Home Β» Recipes Β» Pumpkin Fluff. Is it an appetizer or a dessert?

Pumpkin Fluff. Is it an appetizer or a dessert?

closet up of fall bowl with Pumpkin Fluff inside and dippers in the background
Spread the love

Now that Autumn is officially here, I’m all about the yummy recipes that come with it.  And for those of us still duking it out with Mother Nature over the warm days, the recipe I’m sharing is perfect.  It’s called Pumpkin Fluff. Is it an appetizer or a dessert?  Some might agree it’s a full meal.

green and orange PC graphic wreath

Today is a Pinterest Challenge with pumpkin recipes.  If you found your way here from The Crowned Goat, howdy!  Are you familiar with a Pinterest Challenge?  It’s a monthly post where each of us take either the same photo or the same theme found on Pinterest and change it to fit our lifestyle.  If you’d like to see more of them, just search Pinterest Challenge and several will pop up or click here to see 2023’s Pinterest Challenge – A Harvest Hit From A Store-Bought Cake!

Okay, are you ready?  There are a lot of great recipes to drool over so let’s get started.

Pumpkin Fluff. Is it an appetizer or a dessert?

If you are looking for the perfect fall party food, I’ve got it!  It’s only 4 ingredients and comes together in about 5 minutes!  The only thing you need to worry about is did you make enough.  And be prepared to give out the recipe.  Your guests will love it!

collage of pumpkin fluff instructionsEasy steps to make Pumpkin Fluff

Ingredients:

  • 1-15oz. Can of Pure Pumpkin or Puree (not pumpkin pie filling) and I keep it in the refrigerator until ready to make.
  • 1-3.4 oz. Box of Instant Vanilla or Cream Cheese Pudding
  • 1.5 tsp. of Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 12 oz. of Cool Whip (thawed but out of the refrigerator.  Not room temperature)
  • Dash of Cinnamon for topping (optional)

folding in cool whipFolding in the Cool Whip

Instructions:

  • In a large bowl add the first 3 ingredients – Pure Pumpkin, Instant Pudding and Pumpkin Pie Spice.  Do not add the Cool Whip yet.
  • Using an electric mixer, combine first 3 ingredients thoroughly.
  • Fold in Cool Whip with a spatula or spoon.  Do not use the electric mixer. 
  • Refrigerate until ready to eat.

gold fall bowl with Pumpkin Fluff on bread boardPumpkin Fluff with a dash of cinnamon on top

It’s that easy!  And so light and fluffy that you’ll have to control yourself from eating it by the spoonful.  Here’s a list of dippers that we’ve found to be perfect for this.

orange tray of Pumpkin Fluff dippers

Dippers:  I’m sure there are others dipper ideas but these are the ones we’ve tried and found quite tasty.

  • Graham Crackers
  • Lotus Biscoff Cookies
  • Sliced Apples
  • Dot’s Homestyle Cinnamon/Sugar Pretzel Sticks 

closet up of fall bowl with Pumpkin Fluff inside and dippers in the background

Well, that is Pumpkin Fluff. Is it an appetizer or a dessert?  I think it’s so delicious that I could fill myself up and call it a meal!  πŸ˜‰  If you’d like to see my Recipe Board on Pinterest click here.

Next up is DIY Beautify with a recipe I can hardly wait to make!  Don’t forget to check out all the recipes below.  My advice  – don’t do it on an empty stomach.  Enjoy!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


32 Comments

  1. September 24, 2024 / 6:08 am

    This looks delicious, Cindy. Sending to my Mom right now so we can have it at our annual Spooky Soiree. I’m sure it will be a big hit! Hugs and Happy Fall, CoCo

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:14 pm

      A Spooky Soiree sounds super fun! I think everyone will love the flavor and your mom will love how easy it is to make! Thank you CoCo.

  2. Lauren S
    September 24, 2024 / 7:38 am

    All these pumpkins recipes are mouth-watering. I’m looking forward to trying out many of them. I do, however, miss the decorating challenges and hope you will return to those for October, November, and December. In the meantime, I’ll be drowning my decorating sorrows in pumpkin fluff!

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:16 pm

      LOL Lauren, at least that’s a great way to drown any kind of sorrows. Thank you for the visit and comment. I’ve heard that from another reader. We’ll get back to decorating something next month. πŸ˜‰

  3. September 24, 2024 / 9:12 am

    This looks so good and so easy to make. Can;t wait to make for my family.

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:17 pm

      Kids seem to like it the most. At least that is the case around here. Thanks Ms. Marty.

  4. September 24, 2024 / 9:55 am

    Oh boy is my mouth watering. I can’t wait to try this. Thank you so much for hosting!

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:18 pm

      I don’t usually like pumpkin anything but this stuff is delicious. Enjoy Laura.

  5. Diane
    September 24, 2024 / 10:01 am

    Oh my goodness Cindy!!! My only question: Since it has pumpkin in it and if I use a apple slice dipper, can it count as healthy eating?

