Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

The Best Autumn Pumpkin Crisp Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

Autumn’s warmth wraps around a delightful pumpkin crisp that promises comfort in every bite.

Seasonal spices dance through layers of creamy filling and crunchy topping.

Baking enthusiasts will adore this simple yet sophisticated dessert that celebrates fall’s most beloved ingredient.

Cozy kitchen moments become magical when you combine sweet pumpkin with buttery crumble.

Delicate aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg will fill your home with nostalgic memories.

Rich textures contrast beautifully between silky custard and crisp golden topping.

Serve this irresistible treat and watch faces light up with pure dessert delight.

Why Pumpkin Crisp Recipe Is a Perfect Autumn Dessert

  • Craft Seasonal Comfort: Dive into a dessert that captures the essence of autumn with its warm, spicy pumpkin flavors and irresistible crunchy streusel topping.
  • Master Simple Baking: Create a stunning dessert with basic kitchen skills, mixing ingredients in just a few steps and achieving a professional-looking result that impresses family and friends.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or cozy family dinners, this pumpkin crisp adapts to any celebration and satisfies sweet cravings with its rich, comforting texture.
  • Customize with Ease: Personalize the dessert by topping with different ice cream flavors or adding a sprinkle of nuts for extra crunch, making it a flexible recipe for any taste preference.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

Pumpkin Filling:
  • Pumpkin Puree: A smooth base that provides the signature pumpkin flavor and creamy texture of the dessert.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the pumpkin's earthy taste.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a smooth, custard-like consistency.
  • Heavy Cream: Gives the filling a rich and luxurious mouthfeel.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: Delivers a classic autumn blend of warm spices that complement the pumpkin.
  • Salt: Balances and heightens the other flavors in the filling.
Streusel Topping:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the base structure for the crispy, crumbly topping.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown color.
  • Cinnamon: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
  • Salt: Helps balance the sweetness of the topping.
  • Butter: Helps bind the streusel ingredients and creates a rich, crispy texture.
Serving Suggestions:
  • Ice Cream, Whipped Cream: Offers a cool, creamy contrast to the warm pumpkin crisp.

Instructions for Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Heat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet or medium casserole dish with butter, creating a perfect baking surface for your dessert.

Step 2: Create Pumpkin Base

Whisk together in a large bowl:
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract

Blend until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Gently fold in heavy cream until the mixture becomes smooth and silky. Transfer the velvety pumpkin mixture into the prepared skillet.

Step 3: Craft Crunchy Streusel Topping

In a separate bowl, mix:
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt

Pour melted butter over dry ingredients. Use a fork to create a crumbly texture. If needed, use a hand mixer to achieve the perfect streusel consistency.

Step 4: Sprinkle Streusel

Distribute the crunchy streusel evenly across the pumpkin base, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Watch for a set pumpkin filling and golden-brown streusel topping. If the streusel browns too quickly, cover with aluminum foil.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Allow the pumpkin crisp to rest for 10 minutes, helping the filling set. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. Top with whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Pro Tips for Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

  • Boost Streusel Texture: Use cold butter and mix with a pastry cutter or your fingers to create a perfectly crumbly topping that adds delightful crunch.
  • Select Quality Pumpkin: Choose 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the most authentic and rich flavor in your dessert.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottom: Sprinkle a thin layer of graham cracker crumbs beneath the pumpkin mixture to absorb excess moisture and maintain a crisp base.
  • Enhance Spice Profile: Experiment with freshly ground pumpkin pie spice or add a pinch of cardamom for a more complex and aromatic flavor experience.
  • Serve Smart: Allow the crisp to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to help the filling set and make slicing easier, ensuring picture-perfect servings.

Variation Ideas for Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Crisp: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the crispy streusel texture.
  • Vegan Pumpkin Crisp: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Pumpkin Crisp: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the dessert's classic flavor profile.
  • Maple Pecan Pumpkin Crisp: Add chopped pecans to the streusel topping and replace some sugar with pure maple syrup for a nutty, rich autumnal variation.

Pairing Suggestions for Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

  • Spice Up the Dessert Pairing: Warm mulled cider or spiced chai tea complements the pumpkin crisp's rich, autumn flavors, creating a cozy drinking experience that enhances the dessert's warm spices.
  • Creamy Contrast Companion: Vanilla bean ice cream or bourbon-vanilla whipped cream provides a cool, silky counterpoint to the crisp's warm, textured streusel topping, balancing temperatures and textures.
  • Sweet Wine Harmony: Late harvest Riesling or moscato d'asti offers a sweet, light wine option that echoes the dessert's sugary notes without overwhelming the delicate pumpkin flavor, making for an elegant pairing.

Storage Guidelines for Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

  • Transfer leftover pumpkin crisp to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Wrap individual portions or the entire dish in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F, place crisp in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent excessive browning, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
  • Reheat individual servings on medium power for 30-45 seconds, checking periodically to avoid overheating and maintain the streusel's crispness.

FAQs About Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

  • What ingredients make the pumpkin filling creamy?

Heavy cream provides the rich, smooth texture in the pumpkin filling. When whisked with pumpkin puree, eggs, and spices, it creates a luscious and velvety base for the dessert.

  • Can I use canned pumpkin for this recipe?

Yes, canned pumpkin puree works perfectly. Just ensure you’re using pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which already contains additional spices and sweeteners.

  • How do I know when the pumpkin crisp is fully baked?

The crisp is done when the pumpkin filling is set (it doesn’t jiggle when gently shaken) and the streusel topping turns golden brown. This typically takes 40-45 minutes in a 375°F oven.

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Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

Pumpkin Crisp Recipe


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4.5 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Delightful Pumpkin Crisp weaves autumn’s warmth into a luxurious dessert that whispers comfort and celebration. Sweet pumpkin layers mingle with buttery crumble, inviting you to savor seasonal bliss in each heavenly spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Pumpkin Pie Layer:

Pumpkin:

  • 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can pumpkin puree

Sweeteners:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Binding Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • ⅔ cup heavy cream (236 milliliters)

Spices and Enhancers:

  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cinnamon Streusel Layer:

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Binding Ingredients:

  • 12 tablespoons (170 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking vessel by greasing a 12-inch cast iron skillet or medium casserole dish at 375°F.
  2. Whisk pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly integrated, then incorporate heavy cream to create a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
  3. Transfer the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking vessel, ensuring an even distribution.
  4. Create streusel topping by mixing flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl, then drizzle melted butter and blend using a fork or hand mixer until a crumbly texture develops.
  5. Distribute the cinnamon streusel evenly across the pumpkin base, covering the entire surface.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes in the preheated oven until the pumpkin filling stabilizes and streusel turns golden brown, using aluminum foil to prevent over-browning if necessary.
  7. Allow the pumpkin crisp to rest for 10 minutes, enabling the filling to solidify and enhance structural integrity.
  8. Serve warm, accompanied by a dollop of ice cream or whipped cream, with cinnamon ice cream recommended for an exceptional flavor experience.

Notes

  • Adjust the sweetness by reducing sugar for a less sweet version or using alternative sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a more natural taste profile.
  • Easily make this gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix in the streusel topping.
  • Create a dairy-free option by replacing heavy cream with coconut milk and using dairy-free butter alternatives in the streusel mixture.
  • Enhance the flavor complexity by adding a pinch of ground nutmeg or cardamom to the pumpkin filling for a more sophisticated taste experience.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 417 kcal
  • Sugar: 41 g
  • Sodium: 208 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 98 mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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