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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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
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

Ingredients
The Crust:
The Filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 15 oz can pumpkin pie mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp real vanilla extract
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
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Made it for my family and friends and it is SOO good everyone’s making it for their Thanksgiving!
TIP: this recipe makes 2 servings for premade crusts so cut in half for 1
Hello Allyson, that is fantastic! I’m so glad your family enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing that with us.
I pulled this out if the oven after the 45 minute cool down time and it has a crack in it as others noted, but seems more highly in center than expected. Will this set more once in the fridge?
That was supposed to say “jiggly” in the center, lol.
Hi Kerry, the crack could be due to over-baking, at times adjustments need to be made especially if your oven is not calibrated. Some ovens run hotter than others. You might try checking on the cheesecake a little earlier in the next go-around.
Hi Natasha,
This is the first time I’m following this recipe and so far the batter tastes amazing! My cake is currently in the oven and has 24 mins left, but I’m noticing it’s already starting to crack. My springform pan is dark which would conduct more heat — should the heat be turned off sooner than the full hour?
The Veronica, the crack could be due to over-baking, at times adjustments need to be made especially if your oven is not calibrated. Some ovens run hotter than others. You might try checking on the cheesecake a little earlier.
This is a great recipe, but you may want to edit to add that the springform pan should go on top of a sheet pan or something. I almost burned my kitchen down. The springform leaked all over the bottom of my stove and started burning and sending smoke through the house. I had to pull my cheesecake after only 30 minutes and ask my neighbor if I can use their oven to finish the cheesecake. All’s well that ends well.
Hi Atena, that is such a bummer – yikes! I’m glad it ended well. Did your springform open up in the oven? If it’s known to be loose, that is definitely a wise move with anything baked in that springform pan. Also, it definitely helps to have the crumbs going up the sides slightly which also helps to seal the pan and prevent leaks.
The best cheesecake ever, I lost the recipe that I made every year for thanksgiving, When I saw the reviews and the stars ✨ I told myself I have to try it. I am glad I did it, this is going to be my cheesecake recipe from now .
You won’t be disappointed ,
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
Hi Natasha! What is the drizzle you used on top?
Hi Samantha, we have it listed on the recipe card under there “Optional Toppings” section.
Hi Samantha, that is our homemade caramel sauce.
I just made this and pulled out of oven after the “45 minutes in oven with door open”. A crack in center as others mention, but seems a bit more “ jiggly” in center than expected. Should I bake more or let cool and hope it sets in fridge?
Hi Kerry, I would let it bake longer if it is too jiggly in the center.
Hi Kerry, I would let it bake longer if it is too jiggly in the center but a little jiggle is okay.
I accidentally bought Neufchatel cheese, and went ahead anyway (didn’t feel like going back out–and it’s 1/3 the fat)..Will this work even though its a softer cheese?
Hi Frank! I hope that works out for you! I haven’t tested this with Neufchatel cheese to advise if that will work, however. We would love to know how you like that!
I just measured my springform pan and its sides are 2 1/2”. Could I possibly get away with using it, or should I run out and get a pan with 3” sides?
Thanks!
Paula
Hi Paula, I think that would still work to use a 2 1/2″ pan, but I wouldn’t go smaller than a 9″ diameter pan at that height.
It is 9”. Can’t wait to taste it! Thank you!
Wish I could put a picture. It was so delicious, from the cheesecake to the caramel sauce to the whip cream. I followed the recipes exactly and it turned out beautifully. It will be on the table next Thanksgiving, as well.
I can imagine how beautiful it was! You can share some photos with us on our Facebook page via the comments section or you can do it too on our Facebook group. I would recommend joining if you haven’t yet.
We followed the recipe exactly and during the 45 min period with the oven off it formed cracks all over it. Really disappointed!
That said, it smells really good so hopefully the taste will make up for the sad looks.
Hi Jamie, The crack could be due to over-baking, at times adjustments need to be made especially if your oven is not calibrated. Some ovens run hotter than others. You might try checking on the cheesecake a little earlier in the next go-around.
I just finished mine too and it opened in the middle. Do you think it was undercooked? It did not look at cooked as yours on the photo. Sometimes people say it is because of the cream cheese not being room temperature. I let mine site before using it. Could it be it? It smells delicious but I was never able to make a cheesecake that didn’t crack. Any suggestions? My oven sucks though.
Also, mine seemed a bit more moist in the middle than the one showing in your picture. So I wonder if mine was undercooked?
Hi Sheila, make sure you fully chill before serving. Once it is fully chilled, it will set. You don’t want to serve it until it fully sets or it will seem looser. I wonder if your oven runs hotter which can cause it to rise too quickly and then crack. Also, make sure when beating the filling, that you don’t do it on too high of heat because air can incorporate into the filling and cause cracks.
I want to make this and have never made cheesecake before. My sister suggested a gingersnap crust. Would I just use gingersnaps instead of graham crackers and follow everything else?
Hi Julie, I have not tested this with gingersnap crust to advise. We LOVE it with a graham crust, but I’m curious how you like this recipe if you test it out with gingersnap.
Realizing I only have pumpkin puree.. any suggestions on how to adjust recipe to use this instead?
Hi Kate, we have made this with pumpkin puree and it still works. You can add a little extra spice to compensate.
Made the pumpkin cheesecake it was delicious but when it cane out if oven it had a huge crack on top going it more than one direction what did i do wrong i followed recipe as written
The crack could be due to over-baking. Some ovens run hotter than others. You might try checking on the cheesecake a little earlier in the next go-around.
Hello!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes! Does this cheesecake require a water bath?
Hello Brooke, you are welcome. 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.
Thank you Natasha! This was our 1st. try a making cheesecake. Your instructions are very well written! I finally chose not to use a water bath- just to see. As it cooled in oven, door ajar with spoon, it formed a delightful crack that looked like a big star, but this did not bother me at all; I chose not to make a topping, just a whip cream garnish. It was incredibly delicious! I didn’t purchase PPS, but made a batch instead:
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves-
* Some ppl. prefer Allspice or Mace instead of, or in addition to clove (Same amt).
We loved this Cheesecake recipe. It was absolutely delightful! Good bye Pumpkin Pie! (for this year anyway) & Hello Pumpkin Cheesecake! Thank you again for for sharing this recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Brooke! I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Hi Natasha! We love all of your recipes! I have learned so much from you. Thank you!
I am making this for Thanksgiving and I originally planned to make it with Libby’s Pure Pumpkin since that is how I make my pumpkin pies. If I add the seasonings called for on the back of the 15 oz. pumpkin can- 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. cloves, do you think that will be equally as good as using the pumpkin pie mix plus pumpkin spice? I have read through the comments multiple times, yet I am still unsure if I should go with the Pumpkin Pie Mix instead. Would I also need to add the 3/4 c. sugar? Thank you!!!
Hi Kristen, It’s definitely easiest to go with the canned pumpkin pie mix. That should work with the added seasoning and pumpkin puree as well. I would add a little more sugar since the canned pumpkin pie mix has more sugar in it.
I’m having issues with cake, it’s still jiggly. Put in oven longer but it rose more?? I don’t understand what is going on. I followed directions to the tee.
Hi Elaine, it should have just a slight jiggle in the center. I would bake longer if it were super jiggly at the end of baking. If you use a smaller pan, it will take longer since the cake would be taller in the pan.
Hi! Would this work in a pre-made Keebler 10 inch pie crust?
Can you please tell me how to adjust the baking time for making two pumpkin cheesecakes at the same time?
Thank you!
Hi Manuela, I haven’t tested that but you may need to rotate them halfway through baking.
This was delicious but I prefer a gingersnap crust which I used with wonderful results. Great pumpkin cheesecake recipe!
I’m happy you enjoeyd that! Thank you for sharing that with us!
I made this once already and loved it! But I think I over baked it just a little bit because I used at 10” springform pan. Do you have a recommended bake time for the cheesecake in a 10” pan?
Hi Allison, I haven’t tested this in a 10″ pan to advise, but yes, you will need to adjust your cook time. I would recommend watching it closely for the last ten minutes or so.
Hi! I really liked this recipe — I am an avid baker but this was my first time making cheesecake, so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but it came out lovely! I followed the recipe exactly, and while after cooling my cake does have a medium size crack or two, I am sure this won’t affect the taste and I plan to try the caramel sauce and whipped cream recipes for topping options. Next time, I may try making this and baking in a water bath in the over to prevent cracks, but overall I am really excited about this recipe and the final product. I also love that you list the ingredient quantities in the directions — that is super useful. My only question would be to get your thoughts on trying to sub in GF all-purpose flour in the filling mix? Thanks again!
Hi Julia, without testing it GF, it’s difficult to guess. I assume it would work, but again, I haven’t tested it. The crack could be due to over-baking. Some ovens run hotter than others. You might try checking on the cheesecake a little earlier in the next go-around.