Description
A creamy, spiced pumpkin cheesecake that tastes like fall in every bite—perfect for Thanksgiving or cozy autumn gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin.
- Mix crumbs with sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
- Press mixture into the bottom of a springform pan and slightly up the sides.
- Bake crust for 8 minutes, then cool completely.
- Lower oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat cream cheese and brown sugar until fluffy and smooth for about 5 minutes.
- In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, sour cream, flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Combine pumpkin mixture with cream cheese mixture on low speed until just blended.
- Pour filling into cooled crust and tap pan on counter to release air bubbles.
- Place a loaf pan of hot water on the oven rack beside cheesecake for steam.
- Bake 50–60 minutes, until edges are set but center slightly jiggles.
- Turn off oven, prop door open, and let cheesecake cool for 30 minutes.
- Run a knife around edges, cool at room temperature 2 hours, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth filling. Don't skip the water bath—it helps prevent cracks. If cracks appear, cover with whipped cream or caramel sauce. Cheesecake can be made ahead and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 110mg