Introducing a delectable creation that’s hailed as “Better Than Pumpkin Pie” – a heavenly concoction discovered through a local newspaper recipe contest, now gracing your kitchen with its blue-ribbon charm! Crafted by the culinary prowess of Debbie Grandits, this dessert is an ode to autumn’s bounty and the irresistible allure of pumpkin delights. 🎃
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 50 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 can solid pack pumpkin
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 cup butter
- 1 box dry cake mix
- Nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
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Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Grease or line a 12 x 9 inch baking pan, ensuring it’s ready for the luscious mixture to come.
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Mix the Pumpkin Base:
- In a mixer, combine the solid pack pumpkin, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, evaporated milk, and the aromatic blend of ground cinnamon and allspice.
- Mix these divine ingredients until they form a harmonious union, ensuring no lumps remain.
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Layer and Sprinkle:
- Pour the velvety pumpkin mixture into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly to embrace every corner with its autumnal essence.
- Now, sprinkle the dry cake mix generously over the pumpkin layer, ensuring a blanket of sweetness covers the surface. Gently pat it down to create a cozy bed for the flavors to meld.
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Buttery Drizzle:
- Melt the butter until it transforms into a golden elixir of richness.
- Drizzle this liquid gold over the crown of your dessert creation, allowing it to cascade in tantalizing rivulets over the cake mix layer, promising decadence in every bite.
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Nutty Finale (Optional):
- For an added touch of texture and indulgence, scatter nuts of your choice over the buttery expanse. Whether it’s walnuts, pecans, or almonds, let your taste buds guide this final flourish.
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Bake to Perfection:
- Slide your masterpiece into the preheated oven, where alchemy will work its magic.
- Allow it to bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the top takes on a delicate golden hue, and the edges gently pull away from the pan. This signals that your creation is set and ready to enchant palates.
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Cooling and Anticipation:
- Once baked to perfection, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack, where it can gracefully cool its heels and settle into its irresistible allure.
- As the tantalizing aroma wafts through your kitchen, exercise patience as you eagerly await the moment to savor each delectable slice.
Indulge in the divine decadence of “Better Than Pumpkin Pie,” a dessert that transcends the ordinary and earns its place as a cherished centerpiece for gatherings, potlucks, or simply as a sweet retreat on a cozy weeknight. With its irresistible blend of flavors and textures, it’s sure to become a perennial favorite, sparking requests for the recipe just as Debbie Grandits’ creation did. So, gather your ingredients, let your oven work its magic, and prepare to be transported to a realm where every bite is a symphony of autumnal bliss. 🥧✨
