Pumpkin Dip Recipe

Active Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Servings:

12

Yield:

3 cups

Whip up this easy pumpkin dip in just five minutes with a few easy-to-find and affordable ingredients (most of which you probably already have at home). Think of it like a pumpkin pie in dip form—but much easier to make, as well as fun and interactive to serve.

The sweet, creamy treat is ideal for a potluck, Halloween party, or other fall gathering, served alongside any sweet and salty accompaniments you like. Think: pretzels, fruits, nuts, and graham crackers. Have any leftovers? They’re dreamy over ice cream or dolloped over the top of cinnamon cake.

Pumpkin Dip Ingredients

To make this easy pumpkin dip, you'll need:

A can of pumpkin (such as Libby’s): This is the base of the dip. Make sure you get pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
Cream cheese: This adds creaminess and richness to the dip.
Powdered sugar: For sweetness and thickness.
Pumpkin pie spice: Use this pre-mixed spice for fast measuring, or make your own.
Cinnamon: Adds a bit more of the spicy, warm flavor we love in the fall.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla elevates the flavors of the entire dish.

ingredients for pumpkin dip — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

How To Make Pumpkin Dip

This no-cook dip recipe isn't complicated. In fact, it's ready in less than an hour before your party. The full recipe is below, but here's a brief outline:

Step 1. Combine pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth.
Step 2. Transfer the dip to a serving dish, cover, and chill for 30 minutes.

To avoid small pieces of cream cheese in the final product, be sure the cream cheese is fully softened before using it in this recipe.

How To Serve Pumpkin Dip

Pumpkin dip makes a tasty, lively, no-hassle party dish. Get creative! Serve it with sweet or salty accompaniments like graham crackers, gingersnaps, piecrust crackers, pretzel sticks, sliced apples, berries, or pecans.

You could also turn this into a parfait with the pumpkin mixture sandwiched in between layers of cake, graham crackers, gingersnaps, or whatever other confection you come up with. Serve your custom layered creation with whipped cream on top.

Can I Make Pumpkin Dip Ahead?

Yes, you can prepare this dip in advance of your fall dinner party or gathering. One day ahead, process the pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and vanilla in a food processor until smooth. Then transfer the dip to a serving dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it overnight. Let it stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

What Does Pumpkin Dip Taste Like?

This whipped dip is creamy yet light at the same time, sweet without being overwhelming. The pumpkin and cream cheese give the dip a similar flavor to a pumpkin cheesecake with a tangy note at the end. The spice mix adds all the familiar warm fall flavors while complementing the vegetal flavor of the puree.

More Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

If you're looking for sweets to serve during fall, consider these next:

Additional reporting by Alesandra Dubin.

pumpkin dip on tray with cookies and apples — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Ingredients

1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin (such as Libby’s)
12 oz. cream cheese (from 2 [8-oz.] pkg.), softened
1 cup (about 3 1/4 oz.) sifted powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Graham crackers, gingersnaps, piecrust cutouts, pretzel sticks, sliced apples, berries, or pecans, for serving

Directions

Add ingredients to food processor:

Combine pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and vanilla in a food processor.

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Process:

Process until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Chill:

Transfer to a serving dish; cover and chill 30 minutes.

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Serve:

Serve with an assortment of graham crackers, gingersnaps, piecrust cutouts, pretzel sticks, sliced apples, berries, or pecans.

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless