This layered dessert is perfect for the holidays with a ginger snap crust, a creamy cheese layer, a pumpkin and pudding layer all topped with chopped walnuts and crushed ginger snap cookies.
Ginger Snap Cookie Crust:
45 ginger snap cookies (like Nabisco), 2 1/3 c. finely crushed
5 T. sugar
1/2 c. butter, melted
Cream Cheese Layer:
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. granulated sugar
2 c. + 2 T. milk, divided
8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed, divided
Pumpkin Layer:
15 oz. canned pumpkin puree, (NOT pie filling)
2 (3.4 oz.) packages Jello Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 t. cinnamon
Topping:
4 ginger snap cookies, coarsely crushed
1/3 c. chopped walnuts
Make this dessert a day in advance so that it can be refrigerated overnight.
Crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place ginger snaps in the bowl of a food processor; process until crushed into a fine crumb, making about 2 1/3 c. crumbs. Add 5 T. sugar; pulse to combine. Pour in the melted butter; pulse until well combined.
Transfer mixture to an un-greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Use your hands to pat it down into a firm, even layer.
Bake 10 - 12 minutes, or just until crust is fragrant. Remove from the oven; cool completely before adding the next layers.
Cream Cheese Layer:
Add the cream cheese, 1/4 c. sugar and 2 T. milk to a large mixing bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Add 1 c. Cool Whip (reserve remaining Cool Whip for top layer); mix for about 1 minute until combined. Spread the mixture evenly over the completely cooled crust.
Creamy Pumpkin Layer:
In a large, clean mixing bowl, whisk pumpkin, dry pudding mixes, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and remaining 2 c. milk for about 2 minutes or until well combined. Spread over cream cheese layer.
Topping:
Top with remaining Cool Whip; carefully spread it out over the top of the pumpkin layer. Cover.
Refrigerate overnight.
Sprinkle with crushed ginger snaps and chopped walnuts right before serving.
12 servings.