Pumpkin Caramel Trifle

November 4, 2021
Cubes of tender pumpkin cake layered with creamy pumpkin filling and drizzled with caramel create this perfect-for-fall Pumpkin Caramel Trifle. It's one amazingly tasty and beautiful pumpkin dessert, for sure!

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Image

Who loves creamy, comfort-food desserts? And who loves pumpkin? If your answer to both those questions is yes, this Pumpkin Caramel Trifle is a must-try for you!

Because Pumpkin Caramel Trifle is one of those creamy, gets-all-squishy-together desserts that just screams pure sweet treat comfort food delight. And with its pumpkin cake and creamy pumpkin filling layers, it's simply jam-packed loaded with fabulous pumpkin flavor.

And now, the caramel drizzle between those pumpkin cake and filling layers? -- Well, that just puts this creamy dessert over the top in terms of its deliciousness.

Cubes of tender pumpkin cake layered with creamy pumpkin filling and drizzled with caramel create this perfect-for-fall Pumpkin Caramel Trifle.

The pumpkin cake that serves as the foundation of the trifle is a slight modification to our Yellow Cake Mix Pumpkin Cake recipe. Using a boxed yellow cake mix as the cake's base makes it super easy to prepare. For the trifle's cake version, we added one more egg to the cake recipe. This creates a super light, airy, and spongy cake that beautifully absorbs the trifle's caramel drizzle and moisture from the creamy pumpkin filling.

Not only does Pumpkin Caramel Trifle taste amazing, it's one strikingly beautiful dessert, too. Well, at least until individual servings are scooped out, that is! 

Yes, layered trifle desserts are gorgeous in their serving bowl, but then not so much once plated as a serving. Though those Pumpkin Caramel Trifle individual servings may look a tad messy, rest assured, they sure taste delicious!

Plated Serving of Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Image

What's to Love About This Recipe?
  • Creamy comfort-food dessert - Pumpkin Caramel Trifle is one of those creamy, gets-all-squishy-together desserts that just screams pure sweet treat comfort food delight. 
  • Loaded with pumpkin flavor - With its pumpkin cake and creamy pumpkin filling layers, it's simply jam-packed with fabulous pumpkin flavor.
  • Beautiful trifle layers - Its layers of cake, creamy filling, and drizzle of caramel on top make it one beautiful pumpkin dessert, for sure.

Fork Bite of Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Image

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Ingredients:

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle is built with layers of tender pumpkin cake, creamy pumpkin filling, and caramel drizzle.

For the pumpkin cake layers, you'll need:

  • Yellow cake mix
  • Canned 100% pure pumpkin
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Milk
  • Canola (or vegetable) oil
  • Eggs

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Cake Layer Ingredients Image

For the creamy pumpkin filling, drizzle, and topping, you'll need:

  • Cream cheese
  • Canned 100% pure pumpkin
  • Confectioners' sugar
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Cool Whip
  • Caramel ice cream topping
  • Chopped pecans

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Pumpkin Filling Layer Ingredients Image

How to Make Pumpkin Caramel Trifle:

There are three parts to making this tasty Pumpkin Caramel Trifle:
  1. Baking the pumpkin cake
  2. Preparing the creamy filling, and
  3. Assembling the trifle.

1. Bake the Pumpkin Cake

The pumpkin cake is a really easy pumpkin cake made with yellow cake mix as its base. Simply mix a box of yellow cake mix with canned 100% pure pumpkinpumpkin pie spice, eggs, milk, and oil. Then bake it up, and voila!, -- you have a fabulous pumpkin cake to serve as the foundation of the trifle.

Baked Pumpkin Cake to Make Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Image

2. Prepare the Creamy Filling

To prepare the creamy filling, combine cream cheese with some confectioners' sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and a can of 100% pure pumpkin, beating them together until the mixture is smooth.

Then fold in some Cool Whip until everything's fluffy and well combined.

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Filling Mixture Image

3. Assemble the Trifle

To assemble the trifle, start by cutting the cooled pumpkin cake into 1-inch cubes.

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Cake Cubes Image

Then build layers of cake cubes and the creamy pumpkin filling in a trifle bowl, drizzling caramel topping between each layer.

How to Make Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Image

Drizzle the entire top of the trifle with caramel ice cream topping.

Drizzling Pumpkin Caramel Trifle with Caramel Image

Then top it off with a sprinkling of chopped pecans.

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Topped with Pecans Image

Cover and refrigerate the trifle overnight to allow the layers and flavors to meld.

Then you're ready to go with digging into the creamy deliciousness! Top individual servings with a dollop of Cool Whip, if you'd like.

Bite of Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Image

So if you love creamy, comfort-food desserts and pumpkin, Pumpkin Caramel Trifle is a must-try for you. Because it's one of those creamy, all-squishy-together desserts that just screams pure sweet treat comfort food delight.

Recipe FAQs:
  • Does Pumpkin Caramel Trifle have to be refrigerated overnight before serving, or can I serve it sooner? - Well, it's best to let this Pumpkin Caramel Trifle chill out overnight to allow the layers and flavors to meld. And truly, it's at its best once it's stood that long. That being said, it can be served the same day it's made if need be. Allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 to 6 hours before serving. But wait until the next day if possible! -- The result is absolutely worth the wait.

