Pumpkin Charlotte
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Pumpkin charlotte is a creamy, no-bake dessert that’s perfect for entertaining. It looks fancy, but is so easy to put together!
It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I love pumpkin and think pumpkin pie should be a year-round dessert. I even insisted on pumpkin pie for the baby shower my coworkers threw for my first baby. Unsurpisingly, that child now loves pumpkin pie as well.
Sometimes, though, I get tired of making pumpkin pie. Making the crust, rolling it out, making the filling, trying to not spill the filling all over the counter as I pour it in, and then trying to not spill it out of the pie pan as I put it in the oven… My general lack of depth perception and clumsiness often results in kitchen disaster, let’s just say.
I’ve turned to other pumpkin treats in the past, like this chocolate pumpkin bundt cake and the unexpected pumpkin persimmon walnut bread, but I wanted something that still really boasted the flavor of pumpkin.
I came across this recipe for pumpkin charlotte and I knew it would be a hit at my house. Crispy ladyfinger cookies form the crust and sides, and the filling only requires the use of a mixer. Done and done.
I love how the ladyfingers make this dessert look fancy, but it’s really just a pudding-based dessert. That means you get both your stellar hosting points, and your yummy dessert points.
The original recipe calls for cream cheese, but I swapped in ricotta cheese. While it doesn’t make the bottom layer quite as firm, it does reduce the calories a bit as well as makes the overall dessert even more light and fluffy.
You can use cream cheese, if you prefer — it will need to be at room temperature before mixing, so it can be completely smooth and creamy.
You will want to make sure the pumpkin charlotte is completely set and firm before serving, or it will be difficult to slice. It loses some of its structure on the plate, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious!
My kids gobbled up this pumpkin charlotte and actually licked their plates. You can’t go wrong!
Pumpkin Charlotte
Ingredients
- 2 packages ladyfinger cookies
- 6 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 3.4- ounce packages instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1 15- ounce can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with ladyfingers. Trim the bottoms of 20 ladyfingers and arrange vertically around the inside of the pan, with the cut end down so ladyfingers stand. Use cut pieces to fill in gaps in bottom crust. (You may need to cut more for the edges, or have extra cookies left over.)
- In a large bowl, beat together ricotta cheese and granulated sugar until combined. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat 1 3/4 cups whipping cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside 1/2 cup of whipped cream and fold remaining whipped cream into the cheese mixture.
- In another bowl, beat together pudding mix, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, grated nutmeg, pumpkin, and milk. Fold in reserved ½ cup whipped cream.
- Spread cheese mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Spread pumpkin mixture over the cheese mixture, doing so carefully as to preserve the layers. Cover and freeze for 4 hours or refrigerate overnight.
- To serve, beat remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream to soft peaks, and dollop into the center of the charlotte. Sprinkle with grated nutmeg.
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Can you freeze this several days?
@Sharon Yes, you can freeze it for a few days! Just wrap it really well to prevent any freezer burn.
If I choose to use cream cheese instead of ricotta, how much cream cheese do I use?
@Sonja You’ll want to use the same amount, 6 ounces. You can use 8 ounces if you don’t want to have any cream cheese left over, just know it will make the base a tiny bit firmer and more cheese-y 🙂 Make sure to let it soften before using!