Best Pumpkin Trifle Recipes

PAULA'S PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine gingerbread cake mix, water, and eggs in a large bowl. Stir until well blended. Divide batter between 2 ungreased 9-inch cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Place cake pans on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes. Invert and let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
• Combine milk and vanilla pudding mix in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; let cool until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in pumpkin pie filling, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• Crumble 1 gingerbread cake into the bottom of a large punch bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread. Add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with remaining gingerbread cake, pudding mixture, and whipped topping. Sprinkle gingersnaps on top.
• Refrigerate until pudding is set and flavors combine, 8 hours to overnight.

GINGERSNAP PUMPKIN TRIFLE

Steps:

• Toss pecans, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir pecans mixture in hot butter until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Spread candied pecans out onto a sheet of waxed paper; cool completely.
• Arrange 32 gingersnap cookies in a single layer over the bottom and up the sides of a 2 1/2-quart serving bowl.
• Beat pumpkin puree and cream cheese together in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; add vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice.
• Whisk milk and vanilla pudding mix together in a bowl until pudding mix is completely dissolved and mixture is well-blended, about 2 minutes. Let pudding stand until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping. Stir pumpkin mixture into pudding mixture.
• Spoon 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the cookies into the prepared serving dish. Arrange remaining gingersnap cookies over pudding mixture. Spread remaining pudding mixture over cookies and spread remaining whipped topping over pudding mixture. Sprinkle candied pecans over the top.

PUMPKIN TRIFLE

Steps:

• Set aside 1/4 cup of cake crumbs for topping. Divide remaining crumbs into four portions; sprinkle first portion into a trifle bowl or 3-qt. serving bowl. , In a large bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin, pudding mixes and spices; beat until smooth. Spoon half the pumpkin mixture into the serving bowl. Sprinkle with a second portion of crumbs. In a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; spoon half into bowl. , Sprinkle with the third portion of crumbs. Top with the remaining pumpkin mixture, then fourth portion of crumbs and remaining whipped cream. Sprinkle the reserved 1/4 cup crumbs around the edge of bowl. Garnish with cherries if desired. Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving.

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE

Steps:

• Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool.
• Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cardamom into the pudding.
• Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl.
• Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping.
• Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping.
• Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl.

PAULA'S PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven then mix and bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; turn out onto a rack and let cool completely.
• While gingerbread is baking, cook the vanilla pudding according to the package directions; set aside and let cool.
• When pudding has cooled, stir in the pie filling, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom.
• Crumble the cooled gingerbread into pieces (about 1/4 inch, but not too finely).
• (If you have a trifle bowl, wonderful- otherwise you can use another large decorative bowl or a punchbowl to assemble the trifle in).
• Put half of the crumbled gingerbread in the bottom of the bowl, sprinkle with half of the sherry or Southern Comfort (if using), then pour half of the pudding mixture over it, and then half of the whipped topping.
• Repeat the layers with the remaining prepared ingredients as above, then sprinkle the crushed gingersnaps over the top (2 or 3 tablespoons chopped pecans would make a good addition to the topping, as well).
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight in the refrigerator.
• Notes: you can use spice cake instead of gingerbread for a gentler flavor.

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE

Steps:

• Make gingerbread:
• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter a 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Line pan with foil, leaving an overhang at both ends, then butter foil.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
• Beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in egg until blended, then beat in molasses and buttermilk. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until smooth, then add hot water and beat 1 minute (batter may look curdled).
• Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan. Using foil as an aid, transfer gingerbread to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch cubes with a serrated knife.
• Make pumpkin mousse:
• Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small saucepan and let soften 1 minute. Bring to a simmer, stirring until gelatin has dissolved. Whisk together gelatin mixture, pumpkin, brown sugar, spices, and salt in a large bowl until combined well.
• Beat cream with vanilla using cleaned beaters until it holds soft peaks, then fold into pumpkin mixture gently but thoroughly.
• Make whipped cream:
• Beat cream with sugar and vanilla using mixer until it holds soft peaks.
• Assemble trifle:
• Put half of gingerbread cubes in trifle bowl. Top with half of pumpkin mousse, then half of whipped cream. Repeat layering once more with all of remaining gingerbread, mousse, and cream. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake gingerbread mixes according to package directions for cake. Cool completely on wire racks., Meanwhile, prepare pudding mix according to package directions. Stir in brown sugar and pumpkin; cool completely., Crumble half of the gingerbread into a 4-qt. glass bowl; press down gently. Layer gingerbread with half of the pudding mixture and half of the whipped topping; repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, overnight before serving.

HOLIDAY PUMPKIN-GINGERBREAD TRIFLE

Steps:

• Bake and cool gingerbread as directed on box.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat pumpkin, condensed milk, pudding mix, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and milk with whisk 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture is smooth and thickened; set aside.
• Cut gingerbread into 2- to 3-inch cubes. In trifle bowl or large clear glass bowl, layer half of gingerbread.
• Reserve 12 cookies and some of the whipped topping for garnish. Crumble 5 cookies over gingerbread layer. Spread about half of remaining whipped topping over cookies. Top with half of pumpkin mixture. Repeat layers. Crumble 2 remaining cookies over top. Garnish top with reserved whipped topping and whole cookies.
• Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours before serving.

GINGERBREAD PUMPKIN TRIFLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition., Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut gingerbread into 1/2-in. to 1-in. cubes; set aside., In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon; stir into pudding. In another bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and extract; beat until stiff peaks form., Set aside 1/4 cup gingerbread cubes. In a 4-qt. trifle bowl or glass serving bowl, layer a third of the remaining gingerbread cubes; top with a third of the pumpkin mixture and whipped cream. Repeat layers twice. Crumble reserved gingerbread; sprinkle over top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

AUTUMN TRIFLE WITH ROASTED APPLES, PEARS, AND PUMPKIN-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For cinnamon pastry cream:
• Whisk yolks and 1/2 cup milk in large bowl. Add sugar, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Bring 1 1/2 cups milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk milk into yolk mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Cook until custard thickens and boils, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Add butter and stir until melted. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)
• For pumpkin-caramel sauce:
• Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and cook until mixture is deep amber, stirring constantly, about 8 minutes (mixture will be grainy). Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cream (mixture will bubble). Stir until caramel bits dissolve, about 2 minutes. Add pumpkin; stir until heated. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• For roasted fruit:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix apples, pears, and lemon juice in large bowl. Place butter on rimmed baking sheet. Heat in oven until butter melts and begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add fruit to baking sheet and toss with butter. Roast until fruit is soft and golden, turning with metal spatula every 15 minutes, about 1 hour. Cool fruit on sheet.
• For assembly:
• Place ladyfingers, flat side up, on baking sheet. Brush with Sherry. Line bottom of 2- or 3-quart glass trifle dish with single layer of ladyfingers, Sherry side up. Line bottom edge with 1 row of ladyfingers, Sherry side in, pressing gently against dish. Spoon half of pastry cream into lined dish; smooth top. Cover with half of fruit. Drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce over. Line edge of dish with second row of ladyfingers, Sherry side in. Cover fruit with single layer of ladyfingers. Spoon remaining pastry cream over. Cover with remaining fruit. Drizzle fruit with 1/2 cup caramel sauce. Line edge of dish with third row of ladyfingers, Sherry side in. Chill at least 6 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla in bowl until mixture holds peaks. Fill pastry bag fitted with large rosette tip with whipped cream and pipe over trifle (or spoon whipped cream over). (Can be prepared 3 hours ahead; chill.) Drizzle whipped cream with 2 tablespoons caramel sauce. Brush pear slices with lemon juice; arrange decoratively atop whipped cream. Serve, passing remaining caramel sauce separately.

PUMPKIN MOUSSE TRIFLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, pumpkin, oil and eggs until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture until blended., Transfer to a greased and floured 9-in. square baking pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut cake into 3/4-in. cubes., Meanwhile, increase oven setting to 350°. Whisk egg white; stir in pecans and sugars. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 9-13 minutes or until puffed, stirring once. Cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add the pumpkin, cinnamon and vanilla. Fold in 1-1/2 cups whipped topping., In a 3-1/2-qt. trifle bowl or glass serving bowl, layer half each of the cake, pumpkin mousse, remaining whipped topping and pecans. Repeat layers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

PUMPKIN & ANGEL FOOD CAKE TRIFLE

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl with a whisk, whip together the pumpkin, the pie spice, and sugar until combined. Now add both pudding mixes and the milk. Mix until combined. Set in freezer while you complete the next step.
• 2. Cut your angel food cake into bite sized cubes. Now it's time to start layering the trifle up. Place a layer of the cubes in the bottom of a trifle dish. (or use a large glass bowl instead)
• 3. On top of the cake add about a third of the pumpkin mixture in heaping spoonfuls. Spread it gently.
• 4. Continue layering another layer of cake and then pumpkin two more times. Now top with the whipped cream. Serve and Enjoy!

AUTUMN TRIFLE W/ ROASTED APPLES, PEARS AND PUMPKIN-CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For cinnamon pastry cream: Whisk yolks and 1/2 cup milk in large bowl. Add sugar, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Bring 1 1/2 cups milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Gradually whisk milk into yolk mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Cook until custard thickens and boils, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Add butter and stir until melted. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.).
• For pumpkin-caramel sauce: Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and cook until mixture is deep amber, stirring constantly, about 8 minutes (mixture will be grainy). Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cream (mixture will bubble). Stir until caramel bits dissolve, about 2 minutes. Add pumpkin; stir until heated. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.).
• For roasted fruit: Preheat oven to 400°F Mix apples, pears, and lemon juice in large bowl. Place butter on rimmed baking sheet. Heat in oven until butter melts and begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add fruit to baking sheet and toss with butter. Roast until fruit is soft and golden, turning with metal spatula every 15 minutes, about 1 hour. Cool fruit on sheet.
• For assembly: Place ladyfingers, flat side up, on baking sheet. Brush with Sherry. Line bottom of 2- or 3-quart glass trifle dish with single layer of ladyfingers, Sherry side up. Line bottom edge with 1 row of ladyfingers, Sherry side in, pressing gently against dish. Spoon half of pastry cream into lined dish; smooth top. Cover with half of fruit. Drizzle 1/2 cup caramel sauce over. Line edge of dish with second row of ladyfingers, Sherry side inches Cover fruit with single layer of ladyfingers. Spoon remaining pastry cream over. Cover with remaining fruit. Drizzle fruit with 1/2 cup caramel sauce. Line edge of dish with third row of ladyfingers, Sherry side inches Chill at least 6 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.).
• Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla in bowl until mixture holds peaks. Fill pastry bag fitted with large rosette tip with whipped cream and pipe over trifle (or spoon whipped cream over). (Can be prepared 3 hours ahead; chill.) Drizzle whipped cream with 2 tablespoons caramel sauce. Brush pear slices with lemon juice; arrange decoratively atop whipped cream. Serve, passing remaining caramel sauce separately.

GINGERBREAD & PUMPKIN CREAM TRIFLE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake gingerbread cake according to package directions. Cool completely on a wire rack., Meanwhile, prepare pudding mix according to package directions; stir in brown sugar and pie mix. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate, covered, 30 minutes., Cut or break gingerbread into 3/4-in. pieces. In ten 12-oz. glasses or a 3-qt. trifle bowl, layer half of each of the following: cake, pumpkin mixture and whipped topping. Repeat layers. Refrigerate, covered, 4 hours or overnight. Top as desired.

PUMPKIN PRALINE TRIFLE

Steps:

• For praline:
• Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. Bring both sugars and half and half to boil in heavy medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat, whisking to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes, whisking constantly. Add butter, vanilla, and salt. Attach candy thermometer to pan. Simmer without stirring until temperature registers 260°F, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; immediately mix in pecans. Transfer to prepared sheet, spreading in single layer. Cool completely. Chop into 1/4-inch pieces.
• For mascarpone cream:
• Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in large bowl until firm peaks form. Set aside 1/2 cup mascarpone cream for pumpkin filling.
• For filling:
• Whisk pumpkin, brown sugar, cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt in large bowl to blend. Whisk in reserved 1/2 cup mascarpone cream.
• Spread 1/3 cup mascarpone cream over bottom of 8x5-inch trifle dish (12-to 14-cup capacity). Place layer of ladyfingers over cream in bottom of dish (about half of 3-ounce package). Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons rum over. Spread 1/2 cup pumpkin filling over ladyfingers, spreading to edges. Sprinkle 1/3 cup praline over. Spread 1 cup mascarpone cream over. Cover with another layer of ladyfingers. Sprinkle with 11/2 tablespoons rum, then spread 1 cup pumpkin filling over. Sprinkle 1/2 cup praline over. Repeat 1 more time with 1 cup mascarpone cream, ladyfingers, 1 1/2 tablespoons rum, 1 cup pumpkin filling, and 1/2 cup praline. Spread remaining mascarpone cream over. Cover and chill overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
• Uncover trifle. Sprinkle 1 cup praline decoratively over top (reserve any remaining praline for another use).
• An Italian cream cheese; sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets.
• ** Available in the bakery or bread section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

PUMPKIN MOUSSE TRIFLE WITH CRANBERRIES AND APRICOT-ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• For streusel: Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a sheet pan with foil; set aside. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add melted butter and stir until mixture is crumbly. Pour onto prepared sheet pan; bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside to cool; crumble into small pieces. For orange sauce: Combine apricot jam and orange juice in a medium bowl. Whisk together until smooth. For pumpkin mousse: Whisk egg yolk into pumpkin pie filling. Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave or using a double boiler. Whisk melted white chocolate into pumpkin mixture. Whip heavy cream to medium peaks. Gently fold whipped cream into pumpkin mixture. To serve: Cut spice cake into cubes. Place a dollop of mousse at the bottom of a serving dish. Top with cranberries and a drizzle of sauce. Place a few cubes of cake over mousse. Top with another layer of mousse, cranberries and sauce, then top with streusel.

PUMPKIN MOUSSE TRIFLE

Steps:

• Arrange 32 wafers on bottom and up side of 2-1/2-qt. serving bowl. Beat cream cheese and pumpkin in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Add vanilla and pumpkin pie spice; mix well.
• Beat pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. Stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP. Add cream cheese mixture; mix well.
• Spoon half the pudding mixture into prepared bowl; cover with layers of remaining wafers and remaining pudding mixture. Top with remaining COOL WHIP. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
• Top dessert with Autumn Spiced Nuts just before serving.

BRIOCHE AND PUMPKIN PUDDING TRIFLE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk the milk, pumpkin pie spice, pudding mix and pumpkin puree until the pudding thickens, 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Place the brioche in a shallow bowl. Pour the liqueur over and let soak for 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, honey and cinnamon until well blended.
• In a trifle dish, layer half of the brioche, then half of the pudding, then the remaining brioche and the remaining pudding so that there are 2 layers of each. Top with a dollop of the sour cream mixture and sprinkle with the butterscotch chips.

PUMPKIN TRIFLE

Steps:

• Combine the cake mix, water, and egg in a bowl.
• Mix and pour into a 8x8 pan.
• Bake 350 degrees for 30-40 minute.
• Cool 10 minutes.
• Turn out of pan onto a wire rack. When completely cool, crumble cake and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of the crumbs for garnish.
• Whisk milk, and pudding for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Let stand 2 minutes or until softly set.
• Stir in pumpkin and the spices. Mix well.
• In a trifle bowl, layer 1/4 of the crumbs, 1/2 of the pudding, 1/4 of the crumbs, 1/2 of the whipped topping.
• Repeat, ending with the whipped topping. Garnish with the crumbs.
• Refridgerate.

PUMPKIN MOUSSE TRIFLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Spread pumpkin seeds evenly on sheet; bake until golden, stirring once, about 25 minutes. In a bowl, mix pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves until smooth. In a second bowl, whip egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form; add 1/2 cup sugar and whip until stiff peaks of meringue form. Gently fold pumpkin mixture into meringue until just combined. In a third bowl, combine sour cream and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. In a food processor, pulse cookies into fine crumbs. In each of four 5-ounce glasses, divide and layer half of shortbread crumbs and half of pumpkin mousse; repeat layers. Top each with 1 tablespoon sweetened sour cream and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds; serve immediately.