The Ultimate Soft Pumpkin Cookies Recipe
Brown butter cream cheese frosting turns these soft pumpkin cookies into a frosted tray bake with more finish than plain spice cookies.
cream cheese frosting
57 Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
Curated by Elowen HartleyUpdated September 17, 2026
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Pumpkin desserts belong on fall tables, especially when you need a pan of bars for a crowd, a make-ahead pie, or a quick treat after dinner. The pumpkin smell deepens as cakes bake, while chilled puddings and mousse turn smooth in the refrigerator.
Choose cookies and bars for sharing, pies and cheesecakes for holiday dinners, or no bake desserts when the oven is already busy. You’ll also find pumpkin seeds for baking, pumpkin white chocolate desserts, and easy fall desserts with different textures and serving styles.
What Are Pumpkin Dessert Recipes?
Pumpkin dessert recipes use pumpkin purée or fresh pumpkin in cookies, cakes, pies, puddings, candies, and chilled treats. Warm spices, brown sugar, maple, chocolate, cream cheese, and nuts commonly shape the flavor. Some toppings stay crisp, while custards should wobble gently in the center.
If a recipe uses purée, drain excess moisture when the mixture looks loose because too much liquid can soften a crust. This collection includes baked pumpkin fall desserts, no bake pumpkin desserts, pumpkin seeds for baking, and pumpkin white chocolate combinations.
How to Choose the Best Pumpkin Desserts
For a short schedule, choose five minute pudding or dessert dip, then use cookies and cupcakes when you have about half an hour. Chilled cheesecakes, mousse, and icebox cake need more passive time, but the refrigerator does the work while the kitchen cools.
Pies and layered cakes suit a holiday table, while bars, shooters, and cookies travel more easily. If you want crunch, look for streusel, brittle, pumpkin seeds, or shortbread. If the batter seems wet, allow extra cooling before slicing so the center can set.
Pumpkin Cookies and Small Bakes
These recipes turn pumpkin and warm spices into cookies, thumbprints, and bite size doughnut holes. They bake faster than pies and are easier to portion for lunchboxes or dessert trays. Watch the edges: they should look set while the centers still feel soft, because extra oven time can dry small cookies.
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Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar
These pumpkin spice cookies finish in 25 minutes, bringing a short bake option to a collection filled with longer chilled desserts.
25-minute cookies -
Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting: Pillowy Soft
Cream cheese frosting sits over spiced pumpkin cookies in this 25 minute bake, giving cookie portions a cake like dessert finish.
frosted cookie batch -
Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies in 30 Minutes
Toasted brown butter deepens these pumpkin cookies, separating them from lighter spice batches with a nutty baked aroma.
brown butter flavor -
Chewy Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Brown butter and cinnamon sugar shape these pumpkin snickerdoodles, offering a rolled cookie with a distinct spiced coating.
pumpkin snickerdoodles brown -
Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Holes in 22 Minutes
These pumpkin spice doughnut holes skip yeast proofing and arrive as bite size portions for brunch tables or casual fall snacking.
bite-size doughnut holes -
No-Chill Pumpkin Pie Thumbprint Cookies
Shortbread dough holds a pumpkin pie center in these thumbprints, combining a buttery cookie edge with a filled middle.
filled thumbprint cookies
Pumpkin White Chocolate Desserts
White chocolate adds a sweet, creamy note to cookies, muffins, cheesecake, truffles, blondies, and bars. The group ranges from quick bakes to chilled candy, so check whether the texture comes from the oven or refrigeration. If melted chocolate looks thick, gentle heat helps it blend without scorching.
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Chewy Pumpkin and White Chocolate Chip Cookies
White chocolate chips bring buttery sweetness to spiced pumpkin cookies, placing this recipe at the center of pumpkin white chocolate desserts.
pumpkin white chocolate -
White Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins in 35 Minutes
White chocolate chips melt into pumpkin muffin batter, making these individual bakes a practical pumpkin white chocolate option.
white chocolate muffins -
White Chocolate Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter
Oats and white chocolate give these pumpkin cookies a substantial chew, adding a textured alternative to cake like pumpkin cookies.
oatmeal white chocolate -
Pumpkin White Chocolate Pie with Ganache
White chocolate enriches the pumpkin pie filling in this eight slice dessert, pairing a wobbly custard with a buttery crust.
white chocolate pie -
Pumpkin White Chocolate Truffles in 80 Minutes
Pumpkin spice and white chocolate form bite size truffles, a chilled candy option for gifting or dessert platters.
pumpkin white chocolate -
Pumpkin White Chocolate Blondies with Brown Butter
Brown butter and white chocolate create dense pumpkin blondies, offering a bar with a firmer bite than cake.
dense white chocolate bars -
Fudgy Pumpkin White Chocolate Bars
These pumpkin white chocolate bars bake in 40 minutes and bring a dense square format to the white chocolate dessert group.
