GRAVEYARD PUMPKIN MOUSSE

 GRAVEYARD PUMPKIN MOUSSE

Put a seasonal twist on the boring dirt dessert, and give your guests a

seasonal looking and tasty treat with this pumpkin mousse, topped with

crushed chocolate cookie crumbles.

12 chocolate sandwich cookies

1 cup heavy cream

1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

3 medium bananas, cut into 1/4" thick slices

Long gummy worms and clean plastic skeletons or spiders, for garnish

Preparation Time: Approximately 15 minutes

Preparation: Process the cookies in a food processor bowl fitted with a

steel blade to make fine crumbs; set aside. Beat the cream in a mixing

bowl to form firm peaks; set aside. Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a

separate bowl until creamy. Add the pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice; mix

well. Fold in the whipped cream and bananas until blended to finish the

mousse.

Spoon 3/4 cup pumpkin mousse into each of 8 stemmed dessert glasses or

large custard cups; spread top evenly. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cookie

crumbs over the top. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. To

garnish, arrange gummy worms and skeletons on "dirt" layer, arranging

gummy worms to resemble worms crawling out of the glass.

Tip: If a food processor is not available, place the cookies in a

resealable plastic bag. Close securely; crush with a rolling pin or meat

mallet to make fine crumbs.