Caramel Pumpkin Lush!

 

This time of year my mind turns to recipes I can make that include pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or apples, the things that are plentiful and so good here during Autumn.    I must admit I am one of those people who love all things "pumpkin spice" and I did even before it became such a thing with the latte drinking crowd!   I just love pumpkin and anything cinnamon or pumpkin spice flavored!   

That is how this dessert came to be.  There are some similar recipes online, but I sort of adapted it to make it my own version,  and it's delicious!!!  This is great for serving company or to take to a big family dinner, because it serves several people.  Here is what you will need:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
2 cups self rising flour
1 cup nuts, chopped pecans, divided
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. vanilla

2 (3 oz.) small boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups milk

1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons caramel ice cream topping

16 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided 

Garnishes

Fall sprinkles

candy corn

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   In  a mixing bowl, combine the flour and the softened butter.  Spray a 9"x13" baking pan with nonstick spray.  

 Pat the flour and butter mixture into the pan evenly.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chopped pecans over all and press them lightly into the crust before you bake it.   Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool.  

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, confectioner's sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla until smooth.  Fold in two cups of the whipped topping until blended. Spread evenly over the crust.  

In another large bowl beat the dry pudding mixes with the cold milk until thickened.  Beat in 1/2 cup of caramel topping.  Spread over the cream cheese layer.  

Drop the remaining whipped topping by spoonfuls over the top and spread evenly.

Drizzle the top with the other 2 Tablespoons of caramel topping and sprinkle with the rest of the chopped pecans.    You can also garnish with Fall colored sprinkles!!! 

Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight!!!

When ready to serve, cut in squares!  I garnished with a little candy corn for an extra Fall touch!!!   This is wonderful dessert for Fall and the upcoming holidays and it keeps in the fridge for several days!!! Enjoy!!! 

 

Turtle Nachos!

Did the name of this recipe grab your attention?  No, it's not nachos made with turtle meat...lol. This is a sweet dessert nacho inspired by the chocolate covered caramel nut clusters most of us love.   I was trying to think of a dessert that would not require turning on the oven in this horrible heat wave, but I am getting a little tired of the 'no bake' cold and frozen desserts.  I like them, but I wanted something warm and chocolaty. Since I love Tex Mex or Mexican foods,  I always have a package of flour tortillas and I had a bag of mini chocolate chips and the 'Turtle Nacho" was born.  Here is what you will need, but be creative and put whatever you and your family or guests like on them.  

Ingredients:

8 -10 medium flour tortillas

caramel ice cream topping

mini chocolate chips

chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, even peanuts would be great)

mixture of sugar and cinnamon

vegetable or canola oil for frying

 

With your kitchen shears or  a pizza cutter, cut the tortillas in triangle shapes, like tortilla chips.  Heat the oil in a deep fryer or  just a pan deep enough to deep fry in.  Get it good and hot to about 375 degrees.  Drop the tortillas in by batches and watch them close because they brown quickly.  Flip them over once to brown both sides. Remove them to a platter big enough to spread them all out.  Mix up some sugar and cinnamon in a bowl or I use a shaker like the ones for Parmesan cheese and sprinkle each batch as soon as you take them out and they are hot.

After you have them all fried up and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar,drizzle warm caramel sundae syrup over the whole thing.  I used Smucker's because it's in a squeeze bottle and can be heated in the microwave right in the bottle. 

Sprinkle the mini chocolate chip and the crushed nuts over all.  You can use whatever other toppings you like.  If you are making these for children or teens, mini M&M candies instead of the mini chocolate chips would be a definite hit.  Also, miniature marshmallows would work well.  This is just an easy fun dish and works great for a party or family gathering.  It would be a perfect dessert for a Mexican buffet or themed party also.

Turtle Nachos!