The sweet smell of pumpkin with butterscotch makes my kitchen feel so warm. Each spoon is soft, creamy, and sweet. It’s like fall in a glass.

The first time I made this trifle, I layered fluffy cream with pumpkin. The butterscotch gave it a rich taste. My friends kept asking for more.

You’ll love how easy it is to put together. It looks fancy but takes little time. It’s perfect for sharing at home or a party.

Come with me and make this Butterscotch Pumpkin Trifle. I’ll show you how step by step. You’ll see how fun and tasty it is.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Comfort Dessert: The layers of pumpkin, butterscotch, and spices evoke the warm, cozy flavors of fall. This dessert brings all the flavors we crave during the season and packs them into an irresistible trifle.
Quick & Easy: No need for fancy baking skills. This dessert is easy to make, and you don’t even have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. You can easily prep it in less than an hour, with minimal hands-on time.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It’s even better if you prepare it the day before. The flavors meld together beautifully, and you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, so it’s perfect for hosting!
Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe is perfect for sharing. It makes a large trifle, so it’s great for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. You won’t have to worry about leftovers!

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we dive into the ingredients and steps, let’s make sure you have everything ready:

Trifle Dish or Large Glass Bowl: The star of the show! This dessert looks beautiful layered in a clear trifle dish, showcasing all the gorgeous colors and textures.
Mixing Bowls: You’ll need at least two or three bowls for mixing the cake batter, the pudding, and the Cool Whip.
Electric Mixer: While a hand whisk can work, using a stand or hand mixer will help get the pudding and cake batter nice and smooth.
Spatula: For folding in the whipped topping and assembling the layers.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure accurate ingredient portions.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this irresistible dessert:

1 Box Spice Cake Mix (plus the ingredients required on the box – usually eggs, oil, and water)
2 (3.4-ounce) Boxes Instant Butterscotch Pudding Mix
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon: A classic fall spice that adds warmth to the trifle.
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger: Complements the cinnamon and brings a little zing.
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg: Adds a sweet, nutty aroma.
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Allspice: Another wonderful spice that brings a little depth of flavor.
2 Cups Cold Milk: The liquid for the pudding mixture.
1 (15-ounce) Can Pumpkin: Make sure you use pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling).
2 (8-ounce) Containers Cool Whip, thawed: The secret ingredient for a light and fluffy layer.

Variations for Butterscotch Pumpkin Trifle

This recipe is flexible, and you can customize it based on your preferences:

Use Different Cake Flavors: If you’re not a fan of spice cake, try using a vanilla or yellow cake mix. You could also opt for a chocolate cake for a more decadent dessert.
Add Nuts: To add some crunch and texture, consider adding chopped pecans or walnuts in between the layers. These nuts pair wonderfully with the sweet butterscotch and creamy pumpkin.
Try Whipped Cream: If you prefer homemade whipped cream over Cool Whip, it’s easy to whip up with heavy cream and a little sugar.
Add a Splash of Liquor: For an adult twist, add a tablespoon of bourbon or spiced rum to the pudding for an extra layer of flavor.
Use Real Butterscotch Sauce: If you want to take it up a notch, you can drizzle real butterscotch sauce between the layers for added richness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake the Spice Cake

Start by preparing the spice cake according to the package instructions. Typically, you’ll need eggs, water, and oil.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix the cake ingredients in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the box instructions (usually around 30-35 minutes). Check the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean.
Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Butterscotch Pudding

While the cake is cooling, it’s time to make the butterscotch pudding. The pudding layer is what really gives the trifle its creamy texture.

In a mixing bowl, combine the two boxes of instant butterscotch pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk.
Whisk the mixture together for about 2 minutes, or until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
Set the pudding aside to firm up while you prepare the other components of the trifle.

3. Combine the Pumpkin and Spices

The next step is to create the pumpkin layer.

In a medium bowl, mix the canned pumpkin with the ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice.
Stir until fully combined. The pumpkin adds moisture and a natural sweetness to the trifle, and the spices elevate the flavor.

4. Assemble the Trifle

Now that all the components are ready, it’s time to assemble your Butterscotch Pumpkin Trifle!

Layer 1 – Cake: Start by cutting the cooled spice cake into cubes. Place the first layer of cake cubes into the bottom of your trifle dish.
Layer 2 – Pudding: Spoon a layer of the butterscotch pudding over the cake cubes, spreading it out evenly.
Layer 3 – Pumpkin Mixture: Add a generous layer of the spiced pumpkin mixture over the pudding.
Layer 4 – Cool Whip: Finally, spread a layer of Cool Whip over the pumpkin mixture. Repeat the layers until you have used all of the ingredients.
Garnish the top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or crushed graham crackers for an extra touch of texture and flavor.

5. Chill the Trifle

Once the trifle is assembled, cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and the dessert to set properly.

Serving and Decoration

How to Serve Butterscotch Pumpkin Trifle

This dessert is already a showstopper on its own, but you can take it to the next level by serving it with some additional garnishes:

Whipped Cream: If you want to make it even fluffier, top each serving with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Candied Pecans or Walnuts: Adding a sprinkle of chopped, candied nuts on top will give your trifle a delightful crunch.
Caramel Drizzle: For an extra sweet touch, drizzle some caramel sauce on top of each individual serving.
Cinnamon Sticks: For a decorative, autumn-inspired touch, you can place a cinnamon stick in each serving.

Serve the trifle as a showstopper dessert at your next gathering, and watch everyone’s eyes light up when they see the layers of decadence!

Storing Butterscotch Pumpkin Trifle

Refrigeration: Keep your trifle covered and refrigerated. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors get even better as it sits, so it’s perfect for making ahead of time.
Freezing: Trifle is not ideal for freezing due to its creamy components and layers. However, you can freeze individual slices if necessary and thaw them in the fridge before serving.

Nutrition (per serving, based on 12 servings)

Nutrient	Amount per serving
Calories	320
Total Fat	16g
Saturated Fat	8g
Cholesterol	75mg
Sodium	180mg
Total Carbs	43g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugars	27g
Protein	3g