Pumpkin Toffee Crunch Trifle: Delight in Fall’s Sweetest Treat! Recipe
Pumpkin Toffee Crunch Trifle is a delightful layered dessert that beautifully combines moist pumpkin-spiced cake, creamy pumpkin pudding mousse, whipped cream, and crunchy toffee bits. This no-fuss treat is perfect for fall celebrations and holiday gatherings, offering a luscious blend of autumn flavors and textures in every spoonful.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Layer
- 1 box spice cake mix (or yellow cake mix with 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice)
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup water
Pudding Mousse Layer
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade)
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Crunchy Toppings
- ¾ cup crushed toffee bits (Heath or Skor bars)
- Optional: chopped pecans or caramel drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, and water. Mix thoroughly until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before cutting it into small cubes.
- Make Pumpkin Mousse: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice until well combined. Gently fold in the whipped topping to create a smooth and airy pumpkin mousse.
- Whip Cream Topping: Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Keep this whipped cream chilled until you are ready to assemble the trifle.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a large trifle dish or a clear glass bowl, start layering by placing a layer of pumpkin cake cubes at the bottom. Follow with a layer of pumpkin mousse, then sprinkle a generous amount of crushed toffee bits. Top this with a layer of whipped cream. Repeat these layers until the dish is filled, finishing with a final layer of whipped cream on top. Garnish with additional toffee bits and an optional caramel drizzle or chopped pecans for added texture and flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the trifle and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the dessert set properly. For best flavor, refrigerate overnight. Serve chilled, enjoying the luscious layers and delightful crunch.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before cubing to prevent the mousse from melting or mixing unevenly.
- For a richer dessert, substitute whipped topping with homemade whipped cream throughout.
- Add chopped pecans for an extra nutty crunch or drizzle with caramel sauce for enhanced sweetness.
- This dessert can be prepared a day ahead to allow flavors to meld perfectly.
- Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for best freshness.
Keywords: Pumpkin dessert, Fall dessert, Toffee trifle, Pumpkin pudding, Layered trifle, Autumn recipes, Holiday dessert
