(Note: this post was originally published on October 21, 2021. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
October is the time for all things pumpkin, and especially cozy, festive pumpkin desserts. With four different layers, these pumpkin trifles are a symphony of textures and flavors. The combination of sweet pumpkin, creamy chocolate yogurt, fluffy vanilla whipped cream, and chewy cookies makes for a perfect fall dessert.
Although these pumpkin cookie trifles look impressive, they're surprisingly easy to make. Each layer comes together quickly, with minimal hands-on time. Because they're simple to assemble, these pretty fall trifles work great for Halloween parties, harvest celebrations, or even Thanksgiving.
Best of all, these miniature pumpkin trifles feature healthier ingredients such as yogurt, real pumpkin, and cookies made from oats and nut butter. They're gluten-free, naturally-sweetened with maple syrup, have some satisfying protein, and can be made vegan with a couple simple swaps.
These fall trifles are made with four delicious and easy layers: cookies, a lightly-sweetened and spiced pumpkin puree, a creamy chocolate yogurt, and fluffy whipped cream or whipped coconut cream flavored with vanilla.
In order to keep these trifles on the healthier side, I've made a couple ingredient swaps. While a trifle often has a pudding or custard layer, this version uses high-protein yogurt for that same creamy feel. Both the pumpkin and yogurt layers are minimally sweetened with just a dash of maple syrup. The cookies themselves are loaded with nourishing ingredients like whole oats and peanut butter.
I'm excited to be bringing you this recipe in collaboration with Meli's Cookies. If you're a cookie fan, I think you'll also love this show-stopping Chocolate Avocado Mousse Cookie Tart and this whimsical Berry Cookie Crunch Nicecream Cake, both of which feature Meli's Cookies.
Meli's Cookies are made with whole foods like oat flour and oats, so they're a much more nourishing way to indulge in a treat. Their cookie mixes are certified gluten free, kosher, and preservative free, and the resulting cookies are surprisingly protein-rich since the directions call for adding nut butter into the dough. You can find their cookie mixes at retailers nationwide, but you can also get them online.
These pumpkin trifles are easy to customize to fit your own tastes and diet. If you're vegan, try Meli's Oatey Raisin cookie mix, which is completely plant-based. If you want a less-sweet version, feel free to omit the maple syrup from the pumpkin and/or chocolate layers. To make these miniature pumpkin trifles more indulgent, drizzle a little bit of maple syrup right over the top.
You can also easily vary the amounts or proportions of the four trifle components. As written, the recipe below will make four dessert-size trifles or six mini trifles. You could easily make a single big trifle in a large serving dish or double the recipe for a crowd.
Although these pumpkin cookie trifles are easy to assemble, there are still a few ways you can get ahead, especially if you're hosting guests. You can bake and cool the cookies, mix the pumpkin layer, and mix the chocolate layer up to two days in advance. Store the cookies in a tightly sealed container at room temperature and store the pumpkin and yogurt in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve the trifles, just whip the cream and layer the components into serving glasses.
Here's what you'll need for this pumpkin cookie trifle recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
I can't wait for you to try these adorable pumpkin cookie trifles. They're the perfect fall and Halloween dessert because they're pumpkin and chocolate, chewy and creamy, plus much better for the body than a classic trifle.
But perhaps the best part about these miniature trifles is how fun and accessible they are. They're easy to make, use mostly pantry ingredients, and don't need to look perfect. In fact, trifles are even better when they're rustic and a bit messy.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
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Disclosure: This recipe has been developed through a paid partnership with Meli's Cookies. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep The Rogue Brussel Sprout running.
These festive miniature trifles are bursting with sweet pumpkin, creamy chocolate yogurt, fluffy whipped cream, and chewy cookies. They're the perfect fall dessert and are surprisingly easy to put together.
For the Cookie Layer
For the Pumpkin Layer
For the Yogurt Layer
For the Whipped Cream Layer
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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