Description
Salted caramel pumpkin parfaits combine autumn’s coziest flavors in a luxurious dessert layered with creamy pumpkin mousse and rich caramel. Delicate spices and crunchy graham cracker crumbs create a perfect harmony that welcomes cooler seasons with delightful sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can pumpkin puree
- 2 (10 ounces / 280 grams) containers Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting, thawed
- 40 gingersnaps, chopped
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives:
- 2 cups cold milk
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature
- 1 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1 (5.1 ounces / 145 grams) package vanilla instant pudding mix
Spices and Seasoning:
- 1 ½ tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Craft a luscious caramel foundation by evenly distributing sugar across a medium saucepan, heating at medium-high temperature until it transforms into a golden liquid.
- Continuously whisk the melting sugar, monitoring its progression to a deep amber hue, indicating optimal caramelization.
- Introduce butter cubes simultaneously, whisking vigorously to create a smooth, glossy mixture that may bubble intensely.
- Remove the caramel from heat and gently stream heavy cream while stirring consistently to integrate the ingredients seamlessly.
- Incorporate sea salt into the caramel, allowing the mixture to cool and develop complex flavors for 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare the pumpkin pudding by whisking pudding mix, pumpkin pie spice, and milk until the consistency thickens and becomes creamy.
- Fold pumpkin puree into the pudding mixture, creating a rich and aromatic filling.
- Establish a crunchy base in serving vessels by sprinkling crushed gingersnap cookies evenly.
- Layer the pumpkin pudding generously over the gingersnap foundation, ensuring complete coverage.
- Add a luxurious cream cheese frosting layer, creating a delightful textural contrast.
- Drizzle warm salted caramel across the layers, allowing it to cascade and enhance the parfait’s visual appeal.
- Repeat layering process, alternating between pudding, frosting, and caramel until ingredients are exhausted.
- Crown the parfait with an additional caramel drizzle and sprinkle of gingersnap crumbles for textural complexity.
- Refrigerate the parfaits for a minimum of two hours to allow flavors to meld and set.
- Store any remaining caramel in a sealed container within the refrigerator, maintaining its quality for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Craft this decadent dessert in advance, giving flavors time to meld and develop rich, luxurious depth.
- Caramel-making requires close attention; avoid stirring sugar until it starts melting to prevent crystallization.
- Gently warm refrigerated caramel sauce before drizzling to restore smooth, silky consistency.
- Layer ingredients carefully, ensuring even distribution for balanced taste in every delightful spoonful.
- Gingersnap crumbles add delightful crunch and warmth, complementing the creamy pumpkin pudding perfectly.
- Refrigerate parfaits for minimum two hours to allow textures and flavors to harmonize beautifully.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg