Warm, spiced, and buttery—this pumpkin crisp recipe delivers all the cozy fall vibes. A quick, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for Thanksgiving!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pumpkin Crisp shines because of its humble, straightforward ingredients, each one bringing either backbone, sweetness, or the ideal crunch. Choosing the right components makes all the difference for capturing that cozy flavor and irresistible texture. Here’s what you need and why:
- Pumpkin Puree: The heart of this dessert, providing earthy flavor and creamy body—use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling and keeps the pumpkin from tasting flat.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth, molasses notes, and a little extra moisture to both filling and topping.
- Large Eggs: Bind everything into a smooth, custardy base—crucial for the creamy set.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings fragrant warmth and rounds out the spices.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: The signature blend, bursting with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove for full-on fall flair.
- Ground Cinnamon: Doubles down on comforting aroma, in both filling and crisp topping.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and lifts up every other flavor beautifully.
- Evaporated Milk: Makes the filling silky, rich, and perfectly old-fashioned—don’t skip it.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the topping its structure, turning crumbly instead of cakey.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: The key to that hearty crunch; rolled oats work best.
- Pecans (Optional): Add a nutty bite and gorgeous toasty flavor to your crisp topping—totally worth it if you love nuts.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter binds the topping and helps it brown to perfection.
How to Make Pumpkin Crisp
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish & Preheat
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot by the time everything comes together. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish using cooking spray or a thin coating of butter. This ensures your Pumpkin Crisp releases effortlessly, giving you golden edges in every serving.
Step 2: Mix the Pumpkin Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, both sugars, eggs, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt, and evaporated milk. Don’t rush this step—a thorough mix will ensure your filling is wonderfully smooth and that each forkful is bursting with perfectly balanced flavors and that creamy texture everyone craves.
Step 3: Pour Filling into Dish
Once your filling is completely blended, pour it into your prepared dish. Give the pan a gentle shake or tap it lightly on the counter—this helps the filling settle evenly, which means your Pumpkin Crisp bakes up with no air pockets or uneven layers.
Step 4: Make the Crisp Topping
Grab a clean bowl and add the flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and chopped pecans (if using). Pour the melted butter over these dry ingredients, then stir until a crumbly mixture forms. The butter does the magic here, binding everything into perfect clusters—exactly what you want for supreme crunch.
Step 5: Layer the Topping Evenly
Gently sprinkle the crisp topping across the pumpkin filling, aiming for even coverage. Don’t press it down—just let the crumbs rest on top so they crisp up beautifully in the oven and form that iconic, crackly lid.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are slightly caramelized, the center doesn’t jiggle, and the topping is golden brown and crisp. Let your Pumpkin Crisp cool for at least 15 minutes before serving; this gives the custard time to set and the flavors to meld into autumn magic.
How to Serve Pumpkin Crisp
Garnishes
A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream transforms Pumpkin Crisp into pure decadence. For extra flair, a sprinkle of cinnamon or even a drizzle of caramel sauce makes each piece feel like a special-occasion treat. Don’t forget a scattering of toasted pecans if you’re aiming for a showstopper presentation!
Side Dishes
Although Pumpkin Crisp stands strong on its own, consider pairing it with a mug of hot apple cider, a cozy chai, or strong black coffee. If you’d like something tart to balance the sweet spices, serve alongside cranberry compote or fresh berries—beautiful and balanced!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, bake individual Pumpkin Crisp portions in ramekins—perfect for dinner parties or potlucks. You can even fill mason jars for an adorable, portable treat at fall gatherings or picnics. Another popular idea: offer a “crisp bar” with various toppings like whipped cream, candied ginger, and chocolate chips, so everyone can personalize their dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Pumpkin Crisp will keep beautifully in the refrigerator, tightly covered or transferred to an airtight container, for up to 4 days. The topping stays delightfully crisp for a day or two, and beyond that, you’ll still enjoy those cozy flavors—just with a softer lid.
Freezing
You can freeze Pumpkin Crisp (either whole or in portions) after it’s fully baked and cooled. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or transfer to a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To regain that irresistible crunch, reheat Pumpkin Crisp in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. If you’re in a hurry, a quick zap in the microwave does the trick (though the topping won’t be quite as crisp). A few minutes under the broiler will revive the crust if needed.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?
Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin puree works wonderfully in this recipe—just make sure it’s well-drained and similar in thickness to canned pumpkin so your filling doesn’t get watery.
Is Pumpkin Crisp gluten-free?
It’s not gluten-free as written, but you can easily swap in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and certified gluten-free oats for a delicious, allergy-friendly version.
Can I leave out the pecans?
Definitely! The pecans add texture and nuttiness, but Pumpkin Crisp is still delightful and flavorful without them. For extra crunch, consider adding sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead.
Will this work as a make-ahead dessert?
Yes! You can prepare the filling and topping separately up to a day in advance. Store them covered in the fridge, then assemble and bake right before serving for maximum freshness and crunch.
What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
No worries! Replace it with a mix of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of allspice or clove to recreate those classic fall flavors for your Pumpkin Crisp.
Final Thoughts
If you’re dreaming of a dessert that captures the best of pumpkin pie and a classic crisp, this Pumpkin Crisp truly delivers. It’s the kind of cozy, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s destined to become a new favorite. Give it a try and prepare to wow everyone at the table!
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Pumpkin Crisp Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Warm, spiced, and buttery—this pumpkin crisp recipe delivers all the cozy fall vibes. A quick, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for Thanksgiving!
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make the Pumpkin Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, salt, and evaporated milk until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Transfer Filling: Pour the pumpkin filling evenly into your prepared baking dish, smoothing out the top with a spatula.
- Prepare Crisp Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and pecans (if using). Drizzle in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the pumpkin filling, covering the entire surface.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the center is set and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool & Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature, with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
- Pecans are optional in the topping but add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Letting the crisp cool slightly helps it set and makes serving easier.
- This dessert is delicious warm, but leftovers can be chilled and enjoyed cold.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: Approx. 270
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 53mg