Pumpkin Spice Pudding Torte ~ My New Pumpkin Pie!

Remember this Chocolate Pudding Torte recipe I posted a while back? A family recipe from my mom with different versions of pudding. Now this recipe is always received well whenever I have made it. I really didn't think it could get any better, but I was so very wrong!


When I took suggestions for our Christmas meal, a friend said he would like something pumpkin for dessert. I had seen photos on Pinterest of what pinners were calling Pumpkin Lust that looked very similar to my torte recipe and decided to replace chocolate pudding with Pumpkin Spice pudding. I really have him to thank for this new absolute favorite pumpkin recipe. I seriously may never make pumpkin pie again! Easier than pumpkin pie too. I , of course, taste tested this first before serving as I do with any  new recipe and had the urge after just one single bite, to run and hide in the closet with it and not even share. This will be the start of a new Thanksgiving tradition at our house, sorry Pumpkin pie...


I made only a couple of changes from my original pudding torte recipe. I added more Cool Whip on the top layer to closer resemble Pumpkin Pie and sprinkled the top with nutmeg. Perfection.


Ingredients:
Crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
2 Tbls. sugar


Mix like pie crust and spread into a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Pat down. Bake for 15 minutes at 350. Cool completely.
First filling layer:


8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz. Cool Whip, divided


Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Fold in 2 cups Cool Whip. Spread on cooled crust.
Second filling layer:


2 small packages of instant Pumpkin Spice pudding


Mix with 2 1/2 cups of milk. (do not follow package instructions) Pour over cream cheese mixture. Let set in refrigerator and cover with remaining Cool Whip, plus another 8 oz container. Sprinkle top with nutmeg.

Pumpkin Spice pudding is seasonal and starts to show itself in stores a few weeks before Thanksgiving. I found some in the clearance aisle at our grocery store and picked up a few extras as it has a shelf life of a couple of years. 

Try this! You just have to!