Pumpkin Layered Dessert

Jessica over at Life as Mom is having a pumpkin-themed recipe exchange and I thought I would post this favorite dessert recipe. It's originally from a Gooseberry Patch cookbook and is soooo yummy! OK, it's definitely not health food . . . it does contain Cool Whip . . . but it's only a once-a-year indulgence. ;) Wish I had a picture of it, but alas, I haven't made any since last Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll be able to add a picture sometime after this Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Layered Dessert

Crust: 1 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1/2 c. softened butter or margarine
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

2nd Layer: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
Half of a 12-oz. tub of Cool Whip

3rd Layer: 16 oz. can pumpkin
2 small pkg. vanilla instant pudding
1 c. half & half
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ginger
1/4 t. cloves

Mix together crust ingredients and pat into a 13x9" pan. Bake at 350º about 15 minutes, until golden. Let cool.

For 2nd layer, beat cream cheese and sugar well. Stir in Cool Whip, spread on crust.

For 3rd layer, beat all together and spread over cheese layer. Chill at least 1 hour.

To top it off, you can do one of two things: Either serve each piece topped with a dollop of Cool Whip and a sprinkle of chopped nuts, or, to make it simpler, top the whole pan of dessert with a layer of Cool Whip and sprinkle with chopped nuts. (That's what I usually do.) Yum Yum!!