Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie is a no-bake marvel perfect for fall and holiday seasons. Picture velvety vanilla ice cream blended with pure pumpkin, warm spices, and brown sugar, poured into a buttery cookie crust, then frozen until firm. It’s decorated with a cinnamon-chocolate drizzle or crushed cookie crumble and served chilled.
This dessert delivers all the cozy flavors of pumpkin pie in a refreshingly cool format—and best of all, it takes mere minutes to make and can be frozen in advance for stress‑free entertaining. breyers.com+9Carlsbad Cravings+9Pinterest+9
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
- Simple to prepare—just mix filling, press crust, and freeze. No ovens, no blind‑baking, no fussy prep. Carlsbad Cravings
- Perfect for make‑ahead—freeze weeks ahead and pull out when you’re ready. Carlsbad Cravings
- Crowd‑pleaser—warm spices and creamy texture satisfy even non-pumpkin pie fans (my husband included). en.wikipedia.org+15Carlsbad Cravings+15bonappetit.com+15
- Customizable crust and toppings—try graham crackers, gingersnaps, chocolate drizzle, or pecans. Carlsbad Cravingssuebeehomemaker.com
What You Need: Ingredients Overview
| Component | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Crust | Graham cracker crumbs (or crushed cookies), sugar, melted butter |
| Filling | Vanilla ice cream (softened), pure pumpkin puree, brown sugar, spices |
| Toppings | Reserved crust crumbs, chopped pecans, cinnamon-chocolate drizzle |
The Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie combines pantry-friendly staples into layers of flavor and texture that feel indulgent yet approachable.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Crust
Combine crushed graham crackers or cookies with sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture evenly into a pie plate or springform pan. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then let cool completely. lovelylittlekitchen.com+11suebeehomemaker.com+11Carlsbad Cravings+11
2. Prepare the Filling
Slightly soften the ice cream at room temperature—or in short microwave bursts—to a spreadable consistency. Mix it thoroughly with pumpkin puree, brown sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves). Averie Cookswhiteapronblog.com
3. Assemble & Freeze
Pour the filling into the chilled crust and smooth the top. Sprinkle reserved crumbs or pecans on top, if desired. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight until solid. suebeehomemaker.comwhiteapronblog.com
4. Serve
Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before slicing to ease serving. Garnish with whipped cream, additional drizzle, or more crust crumble as desired. suebeehomemaker.comPinterest
Pro Tips for the Best Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
- Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control sweetness and consistency. suebeehomemaker.com+2Averie Cooks+2
- Choose a quality vanilla ice cream for the best creamy texture. Carlsbad Cravings
- Freeze level matters—make sure your pie is fully frozen before slicing so it holds its shape. Carlsbad Cravingssuebeehomemaker.com
- Let slices soften briefly at room temp before serving to avoid icy texture. suebeehomemaker.comwhiteapronblog.com
Flavor Variations & Creative Twists
- Chocolate-Almond Bark & Toffee Drizzle: Add a decadent twist by topping with homemade toffee sauce and chocolate-almond shards. epicurious.com
- Gingersnap Crust: Swap out graham crackers for spiced gingersnap crumbs for a bolder fall flavor. whiteapronblog.com
- Pumpkin Cream Pie Version: Layer with creamy whipped topping and pumpkin mousse for added richness. Carlsbad Cravings+1
What to Serve With It
- Whipped cream with a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon
- A dusting of chocolate or caramel sauce
- A side of fresh fruit like sliced pears or apple cider donuts
- Great with coffee, chai tea latte, or spiked eggnog—but also stellar on its own
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
- Make in advance—pie can be fully assembled and frozen weeks beforehand. Carlsbad Cravings
- Storage—keep wrapped tightly in freezer for up to 2 months.
- Serving prep—remove from freezer 10–15 mins before slicing to prevent cracking or overly icy bites.
FAQs
Can this dessert be made gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free cookie crust—like gluten-free graham or gingersnap crumbs—and confirm ice cream and pumpkin puree are gluten-free certified. Averie Cooks
Can I use flavored ice cream instead of vanilla?
Yes. Flavors like butter pecan or caramel swirl work beautifully, adding complexity to the pumpkin spice. Averie Cooks
What if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
No problem: soften store-bought ice cream and mix directly with pumpkin and spices. No churn needed. Averie Cookssuebeehomemaker.com
Nutritional Snapshot (per slice)
- Approx. 420–450 calories
- Moderate fat and carbs, with cozy pumpkin spice flavor
- Lower sugar than traditional pies when controlled through ice cream brand and toppings
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie gives you the best of both worlds: rich, cozy pumpkin pie flavors with the cool, smooth joy of ice cream. It’s easy, freezing‑friendly, and impresses without stress. Whether you’re serving it on Thanksgiving, hosting friends, or simply craving a seasonal indulgence, this dessert brings delight to every slice.
Bake-free, faithful dessert lovers, you’ve just found your new favorite holiday showstopper.