If you’ve ever had an opportunity to try it yourself, then you know what I mean when I say that pumpkin fluff is one of those desserts you can never forget.
The only thing better than pumpkin fluff is having your grandma or mom bake you this delicacy.
Pumpkin fluff is not just any kind of pudding but rather a fluffy and rich dessert made out of pumpkin puree, egg white, coconut milk, and vanilla extract.
It has become popular because of its sweet taste, smooth texture, and unique flavors.
If you love eating something with a little bit of crunch from nuts, raisins, and dried cranberries, then this recipe will be right up your alley!
What Is Pumpkin Fluff?
Pumpkin fluff is a traditional American fall dessert.
This dish originated as a way to use leftover cooked pumpkin seeds (seeds) from Thanksgiving dinner.
But since the holiday season has passed, most people have already eaten their fill of pumpkin seeds so they end up throwing them away.
That’s why we decided to make a new version of this classic dish using other ingredients like eggs and cream instead.
It’s important to note that there are two different kinds of pumpkin fluff recipes.
One uses canned pumpkin while the other makes homemade pumpkin fluff.
In our case, we used fresh pumpkin puree which was the best option available to us since we wanted to avoid excess waste.
The great thing about this dessert is that you don’t need much effort to make it.
All you need is some time and patience for the process to go through.
You can also prepare it ahead of time if you want to save on baking time later.
Another key ingredient in making pumpkin fluff is coconut milk.
When preparing this recipe, make sure to buy full fat coconut milk so you get the maximum amount of nutrients and flavor.
Full fat versions contain more saturated fats, but they give off more nutritional benefits compared to skimmed versions.
They also tend to be richer in calories per serving.
Buttermilk is another ingredient essential to making pumpkin fluff.
This dairy product contains both whey protein and lactic acid bacteria which help boost health benefits.
The presence of these components makes this drink very healthy to consume.
While the original pumpkin fluff recipe calls for 1 cup of whole raw almonds as a garnish, you can skip this step since they can cause digestive problems for some people.
Instead, you can add chopped walnuts, pecans, or even sunflower seeds depending on your preference.
Here’s how to make this yummy dessert at home:
- Combine all of the wet ingredients together into a large mixing bowl until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients slowly into the mix and combine thoroughly.
- Once everything is mixed well, pour the mixture into muffin tins lined with paper liners.
- Bake the pumpkin fluff at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 35 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.
- Allow the pumpkin fluff to cool completely before removing from tin tray and enjoy immediately.
What Are The Ingredients In Pumpkin Fluff?
The ingredients in pumpkin fluff include:
- 1 cup canned unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 4 large eggs (separated)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8th teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/3rd cup dark chocolate chips
How Do You Make Pumpkin Fluff?
The best part about making this dish is how simple it is.
You don’t need any special equipment to cook this tasty treat.
All you have to do is place all the ingredients into a bowl, beat them together until they form soft peaks (about 3 minutes), and pour it on top of some fresh whipped cream.
That’s really all there is to it!
This recipe makes six servings, so if you want more, double it up.
Just keep in mind that it takes longer for things to cool down after doubling the amount of liquid in the mixture.
So you might want to adjust cooking time accordingly depending on whether you doubled the recipe or not.
So now let me show you exactly how to make it step by step.
- First off, add the sugar and salt to a small mixing bowl and stir well.
- Then melt butter over medium heat in a saucepan, stirring constantly, until melted completely.
- Next, whisk eggs in another small bowl until combined thoroughly.
- In a separate large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and cinnamon stick.
- Once everything is mixed well, slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the mixing bowl containing the eggs while continuing to whisk vigorously.
- Now, pour half of the mixture back into the pan where you made the first batch of milk mixture and continue beating well.
- Stir continuously as you repeat the process again.
- After pouring the second portion of the mixture into the pan, mix everything together well.
- At last, transfer the contents of the pan onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread evenly across the surface.
- Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and allow the dessert to set aside overnight at room temperature before serving.
What Does Pumpkin Fluff Taste Like?
The most important part about making pumpkin fluff is the taste.
Pumpkin fluff tastes very similar to chocolate mousse with a slight difference in sweetness and creaminess.
You can definitely taste the pumpkin flavor in every bite, which makes it more interesting and enjoyable to eat.
However, if you want that extra kick of sweetness, feel free to add some sugar after cooking.
As you may have guessed by now, pumpkin fluff also has a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg as well.
But overall, the taste of pumpkin fluff is so good, you won’t even notice these ingredients at all! Pumpkin fluff is a great way to use leftover pumpkin pie filling (if you don’t mind throwing away half).
You can find many different ways to prepare pumpkin fluff depending on how much time you have.
There are two methods of preparing this dessert – stovetop and oven method.
Both work perfectly fine, although we recommend using the stovetop method since it’s faster and easier to clean up the kitchen afterwards.
Is Pumpkin Fluff Healthy?
Yes, pumpkin fluff is totally nutritious and is a great choice if you want to eat healthier during the holiday season.
Pumpkin fluff contains vitamin A, which helps maintain good vision in our eyes as well as protect us against damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
Vitamin A also stimulates bone growth and prevents tooth decay.
In addition, pumpkin fluff is high in fiber, so it keeps you full throughout the day.
The main source of calories comes from sugar, which makes pumpkin fluff a treat for people who are watching their weight.
However, a serving of pumpkin fluff provides fewer than 100 calories, so you won’t feel too guilty about indulging in this scrumptious dessert.
How Long Does Pumpkin Fluff Last?
This type of pudding is best served in the fridge but it also keeps well at room temperature for several days.
