31 Days of Pumpkin: Day 15

Yesterday, I made Paula Deen's Holiday Pumpkin Crunch, which is a recipe I've been wanting to try ever since I started this 31 Day Challenge!  Unfortunately, I took this luscious dessert to a friend's house and forgot to take a picture!  So, I borrowed one from Paula Deen!   Hers looks better anyway!  ;)

photo from Paula Deen.com

Here is the 5-star recipe as it appears on Paula Deen's website:

Aunt Trina’s Holiday Pumpkin Crunch

(An old Alabama favorite given to Paula from her Aunt Trina.)

Ingredients

1 (15 oz.) can fresh pumpkin
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 c. sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
2 sticks butter, cut into pieces

FROSTING:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. softened cream cheese
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin, evaporated milk, cinnamon and sugar until well combined.  Add eggs and mix well.

Pour mixture into a 9X13 baking dish prepared with a non stick spray. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over entire top. Sprinkle nuts evenly over cake mix and top with butter pieces.  Bake at 350º F for 50-60 minutes.  Set aside to cool.

Prepare frosting while cake is cooling.  In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, whip cream cheese until light.  Add in whipping cream and continue to whip until fully combined and thickening.  Add powdered sugar and cinnamon and whip until smooth.

To Serve:  Scoop out a slice of the pumpkin crunch and top with a dollop of the cream cheese frosting, or frost the entire pumpkin crunch with the frosting.

Because I like to avoid processed foods as much as I can, I used this recipe for the yellow cake mix.  I was really pleased to discover a recipe for a homemade yellow cake mix!  I will definitely use that recipe again!

This recipe is really yummy!   I think it would make a great Thanksgiving Day dessert!!   I recommend serving the crunch warm with a dollop of the cold "frosting" served on top!!!  Simply Scrumptious!  :)