Pumpkin Crisp recipe

Hey, have you ever tried pumpkin crisp? It’s this super yummy dessert that mixes pumpkin and a crunchy topping. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll be hooked!

I made this for my family last weekend, and everyone loved it! The pumpkin is so soft, and the crunchy topping adds the perfect bite. It’s like a warm, cozy hug for your taste buds.

If you’re looking for something easy, sweet, and full of fall flavor, this is it! It’s perfect for chilly nights or any time you want a little treat. You won’t believe how simple it is to make!

So, grab your ingredients and give it a try! I bet you’ll want to make it over and over again. Let me know what you think once you do!

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

• Perfect for Fall: The deep, spiced pumpkin flavor paired with the oat and brown sugar topping will instantly make this your go-to fall dessert.
• Easy to Make: Unlike traditional pumpkin pies, Pumpkin Crisp requires minimal prep time and is incredibly forgiving. No pie crust to roll out – just mix, layer, and bake!
• Crisp Topping: That golden, buttery crisp topping perfectly contrasts the smooth pumpkin filling. It’s the ideal balance of textures in every bite.
• Great for Meal Prep or Hosting: Pumpkin Crisp is an excellent make-ahead dessert. Prepare it the day before, then simply bake it when you’re ready to serve.
• Delicious Served Warm or Cold: Serve it fresh from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or chilled for a refreshing treat. Either way, it’s delicious!

Key Ingredients for Pumpkin Crisp

To make this comforting dessert, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that bring together the best flavors of fall. Below is a breakdown of what you’ll need:

Crisp Mixture

Here’s what you need for the buttery, crumbly topping:

• Quick-Cooking Oats: These oats provide the crisp texture in the topping, adding a chewy, delightful bite.
• All-Purpose Flour: Flour helps bind the ingredients together, ensuring that the topping is cohesive and sturdy when baked.
• Light Brown Sugar: The molasses flavor in the brown sugar adds a warm sweetness that complements the pumpkin perfectly.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A perfect blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This spice mix gives the topping a delightful fall flavor.
• Unsalted Butter (Cold and Cubed): Cold butter is essential for creating a crisp and flaky topping. It’ll melt and create little pockets in the topping that make it golden and crunchy.

Pumpkin Mixture

This is where the rich, smooth pumpkin flavor comes in:

• Large Eggs (Room Temperature): Eggs help set the pumpkin mixture, giving it structure and a smooth consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: The sugar adds sweetness and balances the natural earthiness of the pumpkin.
• Pure Pumpkin: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. This gives the dessert the real, natural pumpkin flavor we love.
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream creates a rich and velvety texture in the pumpkin mixture, making it creamy and decadent.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: You’ll need more of this fragrant spice to flavor the pumpkin filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor that complements the pumpkin perfectly.
• Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness and balances the overall flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Pumpkin Crisp

Let’s get started on creating this warm, comforting dessert. Follow these steps, and you’ll be rewarded with a dish that’s as simple as it is delicious!

1. Prepare the Crisp Topping

Start by making the oat topping for your pumpkin crisp.

• Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the quick-cooking oats, all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until everything is well blended.
• Cut in the Cold Butter: Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. This is what gives the topping its flaky texture. You can also use a fork or a food processor for this step if preferred.
• Set Aside: Once the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs, set it aside to be used later. You’ll want it to stay cool, so it’s ready to bake into a perfect crisp topping.

2. Prepare the Pumpkin Filling

Now, it’s time to make the creamy, flavorful pumpkin filling that will form the base of your crisp.

• Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the large eggs, granulated sugar, pure pumpkin puree, heavy cream, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. This is where all the cozy fall flavors come together in the pumpkin filling.
• Add Salt: Stir in a pinch of kosher salt to balance out the sweetness and bring out the flavor of the pumpkin.

3. Assemble the Pumpkin Crisp

Now that both the topping and filling are ready, it’s time to put them together.

• Grease the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. This will help the crisp come out of the dish easily once baked.
• Layer the Pumpkin Mixture: Pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
• Add the Crisp Topping: Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the pumpkin filling. Make sure the topping is well distributed, covering the pumpkin mixture completely.

