Easy New Years Eve Dessert: A Guilt-Free Treat

Okay, picture this: the clock’s ticking down, the excitement’s building, and you need a show-stopping New Year’s Eve dessert, like, yesterday! I’m Lisa Raymond, by the way, and I’m all about easy recipes that make you feel like a kitchen rockstar (even if you’re just wearing pajamas). I still remember one New Year’s Eve where my ambitious dessert turned into a sugary disaster! Ever since, I’ve been on a quest for the *perfect* easy new years eve dessert – and trust me, this is it. This recipe nails it: minimal fuss, maximum flavor. So, ditch the stress and get ready to wow your guests!

Why You’ll Love This Easy New Years Eve Dessert

Seriously, this recipe is a lifesaver! I’m pretty sure you’ll love it as much as I do. Here’s why:

• Crazy quick prep: We’re talking, like, 5 minutes tops!
• Minimal ingredients: You probably have most of this stuff already.
• Festive flavor: That pumpkin spice just screams “holiday cheer,” doesn’t it?
• Crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves it, even picky eaters.
• Easy cleanup: One bowl? Yes, please!

Ingredients for Your New Years Eve Dessert

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! The best part? You probably have most of this hiding in your pantry already! You’ll need:

• 1 box (15.25 ounces) cake mix – any flavor you like! (I usually grab yellow or spice cake)
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree – not pumpkin pie filling, okay?
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice – trust me on this one!
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips – semi-sweet is my go-to.

That’s it! Told ya it was easy!

How to Make This New Years Eve Dessert: Step-by-Step

Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Don’t worry, it’s less “abracadabra” and more “easy-peasy.” Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious new years eve dessert in no time!

1. Preheat, Preheat, Preheat! Seriously, don’t skip this step. Crank that oven up to 350°F (175°C). This is key! You don’t want a sad, undercooked cake.
2. Mix It Up! Grab a big bowl (the bigger, the better – less mess!). Dump in your cake mix, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. Now, mix it all together. I usually start with a spoon, then switch to a mixer to make sure everything is *really* combined. You want it smooth, not lumpy.
3. Chocolate Chip Party! Stir in those chocolate chips. Don’t be shy! I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate chips?
4. Pan It! Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. You can use cooking spray or butter – whichever floats your boat. Pour your batter into the pan and spread it out evenly.
5. Bake Time! Pop that pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. But here’s the trick – keep an eye on it! You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs – we don’t want it dry!).
6. Cool Down! Let the cake cool *completely* before cutting it into squares. I know, it’s torture, but trust me, it’s worth it. Otherwise, it’ll just fall apart.

And that’s it! See? Told you it was easy! Now you’ve got a perfect new years eve dessert you can be proud of!

Tips for the Best New Years Eve Dessert

Okay, wanna take this new years eve dessert from “good” to “OMG-amazing?” Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way:

• Don’t overmix! Seriously, less is more. Overmixing makes the cake tough. Mix until *just* combined.
• Even baking is key! Make sure your oven rack is in the center. If your oven tends to bake unevenly, rotate the pan halfway through.
• Spice it up (literally)! If you’re feeling fancy, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter. It’ll kick up that holiday flavor even more.
• Let it cool *completely*! This is SO important! If you cut into it too soon, it’ll be a gooey mess. Patience, my friend!

Trust me, these little tips make a big difference!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for New Years Eve Dessert

Alright, let’s chat ingredients! Got a question about a swap? I’ve got you covered. This recipe is super forgiving, so don’t stress if you need to make a few changes!

• Cake Mix: Honestly, use whatever cake mix you have on hand! Spice cake is amazing, but yellow cake, chocolate cake, even red velvet works! Just make sure it’s a standard 15.25-ounce box.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Don’t have any? No sweat! Mix 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Boom! Homemade pumpkin pie spice!
• Chocolate Chips: Not a chocolate chip fan? (Gasp!) Okay, okay, try butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts. Cranberries would be super festive too!
• Pumpkin Puree: Make *sure* you don’t accidentally grab pumpkin pie filling! It’s already sweetened and spiced, and that’ll throw off the whole recipe!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Your New Years Eve Dessert

Want to get a head start on your new years eve dessert? Smart move! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can bake it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, and then store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay nice and moist.

Got leftovers? (If you do, you’re stronger than I am!). They’ll keep in the fridge for about a week. Or, for longer storage, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 2 months. Just thaw them out before serving. Easy peasy!

New Years Eve Dessert: Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? Of course, you do! Here are a few of the most common questions I get about this yummy new years eve dessert. Don’t be shy!

Can I use a different type of cake mix for this new years eve dessert?

Absolutely! Like I said before, this new years eve dessert recipe is super flexible. I’ve used spice cake, yellow cake, chocolate cake…even a red velvet cake once! Just make sure it’s a standard 15.25-ounce box.

Can I add nuts to this easy new years eve dessert?

You betcha! Chopped walnuts or pecans would be delicious in this. I’d say about 1/2 cup should do the trick. Just stir them in with the chocolate chips. For an extra kick, toast the nuts beforehand – it really brings out their flavor!

My new years eve dessert came out a little dry – what did I do wrong?

Oops! No worries, it happens. The most common culprit is overbaking. Make sure you’re checking for doneness with a toothpick around the 25-minute mark. Also, make sure you measured the pumpkin puree correctly. Too much cake mix and not enough pumpkin will dry it out! For another super moist option (especially as the holidays wind down!), check out my friend’s pumpkin dump cake recipe. Talk about yum!

Can I use sugar-free cake mix to make this new years eve dessert a bit healthier?

That’s a great idea! I haven’t personally tried it, but I don’t see why not. Just keep an eye on the baking time, as sugar-free mixes can sometimes bake a little differently. You might also want to add a touch of extra spice to compensate for the lack of sugar.

Estimated Nutritional Information for New Years Eve Dessert

Okay, so here’s the lowdown on what you’re *probably* getting nutrition-wise with each square (it’s an estimate, okay? Don’t come for me, nutritionists!). We’re talking calories, fat, protein, carbs, the usual suspects!

Enjoy Your New Years Eve Dessert!

There you have it! A super easy, totally delicious new years eve dessert that’s sure to impress! Now, go forth and bake! And hey, if you try it out, leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Or, even better, snap a pic and share it on social media! Happy New Year!

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