Not so sure that pumpkin cheesecake is better than pumpkin pie? Test the waters with this classic recipe that has the perfect pumpkin-to-cheesecake ratio.

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This pumpkin cheesecake recipe is easy and has just the right amount of pumpkin flavor. It tastes exactly like a cheesecake that crossed paths with a pumpkin pie – the best of both worlds. The only thing difficult about this cheesecake is waiting for it to cool down so you could eat it!

This pumpkin cheesecake is delicious by itself but is just over-the-top impressive when you add some of that caramel sauce and rum-infused whipped cream. This is the perfect holiday dessert. It’s inspired by Fall, makes your home smell incredible, and will have your dinner guests humming with delight.

This pumpkin cheesecake recipe is easy and has just the right amount of pumpkin flavor @natashaskitchen

Pumpkin Cheesecake Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 12 whole graham crackers)
6 Tbsp (3/4 stick) melted, unsalted butter
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling:

3 (8-ounces each) packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (about 9 oz by weight) packed light brown sugar
15 oz canned pumpkin pie mix (use half of the 30 oz can)
4 large eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour *measured correctly
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or make your own)
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp real vanilla extract

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Optional Pumpkin Cheesecake Toppings:

1 cup of cold heavy cream beat with 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp rum or vanilla
Pumpkin pie spice to dust
Toasted pecans
Caramel sauce – this 8-minute recipe will rock your cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-2

How to Make a Pie Crust:

Preheat Oven to 350˚F.
1. Pulse graham crackers in a food processor until fine crumbs form.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 6 Tbsp melted butter. Transfer into a 9-inch springform pan with 3″ tall walls and use a large spoon to press crumbs into the bottom of your springform pan, and going about 1/2″ up the sides of the pan. Bake at 350˚F for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temp.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-8

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-3

How to make the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling:

Preheat Oven to 350˚F.
1. In the bowl of your mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the 3 packages of softened cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar on med speed until light and fluffy and without lumps (5 min), scraping down the bowl once to make sure you don’t have chunks of cream cheese. Tip: brown sugar is considered “packed” when it holds it’s shape as it comes out of the measuring cup.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-9

Have a taste of this cream cheese frosting. It would make a super yummy frosting actually! Just don’t eat too much. You need it for your cheesecake.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-4

2. In a separate bowl, using  a whisk, stir together 15 oz pumpkin pie mix, 4 large eggs, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 Tbsp flour, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Add this mixture to the cheesecake filling and continue mixing on low speed just until well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-10

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-11

3. Transfer filling into pre-baked crust and bake on the middle rack at 350˚F for 1 hour. Turn off heat, prop the oven door open slightly with a wooden spoon and let cheesecake sit in the oven another 45 min. Then remove from the oven and let cool to room temp before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerating. Serve when fully chilled (at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, or overnight).

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-12

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-5

4. Before serving, carefully remove cheesecake from springform pan by running a blunt knife along the sides of the cheesecake to release from the springform mold. Add desired toppings (see list above) and serve

This pumpkin cheesecake recipe is easy and has just the right amount of pumpkin flavor @natashaskitchen

To Make the Whipped Cream:

Tip: Freeze mixing bowl for 10 minutes to get the best whipped cream results.

1. In a cold mixing bowl, add 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream, 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp rum or vanilla. Beat on high speed until fluffy and spreadable. Don’t over-beat or it will turn buttery. It only takes less than 2 min to make fresh whipped cream.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe-6

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

4.96 from 1099 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Not so sure that pumpkin cheesecake is better than pumpkin pie? Test the waters with this classic recipe that has the perfect pumpkin-to-cheesecake ratio.
This pumpkin cheesecake recipe is easy and has just the right amount of pumpkin flavor. It tastes exactly like a cheesecake that crossed paths with a pumpkin pie - the best of both worlds. This pumpkin cheesecake is delicious by itself but is just over-the-top impressive when you add some of that caramel sauce and rum-infused whipped cream. This is the perfect holiday dessert.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Chilling Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 slices

The Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, from about 12 whole graham crackers
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

The Filling:

Optional Toppings:

  • 1 cup cold heavy cream beat with 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp rum or vanilla
  • Pumpkin pie spice to dust
  • Toasted pecans
  • Caramel sauce

Instructions

How to Make the Crust: Preheat Oven to 350˚F.

  • Pulse graham crackers in a food processor until fine crumbs form.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 6 Tbsp melted butter. Transfer into a 9-inch springform pan with 3" tall walls and use a large spoon to press crumbs into the bottom of your springform pan, and going about 1/2" up the sides of the pan. Bake at 350˚F for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temp.

How to make the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling: Preheat Oven to 350˚F.

  • In the bowl of your mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the 3 packages of softened cream cheese and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar on med speed until light and fluffy and without lumps (5 min), scraping down the bowl once to make sure you don't have chunks of cream cheese. Tip: brown sugar is considered "packed" when it holds it's shape as it comes out of the measuring cup.
  • Have a taste of this cream cheese frosting. It would make a super yummy frosting actually! Just don't eat too much. You need it for your cheesecake.
  • In a separate bowl, using a whisk, stir together 15 oz pumpkin pie mix, 4 large eggs, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 Tbsp flour, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Add this mixture to the cheesecake filling and continue mixing on low speed just until well combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • Transfer filling into pre-baked crust and bake on the middle rack at 350˚F for 1 hour or until slightly wobbly in the center. Turn off heat, prop the oven door open slightly with a wooden spoon and let cheesecake sit in the oven another 45 min. Then remove from the oven and let cool to room temp before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerating. Serve when fully chilled (at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, or overnight).
  • Before serving, carefully remove cheesecake from springform pan by running a blunt knife along the sides of the cheesecake to release from the springform mold. Add desired toppings (see list above) and serve.

To Make the Whipped Cream:

  • Tip: Freeze mixing bowl for 10 minutes to get the best whipped cream results.
  • In a cold mixing bowl, add 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream, 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp rum or vanilla. Beat on high speed until fluffy and spreadable. Don't over-beat or it will turn buttery. It only takes less than 2 min to make fresh whipped cream.

Nutrition Per Serving

565kcal Calories59g Carbs8g Protein34g Fat19g Saturated Fat160mg Cholesterol547mg Sodium255mg Potassium4g Fiber39g Sugar4766IU Vitamin A2mg Vitamin C144mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
565
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
34
g
52
%
Saturated Fat
 
19
g
119
%
Cholesterol
 
160
mg
53
%
Sodium
 
547
mg
24
%
Potassium
 
255
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
59
g
20
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
39
g
43
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
4766
IU
95
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
144
mg
14
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pumpkin Cheesecake
Skill Level: Easy/Medium
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 565
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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This pumpkin cheesecake recipe is easy and has just the right amount of pumpkin flavor @natashaskitchen

4.96 from 1099 votes (824 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  • Nancy
    November 7, 2020

    Hi! I’ve made this 2 times and it is amazing, everyone loved it! Do you think I can make them as mini cheesecakes and use the temperature and timing you use in you mini cheesecake recipe?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 7, 2020

      Hi Nancy, I haven’t tested this as mini cheesecakes but I think you’re on the right track! If you experiment please let me know how you like that.

      Reply

      • KW
        November 25, 2020

        Thank you for this delicious recipe — I can’t wait to serve it for dessert on Thanksgiving. I, too, used a pie dish and thus had a good amount of filling left over. I spooned the leftover filling into small ramekins and cooked them in a bath in a baking dish at 325 for 45 minutes and then let them sit in the cracked oven for another 20 minutes. They are incredible!

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          November 25, 2020

          Great idea! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!

          Reply

  • Lynn
    November 3, 2020

    I’d like to try this recipe with fresh cooked pumpkin, not the mix. Any suggestions for tweeking it to incorporate the cooked pumpkin?