4. Bake the Pumpkin Crisp

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the crisp topping is golden brown and the pumpkin filling is set (you can test it by gently shaking the dish to see if the filling jiggles).
• Cool Slightly: Let the pumpkin crisp cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the filling set and makes it easier to scoop.

Variations for Pumpkin Crisp

Pumpkin Crisp is already amazing as is, but if you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of ways to tweak this recipe to suit your tastes.

Add a Streusel Topping

For an extra-crunchy topping, combine some chopped nuts with your crisp mixture. Walnuts or pecans are both excellent choices. Add ½ cup of chopped nuts to the oat mixture and sprinkle it over the pumpkin filling. The nuts will add an extra layer of texture and flavor.

Swapping for Other Spices

If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice or want to mix things up, you can create your own blend of spices. Use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves or allspice. You’ll still get that warm fall flavor, just with a bit of a twist.

Make It Vegan

If you’re looking for a vegan option, you can easily swap the eggs and heavy cream for plant-based alternatives. Use a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) for each egg and substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk. Make sure to use a dairy-free butter for the crisp topping, and your dessert will be just as delicious!

Add a Touch of Chocolate

For chocolate lovers, try mixing in some mini chocolate chips into the pumpkin filling. They’ll melt slightly as the crisp bakes, adding little pockets of chocolatey goodness. You could also drizzle some melted chocolate on top after baking for an extra indulgence.

Serving Suggestions for Pumpkin Crisp

Pumpkin Crisp is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy this dessert to the fullest:

1. Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream

One of the most popular ways to enjoy Pumpkin Crisp is by topping it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The creamy ice cream or whipped cream balances the warm, spiced pumpkin crisp perfectly, adding a rich, cool contrast to the dessert.

2. Pair with Caramel Sauce

For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle some homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the top of your Pumpkin Crisp. The sweet and buttery caramel adds a luxurious touch that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin flavor.

3. Serve as a Breakfast or Brunch Dish

Believe it or not, Pumpkin Crisp can even work as a breakfast or brunch dish. Serve a small portion with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It’s a great way to start your fall mornings or impress guests at a brunch gathering.

4. Top with Chopped Nuts

Add some crunch by topping your Pumpkin Crisp with chopped walnuts or pecans just before serving. The nuts add a nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the pumpkin and the crisp topping.

Storing and Meal Prep Tips

This dessert is just as delicious the next day (if there are any leftovers!) and can be stored in various ways to make your life easier.

How to Store Leftovers

• In the Refrigerator: Allow the Pumpkin Crisp to cool completely before storing. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer the crisp to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
• In the Freezer: To freeze Pumpkin Crisp, let it cool completely and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. You can also freeze individual portions for easy servings. The crisp can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

Reheating Tips

To reheat your Pumpkin Crisp, you can place it in the microwave or oven. For the microwave, heat individual servings for 30-45 seconds, depending on your microwave’s power. If reheating the entire dish, bake it at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition Information for Pumpkin Crisp

This Pumpkin Crisp is a rich and decadent dessert, but here’s a rough breakdown of its nutrition per serving:

Nutrition Information	Amount per Serving
Calories	350-400 kcal
Total Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	10g
Carbohydrates	55g
Fiber	4g
Sugar	40g
Protein	4g
Sodium	150mg

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients you use. For a more accurate nutritional breakdown, it’s always best to use a nutrition calculator.

Conclusion:

Pumpkin Crisp is an incredibly simple yet satisfying dessert that brings all the flavors of fall into one delicious dish. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, preparing for the holidays, or just craving a comforting treat, this recipe will surely be a hit. The buttery oat topping combined with the creamy, spiced pumpkin filling creates a dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.

If you’ve made it this far, you know just how easy and delicious this dessert can be. Give it a try and let us know how it turned out! You’ll have a new favorite fall dessert that will surely become a family tradition.

Pumpkin Crisp FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pure pumpkin?

No, it’s best to use pure pumpkin puree, as the pie filling already contains added spices and sugar, which could throw off the balance of flavors in the recipe.

Can I make Pumpkin Crisp in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dessert a day ahead of time and bake it when ready. You can also store the unbaked crisp in the fridge and bake it later.

Is Pumpkin Crisp gluten-free?

This recipe contains all-purpose flour, which isn’t gluten-free. However, you can substitute it with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free version of this dish.