Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 1 min
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Additional Time
6 hrs
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Total Time
7 hrs 31 mins
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Servings
1 9" Cheesecake
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
American, Australian
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Description
This Pumpkin Cheesecake starts with a classic graham cracker crust made from crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter, pressed firmly into a springform pan and partially baked. The filling combines softened cream cheese and sour cream with eggs, pumpkin puree, brown and granulated sugars, and a blend of warm spices. The addition of a small amount of flour stabilizes the batter, and vanilla extract enhances flavor.
Baking this cheesecake in a water bath helps maintain even moisture and prevent cracks, while the low oven temperature encourages a smooth, set filling with a tender texture. The mix of spices gives a nuanced pumpkin pie taste layered with creamy tanginess.
Once baked and cooled, this cheesecake can be topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream for added richness and a light contrast. It's ideal as a festive dessert for autumn gatherings or holidays where pumpkin flavors are welcome.
Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (113g) butter melted, unsalted
For the Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 ounce pacakages (454g) cream cheese very soft, full-fat brick-style
- 1 and 1/2 cups (340g) sour cream room temperature, full-fat
- 3 large egg room temperature, large
- 2 large egg room temperature, yolk
- 1 ounce can pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup (159g) light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (149g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 and 1/2 Tablespoons (35g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Make the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Lightly spray a 9" springform pan with non-stick baking spray. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with heavy duty extra wide aluminum foil. Several diligent layers ensure no water creeps through when you place the pan in the water bath. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Mix well.
- Press the crust into the prepared pan, pressing the crust down firmly and slightly up the sides. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes. Place partially baked crust on a cooling rack and set aside while you prepare the filling. Reduce the oven to 325 degrees (F).
Make the filling:
- In a very large bowl using a hand held mixer, beat the cream cheese and sour cream until completely smooth, scraping the bowl as needed.
- Add the eggs, egg yolks, pumpkin puree, sugars, and spices, and beat on low speed until just combined. Don’t over mix here or the batter will rise and fall in the oven!
- Add flour and vanilla and beat on low for another 30 seconds, or until flour has completely disappeared into the batter. Don't over mix!
- Pour the filling into the crust, and spread evenly, smoothing the top. Place the springform pan into a large baking pan (with high sides) and fill the pan with 3 inches of hot water; this is your water bath.
- Place the cheesecake in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 300 degrees and continue baking for another 55 minutes.
- Turn the oven off but let the cheesecake sit, undisturbed inside the oven with the door shut, for 45 minutes. The cheesecake should still be slightly wiggly.
- Remove cheesecake from the oven, and run a knife very gently around the edge of the cake. Place the pumpkin cheesecake on a cooling rack and cool completely, then loosely cover the pan with saran wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
Make the Whipped Cream:
- In a large chilled bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed, adding in the confectioners’ sugar a tablespoon at a time, until medium stiff peaks form. Add in the vanilla and beat for another minute or so. Swirl or dollops on top of cheesecake slices right before serving.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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