Pumpkin Chocolate Icebox Cake

When I saw this Pumpkin Chocolate Icebox Cake recipe in the November issue of Sunset magazine I knew I had to try it. It is a very easy, no bake recipe, which makes a delicious, fall dessert. It’s pretty from the top and even prettier when you cut a slice! I tried it last weekend and it was a hit. Perhaps this will be a new tradition for our Thanksgiving table!

Pumpkin Chocolate Icebox Cake

Serves 12 (depending on the size piece!)

Ingredients:

3 packages (8oz@) of cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
2 tablespoons half-and-half
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
28 chocolate graham cracker sheets (12 oz. total)
Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions:

Beat cream cheese and sugars in a bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Then beat in pumpkin, half-and-half, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Lay enough graham crackers in a 9- by 9-in. pan to cover bottom (cut to fit if necessary). Spread a quarter of pumpkin mixture over crackers with an offset spatula. Layer 3 more times, ending with pumpkin mixture. Cover; chill overnight. Set leaf cutouts (trace them on paper) on top and dust with cocoa, then remove. Cut cake into squares.