Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s equal parts festive, refreshing, and downright delicious, then you’ve got to try this Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe. It’s a dreamy combination of seasonal pumpkin spices with the cool creaminess of nice cream and a burst of fresh blackberries — all wrapped in a cozy, naturally sweet crust. Trust me, I’ve made it a handful of times whenever I’m craving something sweet but not too heavy, and every time it disappears fast!
Why This Recipe Works
- Natural Sweetness: The dates and bananas provide sweetness without refined sugars, making it feel indulgent yet wholesome.
- Creamy Yet Dairy-Free: Using frozen bananas and coconut milk keeps the nice cream smooth and creamy without needing actual cream or dairy.
- Seasonal Flavors: Pumpkin pie spice really brings those cozy fall vibes that pair beautifully with fresh blackberries.
- Pretty Presentation: The blackberry swirl design is surprisingly easy to do and makes this tart a showstopper for any occasion.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients in this Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe come together like a dream—each one playing a key role in both flavor and texture. Plus, they’re mostly easy to find and can be swapped out if needed. I like to make sure my dates are really soft because that makes the crust hold together perfectly.
- Pitted Medjool Dates: These add natural sweetness and help bind the crust together—soft dates work best for an even crust.
- Almond Flour: Adds a tasty nutty base and keeps the crust gluten-free and crumbly.
- Shredded Coconut: Adds a nice texture and subtle coconut flavor to the crust.
- Vanilla: Enhances flavor depth whether in crust or nice cream.
- Coconut Oil: Helps bind ingredients and adds richness.
- Maple Syrup: For a touch of sweetness and warmth in the crust.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: The hero spice mix that ties all the pumpkin flavors together.
- Pinch of Salt: Balances sweetness and boosts all the flavors.
- Frozen Chopped Bananas: The base for silky nice cream with natural sweetness.
- Pumpkin Puree: Gives you that creamy pumpkin flavor and smooth texture.
- Full Fat Coconut Milk: Adds richness and smoothness to the nice cream.
- Blackberries: Fresh and tart, they add beautiful color and a burst of juicy berry flavor.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your taste or dietary needs. Whether you want it a little sweeter, more spiced up, or even totally nut-free, there’s a way to make it yours.
- Variation: Once, I swapped out almond flour for oat flour for a friend with nut allergies and it worked wonderfully—just press a bit firmer as oat flour can be looser.
- Dietary Mod: Use a maple syrup substitute like agave or coconut nectar if you prefer a different liquid sweetener.
- Seasonal Twist: You could swap blackberries for pomegranate seeds or cranberries in winter for a festive flair.
- Extra Creaminess: Adding a tablespoon of almond butter to the nice cream mixture makes it extra rich and satisfying.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe
Step 1: Build a Flavor-Packed Crust
Start by tossing the pitted medjool dates, almond flour, shredded coconut, vanilla, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt into your food processor. Pulse until the dates break down completely and you can pinch the mixture together without it falling apart. This is your signal that the crust will hold nicely. Then, lightly grease a springform pan with coconut oil and press the crust in evenly to form the base. Pop it into the freezer for about 10 minutes to firm up.
Step 2: Freeze the Pumpkin Puree
While the crust chills, spoon your pumpkin puree onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spread it into a thin, even layer. Placing it into the freezer for at least 30 minutes ensures it freezes solid enough to give your nice cream delicious pumpkin flavor without being watery.
Step 3: Whip Up the Nice Cream
In your food processor, combine the frozen chopped bananas, the frozen pumpkin now hardened, full-fat coconut milk, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Blend until there are no chunks, and it’s luxuriously smooth and creamy — basically, like soft-serve ice cream. This is where the magic happens!
Step 4: Assemble and Swirl
Remove the crust from the freezer and scoop all but 1/4 cup of the nice cream over it, smoothing it into one even layer. Next, add the blackberries to the remaining 1/4 cup of nice cream in the food processor and blend until the berries break down completely into a thin, purple sauce. Pour this blackberry mixture into a zip-top baggie, snip off a tiny corner, and pipe a spiral starting from the center working outward. Use a knife or skewer to pull gentle lines from the center to the edges to create a spider web effect — it’s easier than it looks and adds a stunning touch!
Step 5: Add the Final Touches and Freeze
Scatter fresh blackberry halves around the edge of the tart. If you’re feeling festive for Halloween, you can turn some blackberries into little spiders by piping chocolate “legs” and adding nut butter “eyes.” Pop the tart back into the freezer for at least 30 minutes to firm up completely. Before serving, run a butter knife around the springform pan edge to release the tart easily, then let it soften for 5-10 minutes so it’s creamy and dreamy when you dig in.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Soft Dates Are Key: If your dates are a bit dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes to help the crust come together perfectly.
- Freeze Pumpkin Early: Freezing the pumpkin puree ahead saves time and ensures a creamy texture in the nice cream.
- Swirl Art Made Simple: Use a light hand when pulling the swirl lines outward to keep the pattern crisp and pretty.
- Easier Slicing: Let the tart sit for a few minutes at room temp before slicing to avoid cracks and get clean pieces.
How to Serve Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top mine with a handful of fresh blackberries and a light dusting of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for that extra festive sparkle. If I’m going all out for a Halloween party, I love making the little blackberry spiders — they’re as fun to eat as they are to look at!
Side Dishes
This tart shines best on its own, but if you want to pair it, try serving alongside a warm chai tea or a pumpkin spice latte to really bring out those autumn vibes. For a brunch spread, it goes wonderfully with spiced oatmeal or a crisp green salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve turned this tart into mini individual servings by making smaller crusts in muffin tins and layering the nice cream mixture on top. It’s perfect for parties and easier to serve. I also love adding edible flowers or a drizzle of dark chocolate for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This tart keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a week. When I store leftovers, I like to cover the tart tightly with plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor.
Freezing
Freezing is the best way to keep this tart ready to enjoy anytime. Just make sure it’s well wrapped, and before serving, let it thaw for about 10-15 minutes at room temperature to soften it just enough for perfect slices.
Reheating
No reheating needed here! Since it’s a nice cream tart, you’ll want to enjoy it cold but slightly softened. If you find it’s too hard, just leave it out a little longer. It’s a perfect cool treat, not a warm dessert.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen whole bananas instead of chopped?
Absolutely! Just slice the whole frozen bananas into chunks before blending to make it easier on your food processor. The texture will remain just as creamy.
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What if I don’t have a springform pan?
No worries! You can use any round tart or pie pan. Just be extra careful when pressing the crust and when serving, since it won’t have removable sides.
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Can I make this tart without pumpkin?
Yes! Swap pumpkin puree for more frozen bananas or even frozen mango for a different fruity twist. You can also skip pumpkin pie spice and use cinnamon and nutmeg to keep warm flavors.
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How do I avoid the nice cream getting icy?
Using ripe bananas and full-fat coconut milk helps keep things creamy. Also, blend well until smooth and freeze for the recommended time to let everything set perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe is one of those desserts I’m so happy to share because it fits so many occasions — from cozy fall nights to fun Halloween gatherings. It’s easy to make, healthy-ish, and has that wow-factor both in taste and appearance. I hope you’ll give it a go and enjoy every creamy, fruity, spiced bite as much as I do—it’s like autumn on a plate, but cooler!
PrintBlackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A delicious and festive Blackberry Pumpkin Pie Nice Cream Tart that combines a spiced almond and coconut crust with a creamy pumpkin banana ice cream, swirled with fresh blackberries. Perfect for a seasonal dessert with a vegan and gluten-free twist.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 4 pitted medjool dates
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted and cooled
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Nice Cream:
- 2 frozen chopped bananas
- 1 can pumpkin puree (about 15 oz)
- ½ cup full fat coconut milk, shaken
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup blackberries
Toppings:
- Blackberries for decoration
- Optional: chocolate and nut butter for decorating blackberry “spiders”
Instructions
- Make the crust: In a food processor, combine the medjool dates, almond flour, shredded coconut, vanilla, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Process until the dates break down and the mixture can be pinched together to hold its shape.
- Press crust into pan: Lightly grease a springform pan with coconut oil. Pour the crust mixture into the pan and press it into one even layer. Place the pan in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to allow the crust to harden.
- Freeze pumpkin puree: Pour the pumpkin puree onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Freeze for at least 30 minutes to harden.
- Prepare the nice cream: Once the pumpkin is frozen, combine frozen chopped bananas, frozen pumpkin, coconut milk, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice in the food processor. Blend until creamy with no chunks.
- Assemble tart layer: Remove the crust from the freezer and spread all but ¼ cup of the nice cream mixture evenly over the crust in a smooth layer.
- Create the blackberry swirl: Add the reserved ¼ cup nice cream back to the food processor. Add ½ cup blackberries and blend until the berries break down and the mixture is thin.
- Decorate tart: Transfer the blackberry mixture into a ziplock bag and cut a small corner. Pipe a spiral pattern starting from the center of the tart outward. Using a knife or skewer, drag lines from the center out to create a spider web effect.
- Add toppings: Place blackberry halves around the tart’s edge. For a Halloween theme, optionally decorate blackberries with chocolate legs and nut butter eyeballs to create little spider decorations.
- Freeze tart: Place the tart back in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until fully frozen.
- Serve: Before removing the tart from the springform pan, run a butter knife along the edge to loosen it. Let the tart sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
Notes
- Use medjool dates for a natural sweetener and better texture in the crust.
- Allow tart to soften slightly before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute almond flour with oat flour for a nut-free option if needed.
- The swirl can be made with any berries you prefer for variation.
- Ensure pumpkin puree is fully frozen to achieve the right creamy texture in the nice cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg