This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
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
.
Just tried this recipe and mine cracked like the Grand Canyon.
Hi Troy, Bummer, although thankfully it won’t affect the flavor and can be hidden with whipped cream. A couple of things could have caused that – make sure to bake on conventional mode and not convection. Also, make sure to mix the mixture at the recommended speed. Whipping on too of speed can incorporate too much air and cause cracks.
Happened to me as well. I found this on how to fix the crack but as Natasha mentioned you can cover it with whipped cream
Mine didn’t Crack. I put my spring pan on a deep cookie sheet and add water half way. It works everytime!
Thank you for sharing! Did you keep the baking times and temps the same? Also, was the water hot when you added it to the pan?
It totally cracked on the top. How do you prevent that? I haven’t cut in to it yet.
Hi Rae, I haven’t had that experience, but a couple of things could have caused that – make sure to bake on conventional mode and not convection. Also, make sure to mix the mixture at the recommended speed. Whipping on too of speed can incorporate too much air and cause cracks.
Thank you so much for replying! You are probably right. I probably mixed it too long! I bet it is gonna still be good on Thanksgiving😊
This happened to me too, and then I realized – always bake cheesecake In A water bath, even if the recipe doesn’t call for it.
Hi! The recipe calls for pumpkin pie mix. Is that different than a can of Libby’s pumkpkin?
Hi Liz, they will both work in this recipe.
Hi Natasha! I’m looking forward to making your pumpkin cheesecake today for Thanksgiving tomorrow! Like some other commenters, I got regular pureed pumpkin rather than the pumpkin pie mix. I didn’t see if you mentioned in previous comments, do you think I need to add any additional pumpkin pie spice or sugar or is it fine to substitute as is? Thanks!!
Hi Becky, you can add more spice if you want to but it is not necessary and the pumpkin cheesecake will still work. I have tested with both and I did not add more sugar when using pumpkin puree, just make sure it’s a good puree like Libby’s which is very concentrated and my favorite for baking.
I’ve made this pumpkin cheesecake every year for 4 years now! It’s ALWAYS a hit at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’ve tried other people’s recipes along with restaurants, and this is by far the best I’ve ever had.
I left a review in 2017 but I had to come back for the recipe and show some more love.
Thank you again, Natasha!
You definitely have a holiday favorite, Michaela! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
And thanks to Michaela, this is the second year I am making it!
That’s wonderful!
Have this in the oven now and I hope it turns out good! I’m Making it for thanksgiving! The center was still a little jiggly but I’m going with the directions and hopefully it will be done! Can’t wait to try!
Once it sets, it will be so good! I hope you love this recipe, Sarah!
Hi Natasha! Just wondering about the calorie info – does that include the caramel sauce? Do you know what the count will be with out it? I just know someone is going to ask me if I make this. Thanks!
Hi Val, the pumpkin cheesecake nutrition label includes the 1 cup of heavy whipping cream for the topping but does not include any of the other optional toppings. It does not include the caramel sauce.
How many days ahead can you make the pumpkin cheesecake?
Thank you
Hi Diane, It can definitely be refrigerated for several days. I recommend not adding any toppings until the day of, however.
Hello! Is it possible to do this recipe as mini pumkin cheesecakes? If so does it change the length of time and heat it needs to be baked at? Suggestions?
Hi Michelle, I haven’t tested this as minis, but we do have regular mini cheesecakes posted, which might be a good reference if you experiment.
I have made this cheesecake time and again with rave reviews from friends. I know the recipe calls for a 9 inch springform pan but can it also be made in a 7 inch pan, and if so, do I need to alter the quantity of ingredients and/or the baking time? This will be the star of our Thanksgiving feast!
Hi Laurie, without testing that in a 7-inch pan, it is difficult to advise on it. I imagine you will need to adjust the recipe to fit one pan.
If I half the filling recipe, should I half the baking time? I’m thinking of making this recipe as a base and adding a pumpkin mousse on top.
Hi Pat, I haven’t tried that to advise on the bake time change. It shouldn’t change by much, though. If you happen to experiment, I’d love to know how you like it!
