick, not the spreadable variety that comes in a tub. 

Recipe FAQs

Can I Double This Recipe? 

Yes, you may double the ingredients and assemble the pumpkin lush dessert in a 9×13-inch baking dish

Can I Make this recipe with regular pudding mix?

No! You MUST use instant vanilla pudding mix. Cook and serve vanilla pudding will not work! 

Can I Use homemade pumpkin puree?

Yes, but homemade pumpkin puree often contains more moisture than canned puree. As such, I recommend spreading it onto a few layers of paper towels and thoroughly blotting to remove any excess moisture. However, for EASE and a better guarantee the recipe will work, I suggest sticking with Libby’s Pumpkin Puree in a can.

can i use homemade whipped cream rather than cool whip?

Cool Whip or similar commercially made whipped toppings have stabilizers in them so they are more resistant to deflating over time. I don’t recommend whipping your own cream for this recipe for the deflation factor. This is a soft dessert and if your homemade whipped cream starts to deflate (and it will), your lush will be more like swampy that soft and luscious.

If you have an opposition to whipped topping or live in a country where it’s not available, this may not be the best recipe for you. I’ve never tried making it using Redi-Whip (canned or ‘spray’ whipped topping) and also just use a tub of Cool Whip that I thaw. I have made it with full fat (fine), lite (fine), and fat-free (not as good).

Can I use non-dairy milk?

Instant pudding mix will only set up properly if prepared with cow’s milk. Do not use a non-dairy substitute for this recipe!

Can This Recipe Be Made in Advance? 

Absolutely! The dessert will last up to 5 days in the fridge, so make it as far in advance as you need. 

Recipe Video Tutorial

Storage

In the fridge: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 5 days.

In the freezer: You should be fine to assemble and freeze the entire pumpkin lush dessert. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to eat. Just note that the graham cracker base might soften once frozen. 

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4.44 from 37 votes

Pumpkin Lush

By Averie Sunshine
🍁🧡🙌🏻 An EASY layered dessert with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, pudding, PUMPKIN, whipped topping, chocolate chips, and toffee bits! A little bit of CRUNCH with lots of fluffy CREAMINESS! A luscious dessert that's perfect for entertaining because you can make it well in advance.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 9
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Ingredients  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (brick style, not whipped, not lite or reduced fat)
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 ¼ cups cold milk, (use cow’s milk and not almond, soy, cashewmilk, etc. because pudding won’t thicken; the box will say 2 cups but use 1 1/4 cups)
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 8 ounce tub whipped topping, thawed (fat-free or lite okay); divided
  • ½ cup toffee bits
  • ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9-by-9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  • To a large, microwave-safe bowl add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute.
  • Add the graham crackers crumbs and toss lightly with a fork to coat crumbs evenly.
  • Turn mixture out into prepared pan, forming an even, smooth, flat crust layer by tapping crumbs into place with a spatula or your fingertips.
  • Bake for about 10 minutes or until just set; set aside to cool for 10 minutes so you don’t melt the cream cheese in the next step.
  • To a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and beat with a handheld electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and combined.
  • Turn cream cheese mixture out over graham cracker crust and spread it in an even flat layer using a spatula or knife. Be gentle and careful so you don’t rip the somewhat fragile crust; set aside.
  • To a large bowl, add the pudding mix, milk, and beat with a handheld electric mixer on medium-high speed until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Add the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and beat to incorporate.
  • Add 1/2 cup cup whipped topping and beat to incorporate.
  • Turn pumpkin mixture out over cream cheese layer, using a spatula to smooth it.
  • Evenly spread the remaining 1 1/2 cups whipped topping over the pumpkin layer.
  • Evenly sprinkle the toffee bits, chocolate chips, cover with foil and place in fridge to cool for at least 4 hours (overnight is better) before slicing and serving.

Video

Notes

Storage: Dessert will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece, Calories: 545kcal, Carbohydrates: 61g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 74mg, Sodium: 295mg, Potassium: 277mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 46g, Vitamin A: 5127IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 128mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes:

My FAVORITE PUMPKIN RECIPES on my blog!

My cookbook, Cooking With Pumpkin: Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie is my second cookbook and there are over 50 pumpkin recipes including sweets, savory, drinks, and a photo for nearly every recipe. I’d be super grateful if you headed over to Amazon to check it out!

Cooking With Pumpkin: Recipes That Go Beyond the Pie by Averie Sunshine

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Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Bread - Pumpkin bread that's like having cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing!

Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake — Easy and the BEST pumpkin cake ever! Two kinds of caramel sauce, toffee bits, chocolate chips, whipped topping and more!

Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake - Easy and the BEST PUMPKIN CAKE ever!! Two kinds of CARAMEL sauce, TOFFEE bits, CHOCOLATE CHIPS, whipped topping and more!! A total WINNER you must make!!

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – Super soft, moist, rich pumpkin flavor, and loaded with chocolate chips! Easy, no mixer recipe that’s the BEST!

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread - Super soft, moist, rich pumpkin flavor, and loaded with chocolate chips! Easy, no mixer recipe that's the BEST!!

Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – No cakey cookies here! Soft, chewy, thick, loaded with chocolate and bold pumpkin flavor! Your new favorite pumpkin cookies!

Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies - No cakey cookies here!! Soft, chewy, thick, loaded with chocolate and bold pumpkin flavor! Your new favorite pumpkin cookies!!

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars — Super soft and are like biting into a piece of rich pumpkin fudge! Loaded with chocolate and crazy good!

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars - Super soft and are like biting into a piece of rich pumpkin fudge! Loaded with chocolate and crazy good!!

Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting — 🍁🧡😋 Moist pumpkin cake is topped with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting making this a family FAVORITE recipe! This EASY fall dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving, Halloween, and more!

Originally published September 30, 2016 and republished September 27, 2024 with updated text and video.

4.44 from 37 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I been wanting to make s OP me kinda Lush for awhile and I’m not a fan of lemon. Thus looks awesome. Made it fir thanksgivjng. Hope it tastes as good as it look. All th filling tasted great while I was making it.
    Thanks for the great holiday recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    I been wanting to make s OP me kinda Lush for awhile and I’m not a fan of lemon. Thus looks awesome. Made it fir thanksgivjng. Hope it tastes as good as it look. All th filling tasted great while I was making it.
    Thanks for the great holiday recipe.

  3. Hi, Avery! I have made some of your other recipes and have never gone wrong. I’m going to make your pumpkin lush recipe with REAL pureed pumpkin for a coworker’s birthday. The only thing is that I can’t use any nut ingredients for the topping, as toffee has. I was wondering if I can replace the toffee for something else with the chocolate chips? I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Then I would probably just omit. I think with the chocolate chips, if you can’t use toffee, then I think just the chips alone are fine.