My mother made her own recipe binder from supplies gathered in my parents’ first printing office. I occasionally steep a pot of tea, curl up with her old binder, and reminisce. Not long ago, as I perused the binder, a little scrap of paper fell to the floor. The recipe for Magic Pumpkin Buckle was scribbled on the note.

I began researching dessert buckles. Apparently, a buckle is, traditionally, a simple, streusel-topped cake with fruit, often berries, sprinkled throughout. After making this pumpkin buckle, a few times, I believe it is called a buckle because the biscuit portion of the dessert buckles up as it cooks, rising through the pumpkin mixture, creating a topping reminiscent of the way the earth’s surface formed. The first time I made this recipe, I panicked. It looked as if it was going to overflow. This is why the nine-by-thirteen-inch pan needs to be at least two inches deep.

I dared to serve my mom’s Magic Pumpkin Buckle at a little pre-Christmas gathering. Both my brother and my son-in-law proclaimed it to be better than pumpkin pie. This dessert serves 12 people easily, and leftovers freeze.

The original recipe actually called for more sugar. We like it this way. I encourage you to try this recipe and leave a comment. Once this dish goes in the oven, you will have an hour of excitement! Buckle up.