I'm a bit obsessed with pumpkin -- and I can't really make a secret of that, considering I chat about it all the time! Whether we're talking about pie, pancakes, lattes or soup, I'm powerless to turn down anything related to that giant orange gourd.

So when word got out that Rita's, a national custard company, was offering a Pumpkin Pie Cream Ice (note: "cream ice," not "ice cream") dessert in my neck of the woods, I wasted no time scurrying right over! The "pumpkin" flavoring is actually the ice itself, at the bottom of the dish, with the "cream" coming in the form of heavy whipped cream on top. It's decadent but not overly sweet -- very important to me! -- and definitely hits the spot for pumpkin lovers. It lacks the pie crust crunch of a dessert like Dairy Queen's Pumpkin Pie Blizzard, but it's also not as filling as that treat, too.

My sister covered hers in rainbow sprinkles, but I'm definitely a purist -- just ice and cream for me, thanks! But if you're into that sort of thing, she approved.

The Rita's franchise in my neighborhood is closed by the end of October, but many around the country stay open year-round. If you're looking for a new twist on a classic dessert, make sure you pop over and grab this one before Halloween!