Pumpkin Pie Parfait

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Amy Hand
Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef and the head chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

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Pumpkin Pie Parfait

Pumpkin pie parfait combines all the Fall flavors you love into one delectably creamy dessert.

Pumpkin pie is a staple component of Halloween and Thanksgiving, so with Thanksgiving on its way, we thought it would be the perfect time to embrace the pumpkin again.

This is a great dish to make when entertaining

This is a great dish to make when you are entertaining but don’t want to make the expected pumpkin pie yet again!

The light and creamy mousse-like pumpkin and cream cheese (that doesn’t overpower it) mixture has a hint of warming spices and contrasts beautifully with the crunchy ginger cookies.

light and creamy mousse-like pumpkin and cream cheese

The whipped cream between the pumpkin layers looks beautiful and creates an element of lightness to break up the dense texture.

Why you will love this Pumpkin pie parfait recipe…

  • Fall flavors- The pumpkin, spices, and ginger cookies scream Fall and Thanksgiving.
  • Great for entertaining- This dessert is bound to be a hit with guests at your Thanksgiving dinner.
  • Quick and easy- This whole dish takes just 15 minutes to make.
  • No pastry- Saves you buying or making and baking a pie crust that can easily go wrong.
  • Creamy texture- The unctuous texture is indulgent and so moreish.
Why you will love this Pumpkin pie parfait recipe

Pumpkin Pie Parfait

Celebrate autumn with this Pumpkin Pie Parfait! Layers of creamy pumpkin spice filling, whipped cream, and crunchy gingersnaps offer a delightful twist on the classic pie.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 379 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8.8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 2.2 oz brown or dark muscovado sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (either canned or pureed from about 28 oz roasted pumpkin)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon ground
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg ground
  • 1/2 tsp ginger ground
  • 7 oz gingernut/ginger snap biscuits (broken into pieces (I used gluten-free home-made gingernuts)*

Instructions
 

Ingredients

  • Pumpkin Pie Parfait Ingredients
  • Pour cream, 4 tablespoons sugar, and vanilla into a bowl and beat until it reaches soft peak stage (don’t over-mix!). Place in refrigerator until needed.
    Pumpkin Pie Parfait Instruction - Beat the Cream
  • In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese.
  • Gradually add the brown sugar, and mix until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and beat until combined. (NB: At this point, if you have roasted your own pumpkin, I strongly suggest you pass the mixture through a sieve to ensure it’s nice and smooth).
  • Using a large spatula, gently fold in 1/3 portion of the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture until just combined. (If making ahead, store this mixture in the fridge until needed).

To assemble:

  • Add some broken biscuits into six to eight serving glasses. Dollop over some of the pumpkin mixture and then some of the whipped cream.
    Pumpkin Pie Parfait Instruction - Assemble
  • Pumpkin Pie Parfait Instruction - Dollop over some of the pumpkin mixture
  • Repeat once or twice depending on the size of the glass and how many you’re serving.
    Pumpkin Pie Parfait Instruction - Repeat
  • Garnish with extra biscuit crumbs, if desired.
    Pumpkin Pie Parfait Instruction - Garnish with extra biscuit crumbs

Notes

*Home-made biscuits tend not to be as hard as commercial ones, so don’t assemble the dessert too far ahead of eating, or the crumbs will be very soft

Nutrition

Calories: 379kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 4gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 118mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 6060IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Parfaits, Pumpkin Pie Parfait
Tried this recipe?Let us know how if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

The Pumpkin Pie Parfait is a deliciously creamy and spiced dessert, perfect for fall and Thanksgiving dinners.

To make your meal even more memorable, pair this dessert with complementary savory dishes or beverages that enhance its flavors.

Here are some great food pairing suggestions:

These pairings will create a balanced and enjoyable dining experience, perfect for your fall or Thanksgiving celebration.

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Don’t overmix the cream cheese – This can make it go watery and lose its shape.
  • Toast the spices – This will bring out the flavors and remove that raw spice taste.
  • Make it in advance – These parfaits are even better when allowed to sit for a few hours, so feel free to prepare them beforehand.
  • Top with toasted nuts – This will add extra flavor and an extra crunch.
perfect for your fall or Thanksgiving celebration.

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Cover each serving glass with clingfilm and store in the fridge for up to three days. Be aware that the cookies may become soft, and the whipped cream will deflate slightly the longer they are stored.

Pumpkin Pie Parfait FAQs

Is there a difference between pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin puree?

Tinned pumpkin puree is just cooked and blended pumpkin. On the other hand, tinned pumpkin pie filling contains additional ingredients like sugar, spices, and thickeners. This recipe requires plain pumpkin puree.

Is pumpkin pie healthy?

As with many things, when eaten in moderation, pumpkin pie is perfectly healthy. Pumpkin contains vitamins A, E, and C, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, and beta-carotene, so it has more health benefits than your average dessert.

What is a traditional parfait made of?

In France, where the dish originated, a parfait is a frozen dessert made from eggs, sugar syrup, and cream. However, it has been used in America to describe desserts or breakfasts that feature layers, especially with a creamy element.

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Amy Hand
About The Author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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