Pumpkin 'Dirt' Pudding

Hard to believe that the weekend is over and that it's Monday already, but what a great weekend it was!

On Saturday my parents came by Hoboken to meet the new puppy, do a little shopping and have dinner with Anthony and me. Now, my mother is quite the exceptional cook and baker. Every time I visit her at home there is - without fail - at least 3 homemade desserts on the counter for us to pick at. So, when she said that she and my dad were coming to dinner, I had to make something reallllllly good!

My Mom & Me

In addition to our love for cooking, my mom and I share a love for all things pumpkin. Pumpkin candles, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin baked goods, pumpkin shaped decorations, etc., etc. So, with her in mind, I concocted this recipe for Pumpkin Dirt Pudding... It's pretty delish and would be an adorable Thanksgiving dessert!

The pudding portion of the recipe below is based off of the one found here on Cooks.com with my own little twist. You can either make it in a large bowl to serve at once, or divide up the ingredients into cute serving bowls like I did here in these pics. The layers look really fun all done up in a martini glass!

Pumpkin 'Dirt' Pudding

INGREDIENTS

• 1 package of Oreo cookies
• 1 package of graham crackers
• 1/2 stick butter at room temperature
• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4-5 cups milk
• 2 packages instant french vanilla pudding
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• Candy pumpkins or mums for decorating (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Crush your graham crackers and Oreos in separate Ziploc bags (or separately in a food processor if you prefer) until they have a dirt-like consistency. Set aside. 
• In a mixer, cream together butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and cinnamon until well combined. 
• In a separate bowl, make pudding mix according to the directions on the box. Once the pudding has set, add it to your creamed mixture. 
• In a large, clear serving bowl, begin making layers, starting with half of your graham crackers, followed by half of the creamed mixture, followed by a layer of half the Oreos. Repeat once more, ending with the Oreos. 
• Top with your little pumpkins (or turkeys, or whatever decoration you'd like!)