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A friend of mine recently asked if I could "make over" her Pumpkin Fluff Dip recipe. Her version was a big hit at her book club gathering, but she knew there had to be a better way than using highly processed Cool Whip and vanilla pudding mix (No comment! LOL).
My kids (okay and me too) could not get enough! If only I would have known about this earlier, I would have totally added it to the dessert table at our Halloween party. :)
Pumpkin Fluff Dessert Dip
After a fun afternoon of experimenting, I present to you this real food, organic, and tasty Pumpkin Fluff Dessert Dip recipe. All I have to say about this is yum. The pumpkin spice flavor pairs well with apple slices and graham crackers for a tasty treat your kids will love, especially during Halloween and the fall months.
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Servings: 8 (makes about 2.5 cups)
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Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (found in the spice aisle)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
Optional garnishes and dippers
- pumpkin pie spice (garnish)
- cinnamon (garnish)
- apples (sliced, for dipping)
- whole-wheat graham crackers (for dipping)
Instructions
- In the bowl of your mixer fitted with a whisk (or use a large mixing bowl and electric beaters), combine the heavy cream, cream cheese, syrup, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Turn the mixer to low and blend until the cream cheese is broken up and no longer in big clumps. Turn the speed up to high and blend until the mixture thickens, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Turn the speed back down to low and carefully blend in the pumpkin puree. Scrape the bowl with a spatula if necessary.
- Serve with sliced apples and whole-wheat graham crackers. If garnishing with cinnamon, try out fresh! Store leftover dip in the fridge.
Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Fluff Dessert Dip
Amount Per Serving
Calories 177
Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 56mg19%
Sodium 59mg3%
Potassium 116mg3%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 5394IU108%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 48mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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April says
My face looked about the same as that little girl's in the photo. I didn't like it. But to be fair, I don't like pumpkin.
Rose says
Any way to make this dairy free?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Rose. That is not something we've tried but you might be able to play around with Lisa's pumpkin recipe using another recipe like this: http://fitfoodiefinds.com/2014/04/creamy-strawberry-coconut-fruit-dip/. ~Amy
Christie says
Graham crackers are great, but I'm allergic to apples and pears. Any suggestions for other dippers? (My kids can eat apples. As soon as the apples touch the fluff, though, I can't eat the fluff. AND I WANT TO EAT THE FLUFF.) Thanks!
Leslie says
Put the fluff that you're going to eat in a separate serving bowl that way the kids can have the apples. I betcha it'd taste great on a bagel!
Sarah says
Hum, oh there are all kinds of options you could use besides apples. Grapes might be good. I wonder if they make whole wheat vanilla wafers? Oh pretzels, sweet salty, mmm. Or cookies if your feeling indulgent, ginger snaps would be super good dipped in this. Or if you could give everybody a separate serving bowl that way the rest of the batch wouldn't get contaminated.
Angie says
This sounds great!! Where do you find whole wheat graham crackers? Or what brand? Thanks!!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Angie. You can find Mi-Del at Earth Fare or Whole Foods. :)
Melanie says
i have been following you for several months now and completely changing my cooking and it just seems so easy with your help but now I KNOW I was meant to find you because you have read my mind on this one. My kids love this dip and there is a cool whip alternative at whole foods but I didn't know what to do about the pudding mix. Thank you!!!!
Molly says
Would I use the inside of the pumpkin to make the puree, correct?
Abby says
i think she prefers canned for convenience, but I have done it before, wash, cut in half, scoop junk out, then roast in the oven 300/350 til soft, then peel off the rind or scoop out the flesh, and puree
Rebecca says
Read a post recently, can't remember where though I'm sure you can google it, that suggests putting the pumpkin in the crockpot to cook. Sounded much easier than the oven.
Alyssa says
If you're using an actual pumpkin, you use the outside (minus the rind)--sort of like squash. You don't use the stringy guts and seeds. Slice it up, roast it in the oven, and puree.
Jen says
Hi! I've tried making this recipe twice now and I'm having difficulties making it "fluffy". While it tastes great, it's almost runny and soup-like. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Jen. Are you using heavy cream?
Graceread says
Hi, I am looking for your link to halloween recipes. The link I previously found had rolls made into mummies, fingers made with mozzarella cheese and almonds for fingernails, i believe there was a taco dip with a spider web on it. Does anyone know how to find this. Thank you.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Grace. I don't think that was this website but you can google all of those items and find several recipes. This will get you started: https://www.google.com/search?q=taco+dip+with+spider+web&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb. ;) ~Amy
Kelly says
I think you're referring to Lisa's Halloween Pinterest page -- she's pinned all of those things: http://www.pinterest.com/Leake100Days/halloween/
Susan says
It's funny being over on the FB page where this recipe is mentioned. So many people still think fat is bad for us and are mentioning how to use low-fat products to reduce the calories. If you're new to the real food world, then keep in mind that buying low-fat versions of anything is a no-no. Low-fat products are highly processed. Always choose the whole fat version of anything. Fat is not bad for you; our brains are 65% fat!
