Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. This step is essential to ensure that your crust bakes evenly and achieves that perfect golden color. While it heats up, you can prepare your baking dish. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Form the crust by adding the pecans to a food processor. Pulse a couple of times until they are roughly chopped. Remember to reserve about 1/4 cup of the chopped pecans for later, as they will serve as a beautiful topping. Next, add the remaining crust ingredients—granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and all-purpose flour—to the processor. Pulse a few times until everything is combined into a crumbly mixture.
Press the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish evenly, ensuring it covers the bottom well. This will create a solid foundation for your dessert. Bake it in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. The crust should look golden and smell heavenly!
Let it cool completely before proceeding to the next step. This is crucial as it allows the crust to firm up and makes it easier to layer your creamy filling without it melting into the warm crust.
Prepare the filling by combining the cream cheese, icing sugar, and cool whip in a mixing bowl. Beat them together until you achieve a smooth and creamy texture. It should be light and fluffy, amplifying the delightful flavors.
Layer the pumpkin filling by first whisking together the instant vanilla pudding, milk, and canned pumpkin. Be sure to mix well until everything is combined. Then, fold this mixture into your cream cheese mixture until well blended.
Spread the pumpkin filling evenly over the cooled crust. This layer will add the signature pumpkin flavor to your Pumpkin Delight. Smooth it out with a spatula to make it look beautiful.
Top your dessert with the reserved chopped pecans and an additional layer of cool whip. This final touch adds texture and makes it visually appealing. Feel free to sprinkle some extra pumpkin pie spice on top for an aromatic finish.
Refrigerate the dessert for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight, to let all the flavors meld together and the filling set up properly.
Slice and serve your Pumpkin Delight chilled. Enjoy the smiles it brings as everyone takes that first bite!
