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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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Loved this recipe!!!
Everyone loved it!
Question- can you freeze this cheesecake?
Hi Ann, Generally, cheesecakes freeze well; however, I haven’t tested that with this recipe. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe!
Made this for TG this year & it was a hit. Absolutely delicious! Thank you, Natasha for a wonderful recipe that will become a staple on my holiday menu going forward ☺️ The only things I did differently, and they are minor, I created a small water bath for added moisture in the oven & made sure all cold ingredients were brought to room temp first. Other than that it was a very easy recipe to make, my husband said “it’s the best thing you ever made!” Try it, you won’t be disappointed!
I’m so glad you found a new favorite on our blog Jenya!! That’s just awesome!
This recipe came out so amazingly!!! I only had pumpkin purée, so I used that but added an extra 1 1/2 tsp of the pumpkin pie spice. Everyone said the cheesecake was amazing and they said they loved it!! Though I was a bit sad that there were cracks on my cheesecake but hey, it all goes to the same place 🙂 thank you for this recipe!!!
Hi Tiffany, the cracks could occur due to many different reasons, from over beating to over baking, but that should not impact the flavor. I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Natasha, your recipes never disappoint! This pumpkin cheesecake was incredible. Perfect hint of pumpkin and creaminess. So so delicious I was amazed!! The crust stuck to the springform pan I used though. Any suggestions? Do I use Pam spray before putting the graham cracker mix in? Thank you for this recipe! My family and I loved it so much!
Hi Ashley, normally it shouldn’t stick if the springform is non-stick and also has the same amount of butter. If you are still having trouble, you can line the bottom with a ring of parchment paper which will make it easier to transfer.
This cheesecake was amazing! This was my first time making a cheesecake and it turned out amazing, my whole family loved it. I do have a question for you Natasha, is there any difference I would do if I choose it make individual size cheesecakes?
Hi Lindsey! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! We have these mini cheesecake recipes we made, I haven’t tested this recipe with mini cheesecakes, but I imagine the steps would be very similar.
This was the perfect pumkin cheesecake and so easy to make! It will now be replacing pumpkin pie at our holiday dessert table!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
It was done way before time, leaked butter all over the oven with constant smoke coming out. I followed all directions exactly. Also got brown almost burned looking before time was up. I bake cheesecake for a living and I’d say wrap bottom in foil and adjust oven temp to 325 for 1 hour and watch it.
It sounds like maybe your oven was too hot. Make sure to bake on regular convectional oven mode and not convection.
Made it for Thanksgiving and it was really good! I didn’t do any of the toppings, but I may try that with the left over cheesecake! Thanks for the recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Carmen!
What do you think of using spiced rum instead of regular rum for the sauce? Has anyone tried this?
I have not tried that but it sure sounds yummy! Let me know what you think
Thank you for sharing this recipe, my first pumpkin cheesecake, turned out delicious, it was a hit with the family, everybody went for another piece…excellent!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
I made this for Thanksgiving this year, and it was my first time making a cheesecake (and a graham cracker crust). I was so happy with how it turned out! It’s like a dense pumpkin pie. My husband loved it too. I did get the crack in the middle, but that didn’t bother me too much. Thank you for posting such an easy-to-follow recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Amanda!
First time making a cheesecake, rave reviews from the whole family! Thank you for your recipes and fun spirit. Happy holidays to you and your family!
You are most welcome, Stephanie. Great job in making an awesome cheesecake on your first try!
Natasha, thank you SO MUCH for this! I had a fear of cheesecakes because I thought they were too complicated, but this came out perfectly!
For all those wondering, they come out PERFECT as mini cheesecakes! 15 minute bake time at 350 degrees, no need to bake the crust. Thanks again!
Hello Savannah, nice one, and great job for making a perfect cheesecake! Thanks for giving this recipe a try too.
Hi Natasha, would fat free cream cheese work for this recipe? Thanks!!
Hi Rory, I have only tested it with regular cream cheese. I think it’s worth testing but haven’t tried myself.
This was the BEST cheesecake I have ever made; it looked fabulous, and tasted even better. The Caramel Sauce was the perfect topping.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
I just made this cheesecake the second time in two weeks (Friendsgiving & Thanksgiving). The first time, it had a pretty large crack, which I was bummed about but just covered up with the caramel topping. I got the most overwhelmingly positive response when everyone tried it. The second time I made it, I had a nicer oven and also used a water bath and zero cracks occurred. I definitely recommend a water bath whenever making a cheesecake. It helps to eliminate cracking and I think it helps it stay extra creamy.
I’m so excited to eat it again. I know it will be just as incredible the second time. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for that feedback Gabrielle! I’m happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Just made this for thanksgiving tomorrow. It smells delicious but I have yet to taste it. However, I did try the batter and MMM mmm! We shall see tomorrow for the final verdict.
I did read all the comments before starting and followed the recipe to a T except I turned my cake throughout the cooking time because I have a gas oven which does not always cook evenly.
I was very cautious cause I was trying to avoid the insufferable “crack” that everyone seems to experience. When it was done baking, I managed to avoid the crack! However, I left the cake in the oven as recommended with the wooden spoon wedging the door open and turning the oven off… and well, a crack appeared shortly afterward. I wish I would have just taken the cake out of the oven.
I redid this recipe to test it out, and my second cake did not have a crack after checking it frequently (since ovens vary) then removing it from the oven instead of leaving it in there.
I’m sure the dessert is going to be delicious and I can’t wait! But presentation matters especially during the holidays so that’s why I docked it a star.
Hi Triss, I’m glad you figured it out to have that perfect crack-free presentation for the future. Different ovens can be finicky. Happy Thanksgiving!
Have you tried a water bath? Basically, you would put your springform pan into a larger one. You pour enough water in to where it would come up half way to the smaller pan. Put in the oven like that. It avoids the crack.
Delicious! The top did crack but a little whipped cream hid that when served. I will make this again and again!
Ruth, thank you for the nice review and for making the recipe 😀
I tried this recipe for the first time today. I made two, and put them to bake at the same time. At the end of the hour, though, they were still jiggly in the center, and had a few cracks. They puffed up then de-puffed. Any suggestions?
Hi Natalia, it should be slightly wobbly in the center but shouldn’t seem overly loose. If it is very wobbly, I would keep baking for another 5 minutes or so.
Just Realized I left out the sour cream..yikes. Do you think it will make a huge difference. Its already cooling down and looks great.
Hi Sierra, I think it will still taste great. And I’m glad it looks great. Happy Thanksgiving!
Should the filling go to only the rim of the crust or the pan?
Hi Rosie, the crust goes only about 1/2″ up the sides of the pan and the filling will go beyond that as shown in the prep pictures above. I hope that helps.
Hello. I may be the first male to comment here. I just got done making this to take to my daughters house for Thanksgiving. Pumpkin cheesecake is her favorite so I want to surprise her with it. My question is concerning doneness. It looks done but the very center on the top is kind of “gooey”. Will that firm up after refrigerating it?
Hi Ron, I would let it bake longer if it is too jiggly in the center but a little jiggle is okay and it should set in the fridge.
It wasn’t so much jiggly as it was a very thin layer of “sticky” cheesecake goo. It firmed up after cooling more so I am hoping for the best. I will comment after we cut it up and eat it after dinner today.
It was a success! Everyone loved it and cooked just right. Thank You. This was my very first attempt at making cheesecake!
Fantastic! I am so happy to hear that and great to you, Ron.