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*Amazing* Pumpkin Cheesecake
October 26, 2019
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Elevate your Thanksgiving meal this holiday season by combining pumpkin pie and the silky texture of cheesecake to get this creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe! Smooth, tangy and creamy, its one of the best desserts you can make this Fall.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Say hello to Fall with this Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe! This dessert easily elevates your Thanksgiving spread by marrying pumpkin pie and cheesecake together. But just because it looks a little fancier doesn’t mean it’s harder to make. Topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce, this Pumpkin Cheesecake is irresistible. So whether you are making it for Thanksgiving or just because you are in the mood for pumpkin, you’re going to love it.
Basic Ingredients Needed
- Graham Crackers, Melted Butter and Granulated Sugar – for a simple graham cracker crust, you’ll need these three ingredients. You can also use crisp gingersnap cookies instead of graham crackers for a different flavor combo.
- Cream Cheese – make sure to use room temperature cream cheese for the best results!
- Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar – the combination of the two work so well in this recipe to add color and sweetness.
- Eggs – stirred in as the last ingredient when making the cheesecake filling.
- Pumpkin Puree – obviously, you need some pumpkin for a pumpkin cheesecake!
- Flour – only two tablespoons are needed to set the cheesecake.
- Vanilla – to help balance and compliment the spices and pumpkin flavor.
- Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Ground Cloves – these are the staple spices that go so well with pumpkin and will make your cheesecake to die for. Of course you can substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice for all of these spices.
If you aren’t a pumpkin person but are totally on the cheesecake express, here are some other cheesecakes that will make you swoon: Amazing No-Bake Cheesecake Recipe, Nutella New York Cheesecake Recipe, No-Bake Gluten-Free Chocolate Cheesecake, and Caramel Pecan Pie Cheesecake.
How to Make Pumpkin Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a labor of love! While the ingredients list is filled with really common things you probably already have on hand, it takes some time to make! But, of course you make this well in advance of Thanksgiving and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Storage directions are listed below.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, stir graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar until moist. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 7-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
- In a large bowl, stir cream cheese with sugar and brown sugar until completely smooth and well combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl and stir again to ensure a well-mixed batter. Add in eggs, 1 at a time. Stir in pumpkin, flour, vanilla, and spices. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again to ensure a uniform, lump-free batter. (Be careful not to incorporate too much air into the mixture, this can cause the cheesecake to crack while baking.)
- Pour cheesecake filling into graham cracker crust, smooth the top and bake 70 minutes. Turn oven off, crack the oven door and cool cheesecake 1-2 hours before removing, bringing to room temperature, covering and refrigerating. (This is the best way I have made cheesecake without any cracks!)
- To serve, remove springform pan edges, cut cheesecake into slices and serve with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
Preparing your pans for a Water Bath
While I don’t love water baths, I can see how there is a time and a place for them. The purpose of a water bath is to gently cook the cheesecake and help prevent it from cracking. The idea is if you slowly bring it up to temperature to cook and then slowly bring it down in temperature to cool, it won’t crack. That’s not to say it will never crack (all cheesecakes can and do crack from time to time), but it definitely helps move the odds in your favor.
If you don’t already have a leak-proof springform pan, I’d start there! I love USA pans and this springform pan is great! If you have a regular springform pan that isn’t leak proof, be sure to wrap the exterior really well in foil to make it leak proof. It might take some tight wrapping and a few layers, but it can be done!
My Cheesecake cracked! What do I do?
Even if you did follow the directions super closely, there’s still a chance that your cheesecake can crack. It really is a science sometimes. You can read my newer cheesecake post here where I talk all about the reasons why cheesecakes can crack, but the main thing to remember is DON’T STRESS about the crack. Your cheesecake will taste just the same!
The solution to this cosmetic problem is either to not let it bother you or covering the crack! Whipped cream will cover a multitude of sins as will chocolate ganache.
My favorite thing to do is cutting up individual slices (cutting around or avoiding the crack) and garnishing each separate piece. Add some whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, some chopped nuts, etc.. Pretty those pieces up and no one will know.
Cheesecake Toppings
Speaking of cracks, here are some delicious garnish options specifically chosen for a pumpkin cheesecake! When I made this recipe I topped it with fresh whipped cream and a good quality caramel sauce plus a sprinkling of cinnamon. But if you are feeling adventurous, here are some other ideas:
- Chopped Pecans – this adds a delicious nutty crunch.
- Graham Cracker – save some crumbs from your crust and sprinkle on top to tie the whole dish together.
- Gingersnaps – crush some of these cookies and sprinkle on top for a different type of flavor combo.
- Rum Whipped Cream – just sub out the vanilla extract for rum extract. The result is rum flavor without the alcohol.
- Cinnamon Whipped Cream – add some cinnamon to your whipped cream! This is also super good on apple pies.
- Chocolate Ganache– melt equal parts of chocolate chips with heavy cream and drizzle over the top. Milk chocolate chips are my favorite, but dark chocolate would also be delicious!
Making Pumpkin Cheesecake ahead of time
The best part of this recipe is being able to make it ahead and having it taste just as good day three as it did fresh out of the oven. If you are wanting to make this for Thanksgiving or Christmas ahead of time, I’d recommend making it 3-4 days before you want to serve it. Make the Pumpkin Cheesecake according to the recipe card below, then cover and store in the fridge. Keep it in the springform pan the entire time to keep those edges fresh.
