Pumpkin Pizza

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Chopped nuts (pecans are good) optional for sprinkling on top

Cheese Layer

• 8 ounce cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 ounce package of whipped topping, divided

Sauce (Pumpkin) Layer

• 1 cup cold milk
• 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Crust

1. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla extract; mix until well blended.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
3. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture and blend well on low speed.
4. Remove and knead briefly into a smooth ball.
5. Place the dough on a pizza pan and pat out gently to the edges.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden brown on the edges.
7. Let cool before topping.

Cheese Layer

1. Unwrap cream cheese, place in microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds.
2. Mix sugar and vanilla extract into cheese.
3. Fold in about 2/3 of the whipped topping.
4. Refrigerate until ready to assemble pizza.

Sauce (Pumpkin) Layer

1. Whisk pudding into milk. Mixture will be very thick.
2. Stir in pumpkin, sugar and cinnamon.
3. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.

Assembling Pizza

1. Spread cheese layer over the prepared crust.
2. Top with the pumpkin mixture.
3. Spread the remaining 4 ounces of whipped topping on top.
4. If desired, sprinkle a few chopped nuts over the top.