Pumpkin Crunch
Potluck foods bring out the best in home cooked dishes. Everyone wants to put their best foot forward with tried and true recipes and sometimes the classics are the most memorable. Pumpkin Crunch is a popular homemade dessert in Hawaii, think of it as a pumpkin pie cake with a light creamy frosting. Basically everything good in one happy bite.
Being on self-isolation means going through your cupboards which is where I happened upon pumpkin puree in my pantry. Pumpkin isn’t just for fall flavors, it’s delicious and worthy of baked goods all year ‘round!
This recipe is traditionally made with box cake mix and Cool Whip, but I never have either of those, isolation or not. Luckily I’m always fully stocked with baking ingredients, so this version gets the baked from scratch treatment!
If you find yourself self-isolating with cans of pumpkin puree in your cupboard and baking ingredients calling your name, Pumpkin Crunch is a dessert that is sure to bring you happiness while spending time at home.
Pumpkin Crunch
Ingredients:
Cake ingredients:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans, divided
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
Frosting ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
Step 2: In a bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder. Set aside.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, stir together the pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Step 4: Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepped baking dish.
Step 5: Evenly sprinkle the dry ingredients over the pumpkin mixture. Top with half of the chopped nuts.
Step 6: Pour the melted butter on top.
Step 7: Bake for 60 minutes. Let cool completely.
Step 8: With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, whipping cream, and powdered sugar.
Step 9: Spread the whipped topping on top of the cooled cake, and sprinkle on the rest of the nuts.
Step 10: Cut into squares to serve.
