Fall baking wouldn’t be complete without a decadent pumpkin dessert! These Salted Caramel Pumpkin Parfaits are layered with gingersnaps, pumpkin pudding, and homemade salted caramel sauce and served in cute little mason jars! This (mostly) no-bake dessert is perfect for traveling, so be sure to save this recipe for the holidays!
It’s pumpkin season ya’ll. Let’s indulge a little! I admit, I’m 100% guilty of pinning a million and one pumpkin desserts this time of year, so I figured it was necessary to share a little pumpkin treat here on the blog! But this is more than just a little treat… It’s the ULTIMATE pumpkin treat. Here’s how it came about…
Earlier this Summer I came up with one of my favorite desserts ever (okay, they’re really all my favorites, but still) … Banana Cream Pudding Parfaits. The flavors and textures turned out fabulous, and all those pretty layers stacked in a cute little mason jar was just to die for. Seriously amazing! They were such a hit that I couldn’t help but dream up other flavor combos I could use with these pudding parfaits, and wouldn’t ya know it… pumpkin was at the top of my list! I told you… pumpkin addict right now!
The main component of the parfait is an incredible pumpkin pudding made with vanilla instant pudding, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. It’s nice and thick and FULL of pumpkin flavor! Just check out how gorgeous the color is…
Then I added a layer of Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting to add some fluff and contrasting color against the bright orange pudding. Have you seen this stuff in stores yet? It’s in the frozen section right next to the regular Cool Whip, and I just love it! They have a few different flavors, and I thought the cream cheese would be just perfect with the pumpkin. If you can’t find the frosting in stores though, regular ol’ Cool Whip will work fine here!
And by the way, I think piping the pudding and frosting into the jars is the easiest way to go about assembling the parfaits. It helps keep the layers nice and pretty! You don’t need any fancy piping bags, just grab a zip-top bag and cut off one of the corners. Works like a charm!
I wanted to have some crunch against all the soft layers of cream and pudding, so I chopped up some gingersnaps I bought from the store and added those to the jars as well. The gingersnaps are crisp and crunchy and have a wonderful warm, spicy flavor! Pumpkin and gingersnaps are truly a match made in Heaven!
Oh, and I’ll give you fair warning… chopping up the gingersnaps with a knife tends to shoot them all across your kitchen. You should have seen my floor when I was done! I probably should have been wearing protective eyewear with how violently these little cookies were flying. If you want to avoid this mess, you can pulse the gingersnaps in a food processor a few times or just crush them up in a zip-top bag instead. I just like the little chunks of cookie you get from chopping them.
I mean, really… don’t you just want to dive into those layers right now? Go grab a spoon!
But wait! What if I added another one of my favorite Fall flavors to this dessert… Salted Caramel! Yep, I did! I checked out a from-scratch Salted Caramel recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod and created something that would change my life forever. Just look at that beautiful, deep amber, homemade caramel sauce!
Now drizzle that gorgeous salted caramel all over the top… ohhh yeah! I told you this was the ULTIMATE pumpkin dessert!
The best part about these cute little parfaits in a jar… they’re perfect for traveling! Once you assemble them, just pop the lids on and stick them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to go. Why bring a boring pie to Thanksgiving dinner when you can bring these babies?
Salted Caramel Pumpkin Parfaits
40 gingersnaps, chopped
1 – (5.1 ounce) package Jell-o vanilla instant pudding
1 – (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 cups cold milk
1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
2 – (10 ounce) containers Cool Whip Cream Cheese Frosting, thawed
For the Salted Caramel:
2 cups granulated sugar
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into cubes
1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
1 tablespoon sea salt
First prepare the salted caramel:
Add the sugar in an even layer to a 2-3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. When the sugar begins to melt, use a whisk to stir the sugar until it is completely melted. Continue cooking the sugar until it becomes deep amber in color and reaches a temperature of 350 degrees. I recommend using a thermometer! As soon as the sugar hits 350 degrees, carefully add the butter all at once, whisking until the butter is melted. Be careful, the caramel will bubble up at this point! You can switch to a wooden spoon now if the sugar is getting stuck to the whisk. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stir until the cream is incorporated into the sauce and the caramel is smooth. Add the sea salt and stir to combine. Allow the caramel to cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan before using.
Then assemble the parfaits:
In a large bowl, combine the instant pudding mix, pumpkin pie spice, and milk, and beat with a whisk for 2 minutes. Gently fold in pumpkin puree and set aside. Layer about 2 tablespoons of the gingersnaps into the bottom of 8 half pint jars. Top the gingersnaps with a layer of the pumpkin pudding you prepared earlier. Then add a layer of the cream cheese frosting. Drizzle with a spoonful of the salted caramel sauce. Repeat the layers twice with remaining ingredients. Garnish the tops of the parfaits with extra salted caramel and gingersnaps. Refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving.
– Transfer the extra salted caramel into a large jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Just heat it up before serving.
Check out these other delicious desserts:
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P.S. I’m sharing this post at some awesome link parties… Check them out HERE!
Delicious! Pinned this for later, I’m having a few little get togethers this fall including thanksgiving, may have to use this delicious recipe!
Kallie @ But First, Coffee
These look amazing, Liz! Wonderful presentation 🙂 I like how they are portable which is great for this time of year!
Wow these look out of this world. 🙂
Ah these look so yummy! I can’t wait to try them!
Gorgeous parfaits! And that drizzle – swoon!
Liz, these look so amazingly delicious. The recipe makes them even better. Thanks so much for sharing such a yummy recipe.
I’d love it if you linked this up over at Living Well Spending Less for Thrifty Thursday this week! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/
These Look Amazing. I’m totally making these. Thanks for sharing.
This is kind of amazing!
Liz, these parfaits look gorgeous! Stopping by from Wow Me Wednesday – I have most definitely been Wowwed!! 🙂
what a unique way to use up pumpkin puree! way easier to whip up than a pie!
Absolutely heavenly Liz! Just gorgeous!!
How many does the recipe make?
The recipe makes 8 jars. Hope you enjoy them!
Your photos are incredible and this recipe is heading straight to my pin board. Will definitely be featuring it in this week’s pumpkin recipes roundup too. I love homemade caramel sauce and haven’t made it in ages. What a great reason to bust out some butter and get to dessert making!
Those look incredible!!! Sharing on my FB page! Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday!
Good gravy…I just want to dive headfirst into those jars! Yummo!!!!
Just pinned this! I want a bite right now, I will be making soon!
Those look absolutely DELICIOUS! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Eliza @ http://www.lizalouloves.blogspot.com
Great project !!
I would love you to come and share @ Craft, Create & Inspire linky party !!!
Look forward to seeing you there 🙂
http://lemonpaperdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/craft-create-inspire-linky-party-2.html
Claire x
Liz, these look absolutely amazing! I wish I had one in front of me right now 🙂
Yes these look like the ULTIMATE pumpkin dessert of all time! Pinning these and will be trying them out ASAP!
Love it! If you haven’t linked up yet, come share your project on Teach Me Tuesday: http://www.somedayilllearn.com/2013/10/21/teach-tuesday-38/
YUM! Makes me want to reach in and have a taste 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up all of your awesome projects and yummy recipes with us each week at LLR. I love having you! xo
Those look amazing!!! Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to make them.
WOW! WOW! WOW! This looks incredible!!!
Hi! I wish that I could eat one of these RIGHT NOW. They look like heaven in a mason jar!
PS – Your blog is lovely!
Stopping by from 6 Sisters Stuff Link Party!
Yummy! I’d love for you to join the Pinworthy Projects party! http://www.atkinsondrive.com/pinworthy-projects-link-party-12/
This looks absolutely delicious. Great way to use the pumpkins after Halloween!!
Love the idea of these! They’re so pretty and I’m sure they taste amazing. How cute would these be for a unique Thanksgiving dessert?!
Perfect for Thanksgiving! Thanks for stopping by, Emily!
If you were to make these the night before and refrigeratewill they still taste the same or is it best to only refrigerate for the two hours?
Hey Nicole! The gingersnaps may soften a bit more, but I think it would be okay. You’ll have to let me know how they turn out!
Hi,
This is a delicious recipe. I’d like to make it into a trifle to feed a crowd, and I’m wondering if you think I would need to triple the recipe to fit a trifle bowl?
Thanks.
Depending on how big your trifle bowl is, I would say definitely double and possibly triple the recipe. You’ll have to let me know when you make it how it turns out!