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Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle

A layered fall dessert featuring pumpkin cheesecake filling, spiced cake or cookies, and whipped cream, assembled in a trifle dish for an easy no-bake treat.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box spice cake mix (prepared according to package instructions)
  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 16 ounces heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 4–5 crushed gingersnap cookies (or 1/3 cup toffee bits for topping)

Instructions

  1. Bake the spice cake according to package instructions; once cooled, break the cake into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with brown sugar until smooth.
  3. Add pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to the cream cheese mixture and mix until fully incorporated.
  4. In a cold bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla until stiff peaks form, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Fold a portion of the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture to lighten it.
  6. Layer the trifle starting with spice cake pieces, then pumpkin cheesecake filling, then whipped cream. Repeat layers, ending with whipped cream on top.
  7. Sprinkle crushed gingersnap cookies or toffee bits on top as garnish.
  8. Chill the assembled trifle for 30-60 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.

Notes

For best results, soften cream cheese for 30-60 minutes before making the filling. Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for authentic flavor. The trifle can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight. For a crunchier topping, substitute gingersnap cookies with toffee bits.

  • Author: Dorothy Miller
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes (for cake)
  • Method: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg