Pumpkin Lush Dessert is made with a graham cracker crust bottom, a sweet cheesecake layer, a layer of creamy pumpkin, and topped with a layer of whipped topping.

This pumpkin lush recipe is so much better than boring pumpkin pie and it is perfect for the holidays.

A piece of Pumpkin Lush dessert showing the layers of the dessert

What is a Lush dessert?

I am sure you have heard of ”Lush” desserts like Chocolate Lush or Lemon Lush. These desserts are also called “delights” like Chocolate Delight. They are known for their layers of goodness.

The layers usually are some sort of cracker/cookie crumb crust/bottom (maybe even a shortbread bottom), a cheesecake layer, the main flavor layer and then topped with a sweet whipped topping.

Layered Pumpkin Lush Dessert in a 9x13 pan with pieces cut out of the pan to show the layers of the dessert.

This pumpkin lush recipe has a graham cracker crust bottom, a sweet and easy cheesecake layer, the pumpkin spice layer and then is topped with whipped topping. It is an easy dessert that is always a crowd pleaser.

NOTE: This Pumpkin Lush recipe uses Whipped Topping (Cool Whip) in a few of the layers as well as for the topping. You will need 1 container (16 ounces) and then will use some of the whipped topping from this container for the layers and the topping.

How To Make the Graham Cracker Crust Layer for Pumpkin Lush

Graham crackers, butter and sugar are all you need for the graham cracker crust for this Pumpkin Lush Dessert.

You will need about 13 crackers of finely crushed crackers. There are usually about 9 sheet/crackers in a sleeve of graham crackers, so you will need about 1 1/2 sleeves of crackers.

To get the graham crackers finely crushed you can use a food processor, or you can put the in a zip top bag and crush the crackers with something heavy.

Graham crackers in a food processor to make graham cracker crumbs to make a graham cracker crust

Graham crackers in a food processor to make graham cracker crust.

Make sure your graham crackers are crushed fine.

Finely crushed Graham crackers to make graham cracker crust

Mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and white sugar. Brown sugar works great too.

Melted butter and graham cracker crumbs with white sugar to make a crust.

Crushed graham crackers, butter and sugar mixed together to make a crust

Press the buttery crumbs into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Firmly press on them so they are good and compact.

TIP: A heavy drinking glass or the bottom of a spoon pressed on top of the crust works perfectly for getting it good and firmly packed down.

Bake your crust for 7-10 minutes until it is warmed and a bit golden on top. Then take it out of the oven and let the crust cool.

Graham Cracker crumbs with butter and sugar pressed into a 9x13 dish.

Firmly pressed graham cracker crust in a 9x13 pan.

How To Make the Cheesecake Layer

Make the cheesecake layer while the graham cracker crust is baking.

A stand mixer works best to make the cheesecake layer, a hand mixer will work too.

Using the whisk attachment, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

Cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl to make a cheesecake layer for lush dessert

Cream cheese and powdered sugar with vanilla mixed together to make a no bake cheesecake layer for lush dessert.

Next, gently mix in some of the whipped topping.

Cool whip added to a cream cheese, powdered sugar mixture to make a no bake cheesecake layer for a lush dessert

No bake cheesecake layer for Pumpkin Lush dessert

Spread the cheesecake mixture on the cooled graham cracker crust.

TIP: It can be tricky spreading the thick cheesecakes layer. Drop the cheesecake mixture in small amounts all over the graham cracker crust. Spread the cheesecake layer on the crust spreading it only going ONE direction at a time. If you go back and forth you will pick up the top layer of the graham cracker crust. (Not a super big deal but you will end up with bits of crust in the cheesecake layer).

Cheesecake mixture spread on top of baked and cooled graham cracker crust.

Cheesecake layer spread on top of a graham cracker crust to make Pumpkin Lush Dessert

Put the pan in the fridge to let is chill while you make the pumpkin layer.

How to Make the Pumpkin Layer for Pumpkin Lush Dessert

In a medium sized bowl add the vanilla pudding with heavy whipping cream. Mix the pudding and heavy whipping cream together. It will be thick.

Heavy cream and vanilla pudding in a bowl to make a lush dessert

Vanilla pudding mixed with heavy cream to make the pumpkin lush layer of pumpkin lush dessert

Next, in a separate bowl add your can of pumpkin purée (make sure it is not pumpkin pie filling).

Then, mix your vanilla pudding mixture in with the pumpkin purée.

Pumpkin Purée and vanilla pudding mixture in a bowl to make pumpkin lush dessert.

Next, add the pumpkin spice. You can add more if you want the pumpkin spice flavor stronger. Mix it in well.

Pumpkin spice added to pumpkin mixture to make pumpkin lush

Pumpkin spice layer for Pumpkin Lush Dessert

Finally, gently fold in some of the cool whip with the pumpkin mixture. Then spread it on top of the cheesecake layer.

Cool Whip added to a pumpkin mixture for lush dessert

Pumpkin spice mixture spread over cheesecake layer for a lush dessert.

Pumpkin mixture spread on top of a cheesecake and graham cracker layer to make Pumpkin Lush dessert

Finish it off with the last of the whipped topping (Cool Whip).

Whipped Topping added to the layers for Pumpkin Lush

Cool Whip on top of layers of pumpkin lush dessert.

OPTIONAL: You can sprinkle some pumpkin spice seasoning or cinnamon on top, drizzle caramel sauce on top or add chopped nuts to the top. I like to keep mine simple.

Serving Pumpkin Lush Dessert

This dessert needs to chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving. It will cut better and stay together better the longer it has been in the fridge. Overnight is even better to get it good and chilled.

When it is ready to serve, cut the lush into pieces/slices and enjoy! You can get 12 good size pieces out of a 9×13 pan.

A slice of pumpkin lush dessert on a plate with the 9x13 pan in the background

A plate with Pumpkin Lush Dessert on it with a fork taking a piece out of the slice.

If you liked this recipe please take the time to leave a comment and a star rating below! Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!

For some more pumpkins treats, try my Pumpkin Bars with cream cheese frosting, my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, or my Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting.

Here are some products I used to make this recipe!

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