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:19 pm

      Oh yes. I say – absolutely Diane! Especially if you use Lite Cool Whip. πŸ˜‰

  6. MrsSW
    September 24, 2024 / 10:22 am

    Cindy – thank you for publishing this recipe. Years ago I used to make Pumpkin Fluff quite often but had forgotten about it. I have all the ingredients on hand and will be making it for tonight’s dessert.
    Pinned.
    Sheila

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:21 pm

      You are so welcome Ms. Sheila. I think it would be yummy and look amazing served in a parfait dish or in the mini graham cracker pie crusts! Enjoy!

  7. September 24, 2024 / 10:36 am

    I’m thinking that would be delicious on top of hot pumpkin bread. looks so yummy. Fall has finally arrived here.!

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:22 pm

      Oh my, that DOES sound good. I’ll try it! Thank you Debra.

  8. September 24, 2024 / 11:27 am

    Cindy, your pumpkin fluff sounds and looks like it could be very addicting! My mom used to make raspberry fluff that was my favorite, so I’m sure I’ll love this! Um, how have I never ever heard of cream cheese instant pudding mix before?? Cannot wait to to try this!!

    • September 24, 2024 / 2:26 pm

      I think the cream cheese instant pudding is fairly new. Some people mix that with the vanilla or banana flavor when making banana pudding. Thanks!

  9. September 24, 2024 / 3:25 pm

    I love anything creamy and sweet, so this sounds amazing. Think I’d like it with apple slices, chopped nuts and heath crumbles;) I’ll just be sitting over in a corner eating a bowl;) Pinning!

    • September 24, 2024 / 6:07 pm

      Oh my, I think those toppings sound amazing! I’m trying them. And we already have the Heath bits! Thanks Lora.

  10. September 24, 2024 / 3:35 pm

    This recipe looks so delicious Cindy! I think the grandkids will go nuts over your pumpkin fluff. They love to dip and this will make an extra special snack, but I’ll have to hide it from the Mister until they get here! 😊

    • September 24, 2024 / 6:12 pm

      I took it to a function on Monday and the kids there LOVED it. I served it with the apple slices and graham crackers. We had to give them their own plops because they were licking off the fluff and double dipping! LOL. Let me know how they like it. Thank you Michelle.

  11. September 25, 2024 / 8:12 am

    I vote for both appetizer and dessert! This looks so good and makes me want to “dip right in!”

    • September 25, 2024 / 8:36 pm

      You’re funny. Thanks so much Missy.

  12. September 25, 2024 / 11:07 am

    This Pumpkin Fluff recipe sounds like the perfect treat to welcome the fall season! I love how quick and easy it is to make with just a few ingredients, and the versatility of serving it as either an appetizer or dessert is genius! I can already imagine how delicious it must taste with those cinnamon/sugar pretzel sticks or graham crackers. Definitely a must-try for fall gatherings. Thanks for sharing such a fun and festive recipeβ€”I’m adding it to my recipe board right away! πŸπŸŽƒ

    • September 25, 2024 / 8:39 pm

      Thank you Anna. If the recipe isn’t easy I don’t make it. And if it doesn’t taste good to our family, I won’t post it. Easy as that. Hope you like it too. I was thinking as a dessert, how nice it would be in a graham cracker mini crust pie tin! :0

  13. September 25, 2024 / 12:33 pm

    I’m with you… I would probably eat that by the spoonfuls if it was in my home. However, the Biscoff biscuits would be my dipper of choice! Thanks for hosting this wonderful hop, my friend!

    • September 25, 2024 / 8:40 pm

      The Biscoff biscuit ended up being my favorite after about 2 of them. LOL! Thanks Julie.

  14. September 25, 2024 / 6:09 pm

    Cindy, your pumpkin fluff looks amazing!! I think I will make this for a Halloween snack at school. I am sure the kids (and adults) would all LOVE it! Thank you so much for hosting this fun challenge. Happy Pumpkin Season!!

    • September 25, 2024 / 8:41 pm

      Oh yes, I think they will love it too! You can feel all good-mom-healthy too if you serve it with apple slices. πŸ˜‰ Thank you Lynne. Let me know if they like it.

  15. September 26, 2024 / 7:43 am

    Wow! This looks fantastic and can’t wait to make it this fall season. We have a couple of upcoming gatherings so this will be perfect.

    • September 27, 2024 / 6:07 pm

      That’s exactly why I shared it. It’s seriously fabulous for a gathering. Especially if you need something quick and easy. Enjoy it! Thanks Christy

  16. September 30, 2024 / 10:45 am

    This looks so yummy! My grandbaby, Evie, looks to “dip, dip” practically anything, so I know she’d love this! Thanks for the recipe and for hosting.
    Niky

    • October 8, 2024 / 1:30 pm

      How fun. Let me know what she thinks. Thank you Niky.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.