To serve, unlatch and remove collar, decorate as desired and serve. For clean slices, dip your knife into hot water, wipe off excess water and then slice.
If you want to make Pumpkin Cheesecake well in advance and freeze, simply make this recipe according to the recipe card below, remove the collar, wrap well in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
To freeze slices of cheesecake, once the cheesecake is made, fold long pieces of parchment paper in half. Slide the parchment paper onto a knife and cut, leaving the parchment paper in between each slice of cheesecake. Wrap in several layers of plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
Other Thanksgiving Desserts you will love:
- Fail-Proof Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler
- Pumpkin Lasagna Dessert (a no-bake favorite!!)
- Sweet Potato Pie (I love this recipe so much…probably more than pumpkin pie.)
Enjoy this delicious addition to your dessert table this holiday season! This recipe is something you’re not going to want to lose, so be sure to pin/bookmark/save/print it. Have a great day, friends!
Amazing Pumpkin Cheesecake
Elevate your Thanksgiving meal this holiday season by combining pumpkin pie and the silky texture of cheesecake to get this creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz. cream cheese at room temperature, 3 packages
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the exterior of a 9-inch springform pan well in heavy duty foil to prepare it for a water bath. (It may take two or three layers to ensure it is sealed well.)
- In a medium bowl, stir graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar until moist. Press into the bottom and up the sides of springform pan. Bake 8 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
- In a large bowl, stir cream cheese with sugar and brown sugar until completely smooth and well combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl and stir again to ensure a well mixed batter. Stir in pumpkin, flour, vanilla and spices. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix again to ensure a uniform, lump-free batter. In a separate bowl, crack eggs and beat together. All at once, pour eggs in and stir until just combined.
- Pour cheesecake filling into graham cracker crust and smooth the top. Place into the center of a roasting pan and pour in hot water to roasting pan until water is half way up the cheesecake pan, about 1 1/2-2 inches of water. Bake 70 minutes. Turn oven off, crack oven door and cool cheesecake 1-2 hours before removing, bringing to room temperature, covering and refrigerating.
- To serve, remove springform pan edges, cut cheesecake into slices and serve with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 273mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 3603IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg
this looks scrumptious ! I will def have to try this , this year. I love the thought of the two flavors combined.
Looks delicious, I love cheesecakes so I will definitely have to try this out!
My brother would love this. It sounds like it is really rich. Looks like it isn’t that hard to throw together. Might make this one this year. Thanks for the share.
Can you use pumpkin pie purée mix instead? I’ve seen a lot of recipes that say no, but then don’t say why. Thanks for your help!
I haven’t tested this recipe with that pumpkin pie mix but you are welcome to try! My only concern would be the extra sugar in the pie mix. But in theory it should bake ok as long as the eggs are in there. Give it a whirl and report back!
I much prefer pumpkin cheesecake to pumpkin pie! It’s a texture thing. I’ll have to try this version next time!
Yum! This looks fantastic! I always enjoy your recipes and cannot wait to try this one!
This looks delicious! Definitely have to try this one 🙂
This looks so yummy. I can’t wait to make it for Thanksgiving which will be my first with my sister. We found each other with ancestry dna. Happy Thanksgiving and love all your recipes.
I have tried so many of your recipes but this has to be my favorite! I’m a pumpkin lover through and through!
this looks incredible! i’ve been searching for the perfect “classic” pumpkin cheesecake recipe, and it looks like i’ve found one!
Adding this to my Thanksgiving menu! Yum!
This pumpkin cheesecake looks amazing. My son loves pumpkin so we will be adding this to our Thanksgiving desserts!
I cannot wait to try this!!
This looks amazing. Now I know what I am making for Thanksgiving Dessert
Wow, this looks amazing!
what size can of pumpkin/ we get in 15 oz or 29 oz.
thanks
Who doesn’t love pumpin and cream cheese together?
I Love pumpkin and this looks good.
This looks absolutely fabulous. I’ll definitely be making this for the holidays.
This is on my “Cant Wait to Make” list for Thanksgiving. What could be better than pumpkin and cheesecake?
Just in time for the holidays. I love anything pumpkin.
Gonna try this cheesecake for Thanksgiving. Would like a recipe that I can make in the instantpot. Not sure if this one would work.
[…] Pumpkin Cheesecake […]
Just put this in the oven. Wondering what I did wrong though.. Not all of the batter fit in my 7 inch springform.
CAN YOU SEND NO BAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
THANK YOU
MARIA AMMIRATO
Hello,
First time commenter long time admirer/fan.
Im in Australia and I have been trying out many pumpkin recipes. This baked cheesecake is very much on my must bake list. Because Australia doesn’t sell pumpkin in cans I have been baking a butternut pumpkin and scraping out the middle to make all my pumpkin inspired recipes. Do i have to do anything to the pumpkin (blend it to make it smooth) for this recipe to work better?? I hope this makes sense.
Just make sure to put it in some cheesecloth to drain off any excess liquid so your pureed pumpkin is really thick.
Are you using a 7 inch pan or a 9 inch pan?
9 inch! The 7-inch springform pan was a typo in the recipe that got corrected.