Beverly says
I cant find any graham crackers that don't have unwanted stuff in them - even at Whole Foods. I like the idea of dipping the apples, but how can I keep them from turning brown if I have these out as a dessert for dinner guests? I could use lemon juice but that will change the flavor and probably clash with the flavor of the dip.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Beverly. You could try pineapple juice as an alternative. ~Amy
Heather Angelo says
We made this tonight and it was such a great treat! Our only struggle was that there were little clumps of cream cheese still. I would probably whip the cream cheese until smooth first then add the remaining ingredients to form the whip. This tasted like fall heaven with honey crips apples!
alyssa says
I'm also wondering what brand of graham crackers and where to buy?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Here is a reply from Lisa to an earlier question: I’ve purchased both Mi-Del (100% whole-wheat) and Annie’s (some whole-wheat). I have to admit I prefer the Annie’s, and we usually consider graham crackers a “treat†anyway so that’s what I bought last time. You can also make your own.
Caitlin says
I would also like to know where you buy whole wheat graham crackers. What brand are they?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Here is a reply from Lisa to an earlier question: I’ve purchased both Mi-Del (100% whole-wheat) and Annie’s (some whole-wheat). I have to admit I prefer the Annie’s, and we usually consider graham crackers a “treat†anyway so that’s what I bought last time. You can also make your own.
Jennifer says
Where so you find the whole wheat graham crackers?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Here is a reply from Lisa to an earlier question: I’ve purchased both Mi-Del (100% whole-wheat) and Annie’s (some whole-wheat). I have to admit I prefer the Annie’s, and we usually consider graham crackers a “treat†anyway so that’s what I bought last time. You can also make your own.
Jen says
I would try this using all organic ingredients and maybe try coconut milk whipped cream instead of the calorie laden whipping cream
Nina says
I made the original recipe using all organic products, including grass fed heavy whipping cream making my own whipped cream. This recipe is nothing similar as there's no vanilla flavoring; also, I prefer the fluffier whipped cream over cream cheese. I'll stick to my version of re-made, though I appreciate anyone's effort to make a healthier recipe.
Korine says
Where do you find organic vanilla pudding that doesn't have processed added sugar?? Or do you make your own vanilla pudding without the junk?
You didn't feel that the vanilla extract in this recipe counts as vanilla flavoring? If that's the experience you had making it, I might add a bit more when I try it.
Audrey says
Would this work as a spread on a sandwich? I am wondering if it is as thick as a whipped cream cheese.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Audrey. The texture is lighter than cream cheese. It would be good on a waffle sandwich. :) ~Amy
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Tori. It is hard to find cream cheese and heavy whipping cream without additives. Nancy's is a good brand as is Whole Foods 365. ~Amy
tori says
What cream cheese and heavy whipping creams do you use? Thanks!
Krystal says
Just made some pumpkin carrot buckwheat muffins and had leftover pumpkin purée so I decided to try this. I only had a little more than half a cup purée but I made the rest of the recipe as written. I used it to "frost" the muffins. So yummy, like healthy cupcakes.
Laura says
Since the Real Food challenge indicates no sugar, which graham crackers do you buy? Even the organic ones I currently use have evaporated cane juice as an ingredient.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Laura. Mi-del, which Lisa sometimes buys, is a brand that is 100% whole-wheat and is sweetened with honey and molasses. It might be difficult to find a store bought graham that follows all the challenge rules. ~Amy
jennifer says
Has anyone tried leaving out the cream cheese? I can't eat it as I am dairy free! Sounds good but wondered if it would be lacking without cream cheese.
Tricia says
I had a NUTRITIONIST send me the recipe with Cool Whip and vanilla pudding!! Thank you for the makeover--can't wait to try this!
Carrie says
Yum! I just whipped this up in the kitchen for dessert this evening. I found a recipe for making pumpkin pie spice since it wasn't on hand so if you don't have any just google it. Even not using organic this seems to be better to me than the processed whipped topping. I will try anything that lets me use pumpkin!! I may make up a batch to take my family's Christmas dinner.
Jeanie says
Did anyone else find this lacking in the sweetness/dessert department? I think it's awesome that everyone is eating healthy and, yes, I get that that's the whole point with this blog, but I guess I'd expected something called dessert dip that's a pumpkin fluff knock off to be a sweet dip. This was NOT sweet. In order to make my kids happy, I had to add another 3/4 cup sugar. (Honestly, they would have eaten plain fruit happily enough, but they weren't willing to dip that fruit in a dip that was neither sweet, nor exactly savory.) I know, everyone is gasping in shock at my awfulness, but without the sugar it tasted like a cream cheese dip with pumpkin in it--so a squashy cream cheese dip. Not a hit at my house without more sugar (or maple syrup for a whole food version). However, once I added the sugar, everyone liked it and we also ate it on French toast to very good effect--definitely a better alternative than plain syrup.