40-minute dessert bars
Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
These pumpkin cakes, loaves, cupcakes, and bars rely on familiar pantry formats, with options for brunch, potlucks, and family dinners. Cake mix appears in some recipes, while oil, sour cream, banana, or cream cheese changes the crumb in others. Cool baked layers fully before adding frosting, or it will slide.
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Moist Pumpkin Banana Bread
Pumpkin and banana share the batter here, producing a loaf that sits between autumn cake and breakfast bread.
pumpkin banana loaf -
Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake with Browned Butter
Pecan topping adds toasted crunch to this pumpkin coffee cake, which works as a sweet finish for an autumn brunch.
pecan streusel topping -
Guilt-Free Pumpkin Ginger Spice Cupcakes
Ginger sharpens the spice profile in these pumpkin cupcakes, a smaller format bake for autumn parties and dessert trays.
ginger spice cupcakes -
Moist Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze
Sour cream keeps this pumpkin Bundt cake tender, while a maple glaze supplies the finishing contrast after the cake cools.
maple glazed Bundt -
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake: Rich and Spiced
Cake mix forms the base of this gooey pumpkin butter cake, a rich slab dessert with a softer center than ordinary cake.
gooey cake mix base -
Pumpkin Pie Spice Bars with Shortbread Crust
A shortbread base supports pumpkin pie spice filling in these bars, giving each square a firm buttery edge and soft center.
shortbread crust -
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin pie spice turns cupcake batter into individual portions that bake in 30 minutes and suit casual fall dessert trays.
30-minute cupcakes -
Tender Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread
Maple glaze finishes this pumpkin bread with a thin sweet layer, giving a loaf format a dessert table presentation.
maple glaze -
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes With Maple Frosting in 30 Minutes
Maple frosting tops these pumpkin spice cupcakes, adding a distinct syrup note to an individual autumn bake.
maple frosted cupcakes -
Pumpkin Spice Smores Bars with Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin spice s'mores turn the classic campfire format into layered fall bars with a crisp base and toasted topping.
layered s'mores bars
No-Bake Pumpkin Desserts
No bake pumpkin pudding, mousse, cheesecake, cups, shooters, dip, delight, and icebox cake keep the oven free. Their textures depend on chilling, folding, or layering rather than browning. Give a loose filling enough refrigerator time, because slicing too soon can collapse the layers or blur the crust.
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No Bake Pumpkin Cookies with Pumpkin Puree
A brief stovetop simmer sets these pumpkin cookies without an oven, adding a no bake route for warm weather or busy kitchens.
stovetop no-bake -
Pumpkin Icebox Cake with Condensed Milk
Gingersnaps and spiced pumpkin filling form chilled layers in this icebox cake, which needs refrigerator time instead of baking.
gingersnap icebox cake -
Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits with Ginger Snaps
Pumpkin mousse and ginger snaps alternate in individual parfaits, bringing an airy chilled texture to the autumn dessert lineup.
gingersnap parfaits -
Pumpkin Dessert Dip with Cream Cheese
Pumpkin dessert dip takes five minutes to mix and turns the category into a scoopable option for cookies, apples, or crackers.
five-minute dessert dip -
No Bake Pumpkin Pudding
This five minute pumpkin pudding delivers pie like spice without pastry, making it one of the fastest no bake pumpkin desserts.
five-minute pudding -
Healthy Pumpkin Pudding with Coconut Milk
Coconut milk shifts this pumpkin pudding toward a smooth, dairy-free-style format with a spice forward finish.
coconut milk pudding
Pumpkin Pies and Custard Desserts
Classic pies, tart, crumble, and bread pudding bring pumpkin custard to the center of the table. Crusts range from graham cracker and shortbread to traditional pastry, while streusel and crumble add a browned top. Pull custard when it still trembles slightly, since it continues setting as it cools.
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Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dessert with Pumpkin Pie
A gluten-free crust and pumpkin custard give this make-ahead pie a holiday angle for guests avoiding wheat.
gluten-free holiday pie -
Crispy Pumpkin Pie Crumble
A crisp crumble replaces a pastry lid over pumpkin filling, giving holiday hosts a spoonable dessert with a browned topping.
crumble topping -
Lighter Graham Cracker Pumpkin Pie
A graham cracker crust supports a gently wobbly pumpkin center, giving classic pie flavor a sweeter, crumb based foundation.
graham cracker crust -
Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding with Bourbon Pecan Sauce
Brioche absorbs pumpkin custard in this bread pudding, producing a baked dessert with soft centers and a golden surface.
brioche bread pudding -
Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie with Almond Flour
Espresso reduction gives this pumpkin pie a coffeehouse flavor and helps distinguish it from traditional spice only fillings.
espresso pumpkin pie -
Fresh Pumpkin Dessert: Velvety Custard Tart
Fresh sugar pumpkin replaces canned purée in this tart style dessert, giving the recipe a from scratch seasonal angle.
fresh pumpkin baking
Pumpkin Seeds for Baking
Candied seeds, cinnamon sugar pepitas, brittle, and pumpkin seed cookies add toasted crunch to the dessert spread. These are useful as standalone sweets or as toppings for cakes and chilled desserts. Stir seeds often as sugar darkens, because the coating can move from golden to burnt quickly.
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Crispy Candied Pumpkin Seeds
Maple syrup coats roasted pumpkin seeds in this candy like recipe, useful as a standalone snack or a crunchy dessert topping.
maple candied seeds -
Healthy Pumpkin Seed Cookies: Toasty and Nutty
Toasted pumpkin seeds are built into the cookie dough here, creating a recipe with pumpkin seeds and a nutty bite.
pumpkin seed cookies -
Pumpkin Seed Brittle with Roasted Pepitas
Salted pumpkin seeds set into brittle for a snapping candy texture, adding a crisp contrast to soft pumpkin desserts.
crunchy seed brittle -
Caramelized Roasted Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
Cinnamon sugar clings to baked pumpkin seeds in this simple roasted treat, a lighter crunch for fall dessert boards.
baked cinnamon seeds
Pumpkin Cheesecake and Creamy Slices
Cheesecake cakes, bars, baked cheesecake, mousse cheesecake, and cream cheese bread pair pumpkin with tangy dairy. Some set in the oven and others in the refrigerator, so their serving windows differ. Bring cream cheese to a workable temperature first; cold lumps remain visible after mixing.
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Creamy NoBake Pumpkin Cheesecake
A chilled pumpkin cheesecake provides a make-ahead alternative to baked pie, with refrigerator time replacing oven setting.
chilled cheesecake -
Guilt-Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars: Golden Crunch
Pumpkin cheesecake bars cut into tidy squares, combining a creamy filling with a format that travels more easily than a whole cheesecake.
sliceable dessert bars -
Guilt-Free Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread
Tangy cream cheese swirls through this pumpkin loaf, adding a visible ribbon to a bread style dessert or brunch bake.
cream cheese swirl -
Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
Baked pumpkin cheesecake meets white chocolate and a gingersnap crust, giving holiday tables a richer pumpkin white chocolate dessert.
baked white chocolate cheesecake -
Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
Pumpkin mousse lightens the cheesecake idea here, creating a quick individual style dessert with a softer spooned texture.
light mousse cheesecake
Pumpkin Desserts for a Crowd
Large cakes, bars, pies, shooters, and layered desserts make portioning easier when guests arrive at different times. Choose squares and individual cups for clean serving, or use a whole pie when the meal calls for a centerpiece. Chill creamy desserts before transport, because warm fillings shift in their crusts.
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Pumpkin Dump Cake with Condensed Milk
Condensed milk enriches the pumpkin layer while cake mix forms a browned topping, giving this dump cake an easy crowd format.
cake mix dessert -
Pumpkin Poke Cake with Spice Cake Mix
Spice cake mix and a soak create a layered poke cake with a soft center suited to potluck slices.
spice cake mix -
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust
Twenty four miniature pumpkin cheesecakes replace large slices with individual gingersnap based portions for holiday dessert tables.
24 individual servings -
No Bake Pumpkin Pie Dessert Shooters
These no bake pumpkin pie shooters layer autumn flavor in small glasses, so guests can take dessert without cutting a pie.
no-bake party cups -
Pauls Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin bars bake as a single slab and stay tender for slicing, making them practical for school events or fall gatherings.
shareable sheet bars -
NoBake Pumpkin Pie Cups: Silky Mousse
Individual pumpkin pie cups keep the crust and filling in compact portions, with chilling doing the setting work.
make-ahead pie cups -
Brown Familys Favorite Pumpkin Pie with Brown Sugar
This family style pumpkin pie uses a caramelized finish and traditional custard, giving the table a familiar holiday centerpiece.
traditional holiday pie -
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake: Creamy Swirl
Spiced cake surrounds a cream cheese layer in this pumpkin cheesecake cake, creating a layered centerpiece rather than a single crust.
layered cheesecake cake -
Tender Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
An oil based pumpkin cake stays tender under cream cheese frosting, making it suited to a larger frosted serving cake.
oil-based cake -
Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
One bowl pumpkin chocolate chip bars bake into mahogany squares, bridging cookie texture and sheet cake convenience for fall gatherings.
one-bowl chocolate bars -
Streusel Pumpkin Pie with Condensed Milk
Condensed milk enriches the pumpkin custard while streusel covers the top, combining pie filling with a crumbly finish.
streusel pie topping -
No Bake Pumpkin Delight with Graham Cracker Crust
This no bake pumpkin delight serves twelve from a chilled dish, with a smooth layered format suited to advance preparation.
large chilled dessert
Storage and Food Safety Tips for Pumpkin Desserts
Desserts containing eggs, dairy, or cream cheese should generally be refrigerated within two hours, and FDA guidance uses two hours at room temperature as a limit. Keep chilled desserts covered so crusts do not absorb refrigerator odors. Custard should stay cold and should not sit outdoors for extended periods.
Store dry cookies and brittle in airtight containers, separate from moist fillings. If a dessert develops a sour smell, watery separation, mold, or an unusual surface, discard it. For baked dishes, reheat only the portion you plan to serve.
Quick Comparison
| # | Recipes | Best For | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pumpkin Cookies: The Softest Recipe With Frosting | frosted cookie trays | Time varies | Not provided |
| 2 | Pumpkin Spice Cookies in 25 Minutes | 25-minute cookie baking | 25 min | Not provided |
| 3 | Pumpkin Cookies in 25 Minutes | frosted seasonal cookies | 25 min | Not provided |
| 4 | Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies (30 Min) | toasted brown butter cookies | 30 min | Not provided |
| 5 | Pumpkin Snickerdoodles with Brown Butter | spiced rolled cookies | Time varies | Not provided |
| 6 | Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Holes in 22 Min | quick bite-size treats | 22 min | Not provided |
| 7 | Pumpkin Pie Thumbprint Cookies in 25 Min | filled party cookies | 25 min | Not provided |
| 8 | Pumpkin White Chocolate Cookies (32 Min) | pumpkin white chocolate cookies | 32 min | Not provided |
| 9 | White Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins for 12 | white chocolate morning bakes | 35 min | Not provided |
| 10 | Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies in 35 Minutes | oatmeal white chocolate cookies | 35 min | Not provided |
| 11 | Pumpkin White Chocolate Pie for 8 Slices | white chocolate pie | Time varies | Not provided |
| 12 | Velvety Pumpkin White Chocolate Truffles | make-ahead chocolate truffles | 80 min | Not provided |
| 13 | Fudgy Pumpkin White Chocolate Blondies | dense white chocolate bars | Time varies | Not provided |
| 14 | Pumpkin White Chocolate Bars in 40 Minutes | dense pumpkin white chocolate bars | 40 min | Not provided |
| 15 | Pumpkin Banana Bread for 12 Slices | loaf-style dessert or brunch | Time varies | Not provided |
| 16 | Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake in 55 Minutes | autumn brunch | 55 min | Not provided |
| 17 | Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes in 35 Minutes | spiced cupcake trays | 35 min | Not provided |
| 18 | Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Sour Cream | glazed centerpiece cake | Time varies | Not provided |
| 19 | Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake with Cake Mix | cake mix dessert bars | Time varies | Not provided |
| 20 | Pumpkin Pie Spice Bars with Shortbread | shortbread-crust dessert bars | 45 min | Not provided |
| 21 | Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes in 30 Minutes | quick cupcake portions | 30 min | Not provided |
| 22 | Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread in 70 Minutes | maple-glazed loaf | 1 hr 10 min | Not provided |
| 23 | Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes in 30 Minutes | maple-frosted cupcakes | 30 min | Not provided |
| 24 | Pumpkin Spice Smores in 40 Minutes | crisp layered fall bars | 40 min | Not provided |
| 25 | No Bake Pumpkin Cookies for 12 | stovetop-set cookies | 1 hr 20 min | Not provided |
| 26 | Pumpkin Icebox Cake for 12 Slices | overnight-style chilled cake | 6 hr 20 min | Not provided |
| 27 | Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits for 4 Servings | light individual parfaits | 2 hr 15 min | Not provided |
| 28 | Pumpkin Dessert Dip in 5 Minutes | last-minute dipping dessert | 5 min | Not provided |
| 29 | Pumpkin Pudding in 5 Minutes | fast no-bake pudding | 5 min | Not provided |
| 30 | Pumpkin Pudding with Coconut Milk | coconut milk pudding | Time varies | Not provided |
| 31 | Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dessert with Pumpkin Pie: Make-Ahead | gluten-free holiday dessert | Time varies | Not provided |
| 32 | Crispy Pumpkin Pie Crumble | crumble-topped pumpkin dessert | Time varies | Not provided |
| 33 | Graham Cracker Pumpkin Pie: Silky Center | graham crust pie | 63 min | Not provided |
| 34 | Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding with Brioche | custardy bread dessert | Time varies | Not provided |
| 35 | Pumpkin Spice Latte Pie for 8 Slices | coffee-flavored holiday pie | Time varies | Not provided |
| 36 | Fresh Pumpkin Dessert for 8 Slices | fresh pumpkin baking | 1 hr 35 min | Not provided |
| 37 | Maple Syrup Candied Pumpkin Seeds | maple seed topping | 30 min | Not provided |
| 38 | Pumpkin Seed Cookies in 22 Minutes | pumpkin seeds for baking | 22 min | Not provided |
| 39 | Pumpkin Seed Brittle in 20 Minutes | crunchy candy | 20 min | Not provided |
| 40 | Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds: Baked | cinnamon sugar seed snack | 40 min | Not provided |
| 41 | NoBake Pumpkin Cheesecake for 12 Slices | make-ahead chilled slices | Time varies | Not provided |
| 42 | Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars | sliceable cheesecake bars | 1 hr 10 min | Not provided |
| 43 | Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread in 70 Minutes | swirled pumpkin loaf | 1 hr 10 min | Not provided |
| 44 | Baked Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake | holiday white chocolate cheesecake | Time varies | Not provided |
| 45 | Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake in 20 Minutes | light cheesecake cups | 20 min | Not provided |
| 46 | Pumpkin Dump Cake with Condensed Milk | fall desserts for a crowd | 70 min | Not provided |
| 47 | Pumpkin Poke Cake with Spice Cake Mix | easy party cake | 50 min | Not provided |
| 48 | Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes for 24 Servings | individual holiday portions | 3 hr 40 min | Not provided |
| 49 | Pumpkin Pie Dessert Shooters for 12 | no-bake party servings | Time varies | Not provided |
| 50 | Pumpkin Bars in 50 Minutes: Tender | shareable fall bars | 50 min | Not provided |
| 51 | NoBake Pumpkin Pie Cups: Make-Ahead | individual make-ahead cups | Time varies | Not provided |
| 52 | Brown Family Pumpkin Pie: Caramelized | traditional pumpkin pie | 80 min | Not provided |
| 53 | Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake Recipe for 12 | layered celebration cake | 80 min | Not provided |
| 54 | Pumpkin Cake for 12 Servings | cream cheese frosted cake | Time varies | Not provided |
| 55 | Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars in 40 Minutes | one-bowl chocolate chip bars | 40 min | Not provided |
| 56 | Streusel Pumpkin Pie with Condensed Milk | streusel holiday pie | Time varies | Not provided |
| 57 | No Bake Pumpkin Delight for 12 Servings | large chilled dessert | 4 hr 40 min | Not provided |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between baked and no bake pumpkin desserts?
Choose baked cakes, cookies, bars, or pies when you want browned edges and a firmer crumb. No bake cups, mousse, pudding, and cheesecake work better when the oven is busy, but they need chilling time.
Which pumpkin desserts work best for a crowd?
Bars, dump cake, sheet style cakes, shooters, and mini cheesecakes are simple to portion for several guests. Individual servings also reduce cutting and make buffet service easier.
Can I make pumpkin desserts ahead of time?
Many pies, cheesecakes, mousse desserts, and icebox cakes can be prepared ahead and chilled. Keep crisp toppings separate when possible, then add them shortly before serving.
What can I use pumpkin seeds for in baking?
Pumpkin seeds can be folded into cookie dough, baked with cinnamon sugar, candied with maple, or cooked into brittle. They add a toasted crunch that contrasts with soft cakes and creamy fillings.
What pairs well with pumpkin white chocolate desserts?
Warm spices, ginger snaps, brown butter, oats, coffee, maple, and shortbread all balance the sweetness of white chocolate. A small amount of salt also keeps the flavor from tasting flat.
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