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      November 4, 2020

      Hi Lynn, we prefer the canned for this dessert because it is more concentrated and forms better. If using homemade, be sure it is really well drained.

      Reply

      • Sarah
        November 4, 2020

        You can thoroughly drain fresh pumpkin using cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer.

        Reply

  • Nina
    November 2, 2020

    Tastes delicious but the cheesecake cracked during the baking and cooling process. Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 2, 2020

      Hi Nina, There could be several reasons why it could have cracked, but it’s definitely ok even if it did crack. It will not affect the flavor of the cheesecake.

      Reply

      • Lisa Carter
        November 7, 2020

        Can’t you do a water bath or steak bath to prevent cracking?

        Reply

        • Lisa Carter
          November 7, 2020

          I mean steam bath not steak bath. Lol

          Reply

          • Rory
            November 25, 2020

            Anyone use fat free cream cheese for this recipe? Curious if that changes the taste/consistency at all?

          • Natasha
            November 25, 2020

            Hi Rory, I have only tested it with regular cream cheese. I think it’s worth testing but haven’t tried myself.

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          November 8, 2020

          Hi Lisa, I don’t do the water bath for this one and haven’t had any issues. If you prefer to have some moisture in the oven, you can add a metal pan (like a bread pan half full with hot water) and place it on a rack while the cake is baking.

          Reply

  • Soo
    October 31, 2020

    I like your cake 🎂 👍Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 1, 2020

      I’m glad you do. Thank you!

      Reply

  • Amy Cousins
    October 31, 2020

    Hi! I’m making this today for a dinner party
    Do you think I can add in some mini chocolate chips? Or will that ruin the cake?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 31, 2020

      Hi Amy, it’s hard to say how that will take or work texture-wise without testing it. If you happen to experiment I would love to know how you like that.

      Reply

  • Audrey Chadwick
    October 29, 2020

    Hi Natasha, I would love to make this cheesecake. It looks yummy and the caramel sauce looks easy. My question is, can I use a 15 oz. can of pumpkin instead of the canned pumpkin pie?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 30, 2020

      Hi Audrey, that will still work. I hope you love the pumpkin cheesecake!

      Reply

  • Carol McCarthy
    October 29, 2020

    I live in Australia. Can you tell me what can replace the tin of pumpkin pie mix. I have never heard of it.
    Thanks Carol

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 29, 2020

      Hi Carol, I would use a good pumpkin puree. It doesn’t have to be pumpkin pie mix which is essentially seasoned pumpkin puree.

      Reply

  • Natalia
    October 28, 2020

    hi, do you think i could use 2 8-oz blocks of cream cheese instead of 3? my homemade cheesecake recipe only uses 2 and it turns out perfectly- is there any risk in consistency for not adding a third?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 29, 2020

      Hi Natalia, I haven’t tested it with only two but I imagine it would make a smaller cheesecake.

      Reply

  • Lily
    October 28, 2020

    Wow. This looks amazing. My whole family are huge fans of pumpkin things. I can’t wait to see what new Christmas recipes you post too! Also, I love how funny you are in your recipe videos, my 7 yr. old sister had a laugh.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 28, 2020

      Hello Lily, same here we love pumpkin recipes and I hope to do more of it soon! Thanks for always watching my videos, I’m glad your 7-year-old sis is also enjoying them!

      Reply

  • Karen Henderson
    October 28, 2020

    Cheesecake to die for! Made this yesterday as a trial run for Thanksgiving. Wow. Wow. Wow. Can you tell we loved it? I used pumpkin puree made from homegrown pumpkin.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 28, 2020

      Fantastic! So happy to hear that you loved this cheesecake, Karen. Thank you!

      Reply

  • Kathy
    October 25, 2020

    Do I need to use a water bath method for this?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 25, 2020

      Hi Kathy, I don’t do the water bath for this one and haven’t had any issues. If you prefer to have some moisture in the oven, you can add a metal pan (like a bread pan half full with hot water) and place it on a rack while the cake is baking.