Lynn says
I mostly followed the recipe but added an extra tablespoon of maple syrup (3 total) and then used only a half cup of the pumpkin. I also mixed cream cheese, syrup and spices together first before adding cream. That tasted more like the traditional sweet fluff we were used to.
Janine says
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit. I doubled the recipe since there were so many people! Thanks for this wonderful recipe. I plan to make it again for some holiday gatherings in December.
Rebecca says
We're having Thanksgiving dinner today (Friday) for my husband's side of the family and I made this to dip apples and crackers into. Of course, being the "cook" I sampled it. I made it WITHOUT maple syrup due to many of his family members having diabetes and it tastes great even without the maple syrup! My husband who is a hard person to please on health food LOVED it! Thank you for sharing.
Jenny says
I brought this to our family thanksgiving. Thank you for this recipe! My family has always been skeptical of our conversion to real food, they never think it will taste good. We'll, this recipe was a big hit! Everybody loved it, and it gave me several opportunities to talk about unprocessed food in a positive way. :)
Charlene says
Thanks for this! I made it with some leftover canned pumpkin this evening. My 3-year-old helped and she said it was "yummy to her tummy". Love your recipes!
Sara says
I have a recipe for pumpkin whoopie pies, would this be strong enough to be a filling for them? Also, would it be too much pumpkin for one recipe?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Sara. I think it would work fine. Regarding the "too much pumpkin", I guess it depends on how much you like pumpkin. I love it. ;) ~Amy
Ruth says
Has anyone frozen this yet & tried it like an unbaked cheesecake? Sound yummy!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Ruth. I bet that would work! ~Amy
Jessica says
Dumb question! Pumpkin puree- do you make it yourself from an actual pumpkin, or is this something you buy canned? I know there is much controversy over canned items these days. Thanks!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Jessica. We buy organic canned pumpkin puree. You can usually find it at conventional grocery stores. ~Amy
Tuesday's child says
Made a double batch for a party hoping to have leftovers on hand for a quick treat. Found out it was good for that, and as a basis for a smoothie when you add a banana and ice. Thanks for this recipe!
BrianaF says
YUM! Made this tonight and it was a hit. We just had it with apples and it was great. Will definitely be making this for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the delicious recipe.
Jennifer says
I am looking for a graham cracker recipe, any suggestions? I found 1 so fat that would fall into the catagory of "whole foods" except I am unsure about the molasses. What do you think would be a good alternative or is it considered a whole food too? It is organic and GMO free.
Kristin says
I have been making my own for years. I even make them for s'mores when we go camping in the summer or when I need a graham cracker pie crust. The recipe is from my Better Homes and Gardens Baking Book.
http://homecooking.about.com/od/cookierecipes/r/blcookie70.htm
To make them healthier, use sustainable palm shortening, organic brown sugar and substitute white whole wheat flour for the AP flour. Also, Bob’s Red Mill makes graham flour.
It is fun to cut them out with cookie cutters!
Jennifer says
My recipe calls for coconut oil. I am more concerned with molasses being a "whole real food" since it is sugar cane juice that has been processed many times to get the end product.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Jennifer. You could use honey or maple syrup in place of the molasses. :) ~Amy
Jennifer says
well, we made them with honey and they do not taste anything like graham crackers :(
Cat Bond says
Does anyone know if this can be frozen? it makes a lot of "fluff" , lol, and don't know if we can eat this much. I want to make for Thanksgiving and maybe considering freezing half so it's ready to go next week. thanks!!!! i may just freeze it and see what happens.
Jen says
I freeze almost everything and have never had a problem. I would say this would freeze just fine.
Annette says
I made this for a Girls' Night on Saturday...YUM! Everyone was familiar with the "other" version, and liked this one even more!
Natasha says
I made the pumpkin fluff and your graham crackers for my husbands Thanksgiving feast at work. They were both delicious and a big hit!
Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Shari says
I made this for my family tonight for dessert. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. (Except my son who said it tastes too much like pumpkin pie which he doesn't like:( ). It did. Make quite a bit. Howl long will it keep in the refrigerator? Or any suggestions with what I could do with the leftover dip in another recipe?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Shari. Since this was a new creation for Lisa, we've not experimented with it much. One reader suggested using it as a pie filling and freezing it? ~Amy
Adrienne says
I made this last night for my daughter to take to her HS dance team sleepover. I paired it with the last of the apples from our trees. It was a hit! I love that when we are assigned sweets for our contrubution, I can send something they will enjoy and not compromise our food values. Thank you so much for all you do. Our family started our whole food journey a year ago because of your blog. Your knowledge has been such a gift in our journey.