You can either eat it straight away or let it cool down completely before storing it in the refrigerator.
It also freezes really well so if you want to make more than enough, simply store leftovers in freezer bags.
The texture of pumpkin fluff changes as time goes on.
When fresh, it is very soft and moist and almost like custard.
As soon as you put it into the fridge, however, the fat solidifies and makes it harder to scoop.
After two weeks in the fridge, it becomes firmer and drier.
Pumpkin fluff tends to get even creamier after 2 months and stays good for about 6 months.
Tips for making pumpkin fluff
- You need to use canned pumpkin puree instead of cooking your own.
- Make sure you don’t add too much sugar to keep the consistency light and airy while still being rich and flavorful.
- Don’t worry about adding eggs because they are already present in the ingredients list.
- Do not overmix your fluff – leave some lumps intact to give it a nice chunky look
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Fluff?
It depends on how much liquid the pumpkin fluff contains since freezing liquids in general has its own challenges.
You should always make sure to read the product information before freezing anything so you won’t end up with ice crystals in your food.
However, if you want to save time, you might want to opt for canned pumpkin instead of making homemade.
You could also freeze pumpkin fluff by using the microwave method described below.
Just remember to place the container inside another container filled with hot water (or boiling water) first.
- Ingredients: 1 cup of canned pumpkin purée, 2/3 cups of full fat coconut milk, 2 large eggs, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ⅔ cup of chopped walnuts, ⅓ cup of golden raisins, and ½ cup of mini marshmallows.
- Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit while whisking together all ingredients until they have reached room temperature.
- Remove mixture from heat after you’re done mixing it together.
- Allow it to cool down completely.
- Then pour it into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
- Place the pan inside a larger baking dish containing warm water.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes to an hour.
What Are Some Other Recipes Like Pumpkin Fluff?
The first time I tried making this was back in college during my senior year where we were given the assignment of creating our own recipes.
After looking through all the recipes available online, I came across this one which looked interesting enough so I decided to give it a shot.
This dish has been around since the early 1900s and according to the book called “Cooking With Flour by Cookbook Author Elizabeth Schneider,” it was originally created as a way to make pancakes without eggs.
Since then, many variations have come about such as adding different ingredients into the mix to create new dishes.
There are also other types of fluff puddings which include chocolate fluff pudding and banana fluff pudding.
However, there is no comparison between these two and the original pumpkin fluff pudding recipe.
You may have already heard of another type of pudding known as cheesecake pudding.
Well, this is also a type of fluff pudding although it doesn’t contain anything like pumpkin puree.
Cheesecake pudding is actually a variation of a traditional English pudding called cheese cake.
Both recipes consist of flour, sugar, butter, milk, eggs, lemon juice, and baking powder mixed together until they form a thick batter.
Then, after being baked, the mixture turns into a soft cakey substance.
Another classic American pudding is called apple pie filling which is similar to cheesecake pudding except instead of cream cheese, the main ingredient is applesauce.
You can find both recipes on most cookbooks and websites.
What Are Some Other Ways To Use Pumpkin Fluff?
You can enjoy pumpkin fluff on its own as a snack anytime throughout the day.
You can also make it into a healthy breakfast by adding in a few more ingredients such as fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, and seeds.
Another way to use it is to add it to pancakes, waffles, muffins, cakes, cookies, or even ice cream sandwiches.
Here are some additional uses for this wonderful treat:
- Add it to oatmeal or mix it with chia seeds for a quick energy boost.
- Make Pumpkin Fluff Popsicles using gelatin sheets instead of popsicle sticks.
- It’s great for baking bread too – simply cut it into slices before putting them in the oven.
- Enjoy it as a milkshake!
- Use it as a topping for ice cream sundaes.
- Make it into a pie crust.
- Put it into cake batter.
- Try it inside chocolate chip cookies.
- Mix it with almond flour and pour it onto cookie bars for extra protein.
- Use it as a frosting between layers of cupcakes.
- Combine it with nut butter to create a healthier version of peanut butter cups.
- Toss it with cinnamon sugar for a yummy baked good.
What Are Some Tips For Making Pumpkin Fluff?
You should always make sure you have all the ingredients on hand before starting to cook the pumpkin fluff.
- Chop your onions into small pieces.
- Heat up 1 cup of water in a pot over medium heat until boiling.
- Add the onion pieces to the cooking water and let them simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons flour to the onion mixture and stir well until combined.
- Let the onion mixture cool down completely so that it becomes thick enough to form a ball while stirring continuously.
- Once everything is cooled down, combine the remaining ingredients (except the eggs) together in a large mixing bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly and add them gradually to the pumpkin fluff mix.
To prevent lumps or clumping, keep adding the egg whites slowly as long as possible without letting the batter sit too much.
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 15- ounce Pumpkin puree
- 3.4- ounce vanilla pudding Instant
- 8- ounce whipped topping thawed (like Cool Whip)
- 2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1.5 cups marshmallows mini, optional
Instructions
- Add the thawed 8-ounce package of whipped topping (like Cool Whip), 15-ounces of canned pumpkin puree, and 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice to a large mixing bowl.
- Empty the dry contents of the 3.4-ounce package of Instant Vanilla Pudding into a mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
- Stir in 1-1/2 cups mini marshmallows until they are evenly distributed throughout the pumpkin fluff dip.
- Serve in a bowl alongside graham crackers, Gingersnaps, or apple slices for dipping.
- Add a dollop of whipped topping on top of the Pumpkin Fluff and sprinkle with cinnamon just before serving for a nice presentation.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.