      Reply

  • Ruth
    October 25, 2020

    I am so excited to try this! Especially now that it is fall! I have been looking for a perfect pumpkin cheesecake recipe and I could always go to your channel and find what I need thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 25, 2020

      Hello Ruth, you are so welcome. I hope this becomes a favorite for you!

      Reply

  • Wendy Hamilton
    October 23, 2020

    Hi Natasha, hope all is well with you and your beautiful family. I have a question about the pumpkin cheesecake, can you use pure pumpkin from a can or real pumpkin straight from a pumpkin, as opposed to pumpkin pie filling from a can.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 23, 2020

      Hi Wendy, Canned pumpkin puree will work great!

      Reply

  • Matilde
    October 22, 2020

    Hi!

    Do you have a recipe for a pumpkin pie? Or can you recommend one?
    I tried the apple pie and it was fantastic.
    Thank you !

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 22, 2020

      Hi Matilde, I don’t have a pumpkin pie recipe posted yet but I am working on one and will post it once it’s perfected.

      Reply

  • Aubrey
    October 18, 2020

    Do you have to use pumpkin pie mix? Or can i just use pumpkin puree…

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 19, 2020

      Hi Aubrey, Canned pumpkin puree will work great!

      Reply

  • Jennifer Pinon
    October 18, 2020

    Can I make these into cupcake tins? If so how would I bake them?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      October 18, 2020

      Hi Jennifer, I haven’t tested these as mini cupcakes. Here is our mini-cheesecake recipe.

      Reply

      • Jennifer Pinon
        October 18, 2020

        Yes I have made your mini cheesecakes. They were a hit! Even had someone say best cheesecake they’ve ever tasted. But I was hoping to make a pumpkin version for our upcoming Halloween/anniversary party. Cupcakes are easier to grab at a party then slicing a cake. P.S. I’m also going to make your chocolate cupcakes for those who can’t eat pumpkin. 😁

        Reply

        • Lisa C
          October 22, 2020

          I was thinking of doing mini pumpkin cheesecakes too for ease! How did the mini cupcakes turn out? Did you have to make adjustments with this recipe?

          Reply

  • Shar
    October 12, 2020

    I just made it and it’s cracked in the middle. Does it mean it is over cooked?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 12, 2020

      Hi Shar, There could be several reasons why it could have cracked, but it’s definitely ok even if it did crack. It will not affect the flavor of the cheesecake

      Reply

    • Jen
      October 20, 2020

      Mine cracked too!

      Reply

      • Deb
        November 19, 2020

        Mine cracked too!

        Reply

  • Irene
    October 12, 2020

    This is a great recipe, was delicious and everyone loved it. I made it for Canadian Thanksgiving. I did cover the bottom of the pan with foil and placed it on a rimmed sheet with water to prevent it from cracking. Came out perfectly.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 12, 2020

      Fantastic! Thank you so much, Irene for sharing your good experience with this recipe. I hope you love all the other recipes that you will try.

      Reply

    • Aldyth Kougias
      November 19, 2020

      The first time I cooked it, it came out perfect. 2nd time it cracked, and re-evaluated what I did differently, and realized I over beat the batter, which causes too much air in the batter and then causes the cracks. The only problem I’ve been having is the pumpkin cheese cake sticking to the sides. I’m waiting for a response from Natasha of what I can do. Anyone have any suggestions. I’m thinking of putting a little butter on the inside of the release sides.

      Reply

      • Shelley
        November 23, 2020

        For my cheesecakes I make a collar and put it around the inside of the pan using parchment paper and it works good.

        Reply

  • Lark Jackson
    October 11, 2020

    It would be really nice if you would put the nutrition facts with each of the recipes that you share.

    Reply

    • Whitney White
      October 24, 2020

      It’s cheesecake. If you’re worried about nutrition, then cheesecake isn’t for you.

      Reply

  • Tracy Arden
    October 11, 2020

    This recipe is amazing!! I made it with the caramel sauce and whipped cream and my kids and husband absolutely loved it. This is definitely a keeper, will be doing it again at Christmas!

    Reply

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