  • Can I use a different cake mix besides a yellow cake mix to make Pumpkin Caramel Trifle? - We like the flavor of the cake best when made with a yellow cake mix. You can also use a Butter Golden cake mix just fine.

  • How long can Pumpkin Caramel Trifle be stored in the refrigerator and still be good? - Pumpkin Caramel Trifle is at its best when enjoyed within 2-3 days of being made, but can keep in the refrigerator just fine for about 5 to 6 days.

  • Can I substitute homemade whipped cream for the Cool Whip in this Pumpkin Caramel Trifle recipe? - Absolutely, you can use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip to make this tasty pumpkin trifle dessert.

Check out these other super delicious pumpkin desserts:

Glass Bowl of Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Image
Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!

pumpkin trifle, pumpkin trifle recipe, pumpkin caramel trifle, pumpkin trifle with caramel
Dessert
American
Yield: 12-16 servings
Pumpkin Caramel Trifle

Pumpkin Caramel Trifle

Cubes of tender pumpkin cake layered with creamy pumpkin filling and drizzled with caramel create this perfect-for-fall Pumpkin Caramel Trifle. It's one amazingly tasty and beautiful pumpkin dessert, for sure!
Prep time: 35 MinCook time: 28 MinInactive time: 8 HourTotal time: 9 H & 3 M

Ingredients

Pumpkin Cake:
Creamy Filling:
  • 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 c. confectioners' sugar
  • 1 3/4 c. 100% pure pumpkin (a 15 oz. can)
  • 3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
  • 12 oz. Cool Whip (1 & 1/2 8 oz. containers)
Drizzle & Topping:

Instructions

Prepare the Pumpkin Cake:
  1. DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CAKE MIX BOX. FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS INSTEAD.
  2. Place dry cake mix in a mixing bowl. Add pumpkin pie spice and stir to combine.
  3. Add pumpkin, milk, oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down sides at least once.
  4. Pour batter into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.
  5. Bake at 350℉ for 28-30 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool completely.
Prepare the Creamy Filling:
  1. Beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. 
  2. Add confectioners' sugar, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice. Beat at medium speed until well combined and smooth.
  3. By hand, fold in Cool Whip until well combined.
Assemble the Trifle:
  1. Cut cake into 1-inch cubes.
  2. In a trifle bowl or other glass bowl, arrange 1/2 the cake cubes into a layer. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons caramel topping.
  3. Spread half the creamy filling evenly on top of the cake cubes layer. Drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel topping.
  4. Repeat the layers with remaining cake cubes, creamy filling, and caramel topping.
  5. Sprinkle the top with chopped pecans.
  6. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
  1. You'll need to purchase 2 (15 oz.) cans of 100% pure pumpkin for this recipe, and will have a little left over from one of the cans. One full can is used for the creamy filling, and part of the other can is used to make the pumpkin cake part of the trifle.
  2. Top individual servings with a dollop of Cool Whip, if you'd like.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @kitchenplaygrnd on instagram and hashtag it #thekitchenismyplaygroundblog


Pumpkin Caramel Trifle ~ Cubes of tender pumpkin cake layered with creamy pumpkin filling and drizzled with caramel create this perfect-for-fall Pumpkin Caramel Trifle. It's one amazingly tasty and beautiful pumpkin dessert, for sure!  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


Affiliate links are included in this post. As an Amazon.com associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This post is linked with Weekend Potluck.

15 comments

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my goodness me, this is a beautiful looking dessert what a fabulous idea for this festive season. #FullPlateThursday

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks luscious! Thanks for sharing at the Lazy Gastronome's What's for Dinner party! Have great week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You just continue to turn out these amazing desserts and it's another week where I'm featuring you when my party opens!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looks so yummy. I am going to make it for the holidays. I am happy to feature this lovely dessert at Love Your Creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is a beautiful dessert!! And it sounds so good! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner Party! Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a stunning Autumn dessert. Trifles are always so beautiful on the tablescape and this one steals the show.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, we love hearing that our readers enjoy the recipes.

      Delete
    2. Tammy we are glad that you like the trifles. It is one of our favorites and we hope it will be one of your favorites.

      Delete
  11. Tracey, here in Australia we serve pumpkin as a savoury vegetable and not as a dessert, but I am absolutely enticed by all of the sweet pumpkin recipes. This one looks amazing... and I love trifle ;)
    Thank you for sharing this recipe at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring it at the party this week and pinning too.
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kerryanne, thank you for the feature. Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient for us.

      Delete

I love your comments ~ I read and appreciate each and every one. When you choose to leave a comment, we collect and display your name, as provided by you. Clicking "publish" to submit your comment indicates your explicit consent for name collection. If you click the "notify me" checkbox {which is optional}, your e-mail is also collected. Clicking the "notify me" checkbox indicates your explicit consent for e-mail collection. Thank you so much for visiting The Kitchen is My Playground!

Blog Design: Tracimichele.com. Powered by Blogger.