This pumpkin-based treat does exactly that—balancing richness with subtle sweetness and a medley of warm spices. Cream cheese brings smoothness, while butterscotch pudding adds gentle sweetness without overpowering the natural pumpkin flavor. Served as a dessert topped with vanilla wafers or as a dip accompanied by them, it creates a festive centerpiece that’s both simple and crowd-pleasing. With its adaptable texture (thicker after extended chilling or pleasantly dippable right away), this recipe fits any holiday mood, ensuring a memorable moment with every bite.
Add this pumpkin dessert to your holiday tradition and watch it quickly become a family favorite. It doesn’t rely on heaps of sugar—just the mellow sweetness of butterscotch pudding and the natural depth of pumpkin. The interplay of spices and cream cheese makes it both luxurious and comforting. Perfect as a stand-alone dessert sprinkled with crushed wafers, or as a crowd-friendly dip served with whole wafers on the side, this recipe is versatile and guaranteed to please. Keep it in mind for your next gathering, and let it become part of your festive repertoire.
Ingredients For holiday pumpkin dessert / dip
- 1 can canned pumpkin, 15 oz (about 425 g)
- 1 pkg cream cheese, room temperature, 8 oz (about 230 g)
- 1 box butterscotch instant pudding, 3.4 oz (about 100 g)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (about 2 g)
- 1 tsp allspice (about 2 g)
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger (about 1 g)
- 1 tsp nutmeg (about 2 g)
- 2 c milk (about 480 ml)
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice (about 1 g)
- 1 box Vanilla Wafers (weight may vary, approximately 12 oz [about 340 g])
How To Make holiday pumpkin dessert / dip
Note: You can substitute cheesecake pudding for butterscotch pudding, though you’ll lose a subtle layer of flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, canned pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth, ensuring no lumps remain from the cream cheese.
- Add the butterscotch pudding mix and milk to the pumpkin mixture.
- Beat until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about an hour. The longer it chills, the thicker it becomes.
- To serve as a dip, place the mixture in a serving bowl and surround it with vanilla wafers. To serve as a dessert, spoon it into individual cups and garnish with crushed wafers on top. Enjoy! It’s so popular you may want to double the recipe to keep up with demand.
As you take your first spoonful, notice how the creamy blend of pumpkin, cream cheese, and gentle spices awakens a familiar comfort ideal for the holiday season. The texture adapts to your preference—soft and scoopable for dipping or thick and pudding-like for a luscious dessert cup. With its inviting flavors and simple preparation, this pumpkin treat invites everyone to slow down, savor, and share in the warmth of the festivities. Once discovered, it may quickly earn a permanent spot on your annual holiday menu. Enjoy its cozy embrace, and let its sweetness spark new traditions.
