Pumpkin Icebox Squares

Orange zest adds a fruity twist to a classic Fall treat, which we’ve topped with a seasonally spiced whipped cream. The squares can be made up to two days in advance and stored in a tightly covered pan in the refrigerator.

Hands-on Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes plus overnight chilling time
Serves: 24

by Kathy Farrell-Kingsley and Laraine Perri | Photograph by Laura Johansen

What you’ll need

    FOR THE CRUST
    2 cups graham cracker crumbs
    1/3 cup sugar
    1/2 cup butter, melted
    FOR THE FILLING
    1 (29-ounce) can pumpkin
    6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
    3/4 cup packed brown sugar
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
    1/8 teaspoon salt
    1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
    2 teaspoons grated orange zest
    3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
    1/2 cup boiling water
    FOR THE TOPPING
    3/4 cup whipping cream
    1 1/2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
    1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to make it

    For the crust, heat the oven to 350°. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the butter and stir until well blended. Press the crumbs into the bottom and partially up the sides of a 9- by 13-inch baking pan.

    Bake until the crumbs have set, about 10 minutes. Let the crust cool on a wire rack.

    In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the pumpkin, cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth, about 2 minutes.

    In a small saucepan, combine the evaporated milk and orange zest and bring to a simmer over medium heat, about 3 minutes. Put the gelatin in a small bowl and gradually add the boiling water, stirring until the gelatin completely dissolves and thickens, about 3 minutes.

    Stir the gelatin into the milk mixture until it is well blended. Simmer, stirring until the gelatin is absorbed completely, 1 to 2 minutes.

    Slowly beat the milk mixture into the pumpkin mixture, on low speed, until they’re blended together, about 1 minute.

    Pour all of the filling onto the cooled crust. Let the filling cool, about 30 minutes, then cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dessert overnight to set it.

    Just before serving, make the topping. Use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the whipping cream, confectioners’ sugar, and cinnamon until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Cut the dessert into squares, then transfer them to serving plates. Top each with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1/24 of recipe) Calories 173, Total Fat 9 g (14%), Saturated Fat 5 g (27%), Cholesterol 29 mg (10%), Sodium 136 mg (6%), Total Carbohydrate 20 g (7%), Fiber 2 g (8%), Sugars 14 g, Protein 3 g (6%), Vitamin A (90%)

Thanks to Family Fun Magazine and Spoonful.com for this recipe.