Pumpkin Crisp Recipe

If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert that brings fall flavors front and center, this Pumpkin Crisp is your new best friend. Imagine a luscious pumpkin filling bursting with warm spices, all beneath a perfectly crumbly, buttery topping that bakes to a golden brown. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday gathering or just because you deserve a treat, this Pumpkin Crisp combines simplicity and comfort in every bite, making it an absolute must-have recipe in your repertoire.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully to create incredible depth, texture, and flavor. Each one plays a crucial role in making the Pumpkin Crisp exactly as you want it—rich, comforting, and a little bit indulgent.

• Pumpkin puree: The heart of the dish, delivering that silky, earthy sweetness we all crave in fall desserts.
• Granulated sugar: Balances the pumpkin’s natural earthiness with just the right amount of sweetness for both the filling and topping.
• Eggs: Bind and give structure to the pumpkin filling, helping it set perfectly during baking.
• Pumpkin pie spice: The quintessential blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that gives pumpkin desserts their iconic cozy flavor.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors, preventing the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional.
• Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle aromatic note that rounds out the pumpkin filling beautifully.
• Heavy cream: Makes the filling luxuriously creamy and smooth.
• All-purpose flour: The base for the crispy, crumbly topping that contrasts the silky pumpkin filling.
• Cinnamon: Works alongside the pie spice in the topping to add warmth and fragrance.
• Unsalted butter (melted): Essential for that irresistible, golden streusel texture that melts in your mouth.

How to Make Pumpkin Crisp

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Butter a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a medium casserole dish generously to prevent sticking and help the crisp develop a beautifully caramelized edge. This little step sets the stage for everything else!

Step 2: Mix the Pumpkin Filling

In a large bowl, whisk together your pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and vanilla extract until combined. Then, add the heavy cream and whisk until smooth. This creates that rich custardy filling that forms the base of your Pumpkin Crisp.

Step 3: Make the Crumbly Topping

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture turns crumbly. If it feels too compact, you can beat it slightly with a hand mixer to get that perfect loose streusel consistency that crisps up beautifully during baking.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the pumpkin filling into your prepared dish, smoothing it out evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon streusel topping evenly over the filling in a generous layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the filling is set and the topping is a gorgeous golden brown. If your topping starts to brown too quickly, just tent it with foil to keep it from burning while the filling finishes cooking.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Once out of the oven, let the Pumpkin Crisp cool for about 10 minutes. This resting period allows the filling to firm up slightly, making it easier to serve and enhancing each mouthful’s texture. Serve warm for the most comforting experience!

How to Serve Pumpkin Crisp

Garnishes

A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream brings the perfect contrast to the warm, spiced flavors of the Pumpkin Crisp. For something extra special, cinnamon ice cream adds a marvelous synergy that highlights the spice blend in the crisp topping.

Side Dishes

Pair your Pumpkin Crisp with a simple cup of hot coffee or a cup of spiced chai tea. If you want to turn dessert into an event, a small selection of nuts or caramel sauce can add layers of texture and flavor that complement the crisp wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, dust the top lightly with powdered sugar and scatter toasted pecans or sliced almonds over the crisp before serving. You can also bake individual portions in ramekins to give each guest a personal serving, making this classic Pumpkin Crisp feel like a fancy treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Pumpkin Crisp keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually mellow and meld together as it sits, so it’s a dessert that tastes just as good the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze the Pumpkin Crisp either before or after baking. To freeze assembled but unbaked, cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra time as needed. If freezing after baking, wrap warm crisp with foil and place in airtight container, then thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Warm individual slices in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through and the topping is crisp again. This will bring back that just-baked magic you fell in love with.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?

Absolutely! You can roast and puree fresh pumpkin, but make sure it’s cooked until very soft and drained of excess moisture for the best texture in your Pumpkin Crisp filling.

Is there a gluten-free option for the topping?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Almond flour could work too but might change the texture slightly.

Can I make the Pumpkin Crisp vegan?

For a vegan version, swap the butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute, and replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk. Use a flax or chia egg in place of regular eggs, though the texture will be a bit different.

How long does this Pumpkin Crisp keep at room temperature?

It’s best to store Pumpkin Crisp in the fridge, but it can safely sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours if covered well.

Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes! Just use a larger baking dish and increase the baking time slightly, checking frequently to avoid over-browning.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Crisp is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day—rich, cozy, and packed with irresistible fall flavors. I promise once you make it, you’ll want to keep it in your seasonal rotation forever. So grab your spices and get baking, because this Pumpkin Crisp is meant to be shared and savored!

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