How to Make Pumpkin Cheesecake

Guide Note Pumpkin cheesecake combines the best of both worlds--creamy cheesecake and spicy pumpkin pie. For a dessert that's sure to please lovers of cheesecake and traditional pumpkin pie, read on to learn How to Make Pumpkin Cheesecake!

Table of Contents

Pumpkin Cheesecake Tips

  1. Freeze the graham-cracker crust for at least 10 minutes before baking it.
  2. Allowing the cream cheese to come to room temperature before mixing helps it to blend more evenly.
  3. Try varying the flavor of your crust by using gingersnaps instead of graham crackers or replacing some of the graham crackers with ground pecans.
  4. Add a layer of flavor to your pumpkin cheesecake by serving it with a Maple Pecan or Cranberry Glaze.
  5. Those with special dietary needs can find recipe adaptations such as gluten-free crusts or reduced-calorie fillings.

Newest How To Guides

Tips on dealing with difficult people

Great ideas for mixed drinks

Beat the cold of winter by making the perfect cup of hot chocolate

Need to save money? Learn how to spend less on food

All the information you need to make the digital TV switch

Introduction

  • It's not just a pumpkin pie; it's not just cheesecake--it's the best of both worlds, and it's surprisingly simple to make. Delight your family, your friends, or just treat yourself, with a pumpkin cheesecake! With a combination of pumpkin and spices, it captures the essence of autumn flavors, but it's so good, you just might find yourself making this cheesecake year-round.

What You'll Need

Equipment

Ingredients for the Crust

Ingredients for the Filling

Step 1: Make the Crust

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham-cracker crumbs, the sugar, and the melted butter.
  2. Stir until the butter has blended in and been evenly absorbed by the crumbs.2
  3. Pour the crumbs into the prepared pan.
  4. Use your hands or the bottom of a flat drinking glass to pat down into an even layer across the bottom of the pan and about halfway up the sides.3
  5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.4
  6. Place the crust on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.1
  7. Remove pan to a wire rack and let cool.

Step 2: Make the Filling

  1. (Creative Commons photo by Roland Tanglao)
    (Creative Commons photo by Roland Tanglao)
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.1
  2. Using a whisk, combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cream and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl.1
  3. Combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, spices and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, or use a large mixing bowl if you are using a hand mixer.
  4. Stir to mix.
  5. Add cream cheese to the sugar-and-spice mixture.
  6. Beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.1
  7. Scrape the sides of the bowl.5
  8. Turn the mixer down to medium and pour in the pumpkin mixture.
  9. Add the eggs, one at a time.6
  10. Beat the filling until smooth and creamy.7
    • -Be careful not to over mix. Beating too much air into your cheesecake filling will cause the cheesecake to crack when baking.8
  11. Pour the filling into the prepared, cooled crust and smooth the top with an offset spatula.1

Step 3: Bake and Cool

  1. Place the pan on a baking sheet.
  2. Bake in the center of a 350 degree F oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the cheesecake has almost set.8
  3. Turn off the oven and crack open the oven door. Leave the pumpkin cheesecake in the oven for an additional 30 minutes.6
  4. Remove cheesecake from oven and place on rack.
    • -The center of the cheesecake will now be set.8
  5. Run a paring knife between the cheesecake and the inside of the pan to loosen it but do not remove pan.10
  6. Let the cheesecake cool in the pan on a rack for 30 minutes.9
  7. Cover and refrigerate cheesecake for at least four to eight hours or overnight.5


Topping and Serving Suggestions

  1. Maple and pecans are great accents to complement the fall flavor of a pumpkin cheesecake. Try drizzling a Maple Pecan Glaze over your pumpkin cheesecake before serving.11
  2. Try topping your pumpkin cheesecake with a layer of sweet, nutty Almond Praline.3
  3. A lovely and striking topping for pumpkin cheesecake is a Cranberry Glaze.3
  4. For a simple but elegant garnish, place a dollop of whipped cream on each slice, drizzle with homemade or store-bought Caramel Sauce, and sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans.12

Variations

  • There are many ways to adapt the basic Pumpkin Cheesecake to give it your own signature flair. Try one of these variations:
  1. Replace a portion of the graham cracker crumbs with ground pecans or finely ground gingersnaps.5 13
  2. Add a subtle bourbon flavor to the filling mix.14
  3. Infuse the filling mix with a hint of brandy.9
  4. Try a Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake. With the addition of pure maple syrup to the filling and a maple glaze overtop, this version is a showstopper! 11
  5. Add a smooth and creamy Sour Cream Topping to your Pumpkin Cheesecake.3

More Recipes for Pumpkin Cheesecake

Traditional

Unusual

No Bake

Light

More Recipes for Crumb Crusts

Cookie Crusts

Nut Crusts

Gluten-Free

Other Graham-Cracker Crusts

Subscribe to Mahalo's Weekly How To Email Newsletter

  • Get our best How To tips and ideas in your inbox each week

References for How To Make Pumpkin Cheesecake

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Epicurious.com: Strawberry Topped Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust
  2. ↑ StartCooking.com: Graham Cracker Pie Crust
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Allrecipes.com: Making Crumb Crusts
  4. ↑ Martha Stewart: Pumpkin Cheesecake
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 JoyofBaking.com: Pumpkin Cheesecake
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 What's Cooking America: Baking a Perfect Cheesecake
  7. ↑ FoodNetwork.com: The Ultimate Cheesecake  WARNING: Pop-ups
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 YouTube: Pumpkin Cheesecake (Time: 9:05)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 BettyCrocker.com: Pumpkin Cheesecake
  10. ↑ LandOLakes: Praline Cheesecake with Hot Fudge Caramel Sauce
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 BHG.com: Maple Pecan Glaze
  12. ↑ VeryBestBaking.com: Recipe: Caramel Sauce
  13. ↑ Allrecipes.com: Pumpkin Cheesecake II
  14. ↑ Good Housekeeping: Pumpkin Cheesecake


Didn't find what you were looking for?

Ask a question about How to Make Pumpkin Cheesecake


110 characters left.