Move over pumpkin pie, a new Thanksgiving dessert is in town and it is divine! I tweaked our family’s favorite pumpkin bar recipe, and instead of adding frosting, I layered the little cake squares between spoonfuls of luscious spiced pumpkin mousse. This is an incredible and versatile dessert that you can fancy up or keep simple. Just don’t forget to add a generous dollop of homemade maple whipped cream before you serve– it is the perfect finishing touch!
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Pumpkin Bars
Traditionally, pumpkin bars are a thin sheet cake, topped with cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients:
- 1 16-oz can of pumpkin
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs (lightly beaten)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
- Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs in a large bowl and mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients into the wet pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined.
- Pour batter into a greased jellyroll pain and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 23-25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Spiced Pumpkin Mousse
Ingredients:
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin
- 3 cups heavy cream, divided into 1 and 2 cup measures
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- scant 1/8 tsp ginger
- scant 1/8 tsp nutmeg
Directions:
- Combine pumpkin, 1 cup cream, sugar, and spices into a medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Whip remaining 2 cups of cream and vanilla until soft peaks form.
- Fold cooled pumpkin mixture into the whipped cream, until just combined.
To assemble the parfaits, cut small cubes of the cooled pumpkin bar and place them in the bottom of a glass. Spoon mousse over the top of the bars (alternatively you can spoon mousse into a piping bag or Ziplock and pipe it into the glass). Add another layer of pumpkin bars, followed by more mousse. Repeat with as many layers as you would like, finishing with a layer of pumpkin bar cubes. Top with a generous dollop of maple whipped cream. Devour!
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Does this sound like a treat you may try out this fall? I’m telling you, these parfaits are so tasty, they just might replace your pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving!