I love this recipe, it turned out great!!!
I was wondering if I can use this recipe to make mini cheesecakes instead of one big one?
Hi Teairra, I haven’t tested this as minis, but we do have regular mini cheesecakes posted which might be a good reference if you experiment.
Can I use pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie mix when making the cheese cake?
Hi Sue, you can use plain pumpkin puree to substitute and it will still work. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I ended up getting a large T shaped crack in the top while happened during the 45 mins when the oven was off. Do you know what can cause this? I still have to make another one for Thanksgiving and want to avoid the crack of I can. Thanks!
Hi Leigh, I haven’t had that experience, but a couple of things could have caused that – make sure to bake on conventional mode and not convection. Also, make sure to mix the mixture at the recommended speed. Whipping on too of speed can incorporate too much air and cause cracks.
I absolutely love this recipe turned out perfectly!!!
Was wondering if I can use this recipe to make mini cheesecakes?
I’m so glad you loved it! I think that will be okay but I honestly haven’t tried that yet to advise on the measurements and timing. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
I don’t have a paddle attachment for my mixer does that matter? How many days in advance of Thanksgiving can I make this?
Hi Josie, the reason for the paddle attachment is so that it doesn’t incorporate too many air bubbles into the batter, which can cause the cheesecake to crack. Be careful not to beat on too high of a speed. I hope you love it!
Natasha this looks yummy and I am looking forward to making it for Thanksgiving . I noticed that you are using a dark coated pan for the cheesecake. I usually dial back 25 degrees when using a coated pan. Should I bake at 325 degrees if using a coated pan?
Hi Joanne, it worked perfectly in that pan for my cheesecake! I hope you love this recipe!
Natasha, this looks amazing and I am wanting to add this as one of my deserts that I am bringing to our Thanksgiving get together this year. We are traveling about an hour and a half. do you think this would be alright and how would you recommend doing so. Thanks!!
HI Nancy, that should be fine if it’s going straight from the fridge and kept out of the sun. If you can keep it in a cooler that’s even better. Make sure to refrigerate right away when you get to your destination and definitely add freshly whipped cream just before serving. Pre-whipped cream won’t travel well.
Make sure to put it in the cooler, or at the very least securely in your trunk where the heat of your car can’t get to it! Just make sure it’s in a safe pie tote or something similar so it doesn’t bounce around.
I made this today baked for 1 hour then on oven cracked open for 45 minutes but then when time to slice its soft in center… what did I do wrong
Hi Jeannie, was your oven fully preheated? Some ovens don’t preheat properly (like my own) and I highly recommend getting an in-oven thermometer to hang in the center of your oven to track accuracy of the oven.
I made this recipe this afternoon. Will admit I sampled the filling before and it was delicious. But cheesecake came out with huge t-shaped trench. Will try again with water bath. Also, I don’t have paddle attachment so maybe too much air from mixer. Better just to hand mix after adding pumpkin mixture?
Hi, I bought McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice, but I also made pumpkin pie spice with your recipe. The two spice blends smell distinctly different. Which one will make my pumpkin cheesecake taste better? Which one do you prefer?
Hi Trevor, I honestly just buy it and use the McCormick pumpkin pie spice most often. It’s easy to find in most grocery stores and it works great and tastes great in everything I use it in.
For the crust, I used a combo of honey graham crackers and ginger snaps. That was delicious. The whole thing was tastyyyyyy!
Thanks for sharing that with us, great to hear that you loved this cheesecake!
Greetings from UK! First of all I’d like to say that I love your blog and all of your recipes. They always come out fantastic and they are easy to follow. I just baked the cheesecake and used low fat cream cheese, and pumpkin puree(no pumpkin pie mix in UK) We haven’t it tasted yet, but it’s cooled in oven for 45 mins and had no cracks! Smells delish.. fingers crossed it’s turned out great!
I hope you love this recipe and all the other recipes that you will try, Maria. Thank you for your good comments and feedback!
If you can get pumpkin pie spice that will work. I think real pumpkin rather than the mix is better anyway. UK bakers the best!😁