Thick, rich, and delicious! This Pumpkin Cheesecake is the perfect addition to your fall celebrations! This recipe comes together easily and is sure to impress friends and family. No one can resist a glorious cheesecake flavored with pumpkin!
Pumpkin Cheesecake
So what is Fall without pumpkin? You see all these pumpkin pie recipes out there and pumpkin cakes, well I felt like I wanted to do something a little different and went the route of a Pumpkin Cheesecake! And I’m so happy that I did, this cheesecake is seriously so delish! If you love this cheesecake, don’t miss my Perfect Cheesecake recipe!
Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
I love a decadent crust with all my cheesecakes so I chose to use a tad more butter and sugar than most. You can certainly use your favorite graham crackers crust if you would like!
The rest of this recipe is fairly simple! There are 8 easy ingredients, one of them being sour cream. This may seem unconventional, but it adds something amazing to the flavor and texture of this decadent cheesecake. If you would prefer you can use a Pumpkin Spice mix in place of the individual spices.
Finish this cheesecake with mounds of whipped cream and sprinkled with pecans, this Pumpkin Cheesecake puts all those other pumpkin desserts to shame.
This velvety goodness is one of my new go-to fall treats!
What is the Difference Between Pure Pumpkin vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling?
Canned pumpkin is just pumpkin in a can. There should be no seasoning, spice, flavoring, or sugar added. Pumpkin Pie filling has spices and flavoring already added and is sweeter.
This Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe calls for PURE PUMPKIN, meaning that we want to control the spices as well as the sweetness.
Do You Need a Springform Pan for Pumpkin Cheesecake?
What is a springform pan? A springform pan is a type of cake pan that’s made in two separate parts that work together. There is a base and a removable ring that fits perfectly around the base. When the ring is attached to the base it is a complete cake pan that functions like any other cake pan. Although you do not need a springform pan for this recipe, I do recommend it.
How Do You Know When Pumpkin Cheesecake is Done?
I do a few different things to check the doneness of my Pumpkin Cheesecake.
The first is to use a sharp paring knife. Just insert it into the center of the cheesecake and if it comes out CLEAN, it is done. (You can also use this method to check pumpkin pie!)
There is also the ole “jiggle” test. My grandma says, “It should jiggle like jello but not wiggle like waves.” I usually use the jiggle test when the cheesecake looks done, as in it is darker around the edges and has puffed up ever so slightly. If the center has cracked that is also a good indication that it is done, and if you happen to see a crack don’t fear! Just cover the top with whipped topping and no one will know. 🙂
Always make sure your cheesecake is completely cooled before serving. Cheesecakes usually continue to cook even after out of the oven, so chilling for the full 8 hours is recommended.
More Cheesecake Recipes
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 2½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup to 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (I prefer 3/4 cup for a moist and dense crust, some commenter’s prefer less)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt, divided
Pumpkin Cheesecake
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 pounds (four 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin
- 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Whipped cream
- Chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
Crust
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Spray a 10-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray and wrap the bottom with tin foil.
- In a large bowl mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, ¼ cup of the sugar and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, then remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
- In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. (You can also use a stand mixer)
- Add 2½ cups sugar and mix well.
- Beat in the sour cream, then add the pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, 1 teaspoon salt and the spices and mix until just combined.
- Pour into the cooled crust.
- Place your pan into a roasting pan and fill halfway with water.
- Bake for about 1 hour 45 minutes the turn off the oven and open the door to let out some heat then close again and leave the cheesecake in the oven for about an hour.
- Remove from oven and out of the roasting pan and let cool to room temp.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove cheesecake from springform and top with dollops of whipped cream and chopped pecans. (optional)
Video
Did you make this recipe?
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I have a question regarding the crust. Could you use crushed ginger snaps for the crust and omit all or part of the sugar? I have seen a recipe for a cheesecake using crushed ginger snaps for crust, but cannot locate it. Thanks
Yes, you could do that Beverly. 🙂
I baked this once and it came out perfect. I have now tried recreating this recipe twice more and I get water through the foil and into my springform pan! Any suggestions? Does the cheesecake need to be directly in the water or can I put the water on the bottom shelf for steam? Help!
You can absolutely make it without the water bath. So sorry that has happened to you!! If you do it without the bath it might crack but you can easily cover that up with whipped cream! <3
My first attempt at a cheesecake cake and apparently
I hit a home run with this resipe
It was absolutely outstanding
Thanks for making me look good
I’ve made this twice so far. The first time it came out perfect. The second time , for some reason it will not cook completely. I have even put it back in the oven for an additional 45 minutes. The top and sides are almost burnt but the middle will not cook and I can not figure out why.
Bonjour est ce qu’il existe ou existera t’il une version en français ? car quel dommage de ne pouvoir avoir accès à ses délicieuses recettes !
Hi Amanda, I love your Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe. I wanted to do a marbled or swirled effect with this recipe. Should I follow the recipe but before adding the pumpkin and spices reserve about 1 1/2 cups of the batter and then mix the pumpkin and spices in the original mixing bowl? Then use the plain for the swirl. Does this make sense? Merry Christmas 🎄♥️
I have a similar recipe from a food network magazine. It’s called almost famous pumpkin cheesecake. Love it.
I am planning to make this for Thanksgiving this year – can this cheesecake be frozen (to transport to family’s house several hours away), and then thawed?
I made this last year and it was the best!!! but I was wondering how can incorporate this into mini cupcake pan cheesecake.
My question is. I set my cream cheese out to get to room temperature. I creamed it as directed. Followed the recipe to a T. When it came time to pour into the prepared springform pan. I noticed lumps of cream cheese in the Pumpkin mixture. I got those out before baking. Do you know what or why the cream cheese to blend in as i mixed everything together? Thanks