Charming Pumpkin Pecan Trifles Recipe for Autumn Joy

Fall’s golden embrace brings a decadent pumpkin pecan delight trifles dessert that dances with seasonal charm.

Layers of creamy pumpkin custard nestle between crunchy pecan crumbles, creating a symphony of textures.

Rich, velvety spices weave through each delightful bite, promising warmth and comfort.

Elegant yet approachable, this dessert captures the essence of autumn’s sweet indulgence.

Delicate glass servings showcase the beautiful amber and caramel hues of this irresistible treat.

You’ll love how effortlessly these individual trifles become the star of any gathering.

Dive into this delectable dessert and let your taste buds celebrate the magic of the season.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 560 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes Into Pumpkin Pecan Trifles

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the pumpkin cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon, Pumpkin Pie Spice: Warm, aromatic spices that define the classic autumn flavor profile.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a moist cake texture.
• Pumpkin Puree: Brings rich, earthy flavor and natural moisture to the dessert.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a soft, tender cake with perfect moisture.
• Milk: Creates smooth batter consistency and adds richness.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure to the cake.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Whipping Cream: Create a luscious, velvety caramel sauce with deep caramelized notes.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex undertone to the caramel.
• Pecans: Provide crunchy texture and nutty richness to complement the soft cake.
• Cream Cheese: Delivers tangy, smooth filling with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake layer and stabilizes whipped cream.

Tools You’ll Use for Layering Pumpkin Pecan Perfection

• 9×9 inch cake pan: Perfect for baking the pumpkin cake base.
• Large mixing bowls: One for dry ingredients, another for wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending wet ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
• 2-quart pot: Used for creating the rich caramel sauce.
• Baking sheet: Helps toast pecans evenly.
• Mixing bowl: For whipping cream cheese filling.
• Piping bag: Makes layering the filling a breeze.
• Serving dishes: Individual cups for elegant presentation.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness.
• Spatula: Helps mix and scrape ingredients.
• Electric mixer: Ensures smooth cream cheese filling.

Instructions for Stacking Pumpkin Pecan Trifles

• Cake Preparation

Whip up a delectable pumpkin cake by mixing dry ingredients and wet components, then bake until golden and fragrant. Cool completely and slice into adorable bite-sized cubes.

• Caramel Magic

Create a luscious caramel sauce by melting butter, swirling in brown sugar and cream. Let it bubble and transform into a silky, rich drizzle that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Nutty Crunch

Toast pecans in the oven until they release their warm, toasty aroma, developing a deeper, nuttier flavor that’ll add incredible texture to your dessert.

• Creamy Cheesecake Layer

Blend cream cheese and sugar until velvety smooth, then fold in whipped cream to create a cloud-like filling that’s light and decadent.

• Trifle Assembly

Start your dessert adventure by layering caramel at the bottom of each serving dish. Add pumpkin cake cubes, then pipe in the dreamy cheesecake mixture. Sprinkle toasted pecans and drizzle more caramel between each layer.

• Final Flourish

Top your trifles with a final cascade of caramel and a scattering of pecan halves. Chill briefly to let flavors mingle and textures settle into pure deliciousness.

Tips to Elevate Your Pumpkin Pecan Layers

• Perfect Pumpkin Pecan Delight Trifle Tricks
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake, caramel, and cheesecake filling a day before assembling. Store separately in airtight containers, keeping ingredients fresh and saving precious time on serving day.
• Texture Temperature Hack: Let caramel and cake cool completely before layering. Warm ingredients can cause filling to melt and lose beautiful layered presentation.
• Crunch Control: Toast pecans just until fragrant and golden brown. Over-toasting creates bitter flavor and can ruin the delicate nutty balance in this dessert.
• Piping Pro Tip: Use a large star tip when piping cheesecake filling for elegant, restaurant-style presentation. Creates beautiful swirls that elevate the visual appeal of your trifles.
• Storage Wisdom: Assembled trifles stay fresh in refrigerator for 1-2 days. Keep plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent moisture and preserve delicate layers.

Best Ways to Serve These Pumpkin Pecan Beauties

• Autumn Gathering Centerpiece: Serve these trifles as a stunning dessert centerpiece during fall dinner parties, creating an elegant display that showcases the beautiful layers and rich autumn colors.
• Brunch Dessert Delight: Pair these individual trifles with morning coffee or alongside a weekend brunch spread, offering guests a decadent sweet treat that celebrates seasonal flavors.
• Holiday Gift Inspiration: Package these trifles in clear mason jars with decorative ribbons, creating a homemade gift that friends and family will treasure as a personal and delicious present during holiday celebrations.
• Picnic Perfect Dessert: Transport these trifles in portable containers for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or potlucks, ensuring a delightful dessert that's easy to serve and guaranteed to impress everyone.

Storing Pumpkin Trifles Without Losing That Fluff

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Readiness: Keep trifles covered with plastic wrap in sealed containers up to 3 days. Chilled desserts maintain best texture and flavor when consumed within this window.
• Quick Freezing Technique: Portion individual trifles in freezer-safe jars. Wrap tightly with plastic film, then aluminum foil. Frozen treats stay delicious for 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake, caramel, and filling components separately 2-3 days prior to assembling. Store each ingredient in airtight containers in refrigerator. Assemble just before serving for maximum freshness.
• Strategic Component Separation: Keep cream cheese filling, toasted pecans, and caramel sauce in separate containers. Refrigerate filling and sauce, store nuts in sealed jar at room temperature. This prevents soggy textures and maintains crisp pecan crunch.

Heavenly Pumpkin Pecan Trifles Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Seasonal pumpkin pecan delight trifles showcase layered autumn dessert perfection with creamy spiced pumpkin mousse and crunchy caramelized pecans. Elegant individual servings deliver rich seasonal comfort you cannot resist.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
• 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 2 ½ cups heavy whipping cream (1 ½ cups + 1 cup)
• ¾ cup pecan pieces
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 4 tbsps salted butter
• 16 pecan halves
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set temperature to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×9 inch cake pan.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a large mixing bowl.
3. Blend Wet Components: Whisk together sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, milk, and eggs until fully integrated.
4. Create Cake Batter: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain light texture.
5. Bake Cake: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, verifying doneness with a toothpick test.
6. Prepare Caramel Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and whipping cream, stirring continuously until bubbling. Cook for one minute, remove from heat, and stir in vanilla extract.
7. Toast Pecans: Spread nuts on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F for 7 minutes until fragrant and golden.
8. Craft Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth, gradually incorporating whipping cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
9. Assemble Trifles: Layer caramel sauce at the bottom of serving dishes, add pumpkin cake cubes, pipe cheesecake filling, and sprinkle toasted pecans.
10. Finish and Garnish: Complete layering process, topping with a final caramel drizzle and pecan halves.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry and wet ingredients to maintain cake’s soft, tender texture and avoid tough, dense results.
• Master Caramel Technique: Stir constantly while cooking to prevent burning and achieve smooth, glossy caramel sauce without crystallization.
• Achieve Perfect Whipped Cream: Beat cream cheese mixture gradually to ensure stability and create pillowy, stiff peaks for luxurious filling.
• Temperature Control Matters: Cool cake completely before cubing to prevent structural collapse and ensure clean, neat layering in trifles.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg