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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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Hi,
This looks delicious and I’d like to make it for Thanksgiving, but I need it to be gluten free. I’ve already found a GF version of this crust, but I’m wondering if I can easily substitute corn starch for the flour. Thanks!
Hi Mary, without testing that myself, I can’t really recommend a gluten-free sub. Maybe someone else has tried making it gluten free? Thanks in advance!!
I haven’t made it yet but I’d like to know how far ahead I could make it in advance of Thanksgiving?? Also can I put a caramel pecan topping??
Hi! You can refrigerate this for 3-4days. Most cheesecakes can be frozen as well for storing longer (1-2months). I haven’t tested it with this specific cheesecake to advise. If you freeze, let it thaw in the refrigerator. If you experiment, let us know how it works. I think caramel and pecans would be a great addition to this cheesecake.
What if I don’t have pumpkin spice? Can I substitute it. Please let me knows
Hi Norma, I have not tried any substitutions to advise. I 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.
I want to make this Tuesday before everyone gets here. Will it still be good for Thanksgiving?
It can definitely be refrigerated for several days. I recommend not adding any toppings until the day of, however.
Would using this recipe with your water bath cheesecake process work?
Hi Angel, this recipe is adjusted to not need the water bath, but yes, that should work.
Have you ever made the cheesecake into indivual cupcake size?? Wondering what adjustments would need to be done?
Hi Sandy! I have not tested this in mini versions. I think it could work but you’d have to experiment with it and watch it in the oven.
I’ve been making pumpkin cheesecakes every year for the thanksgiving holiday for at least a decade. This one is the best so far. But, not really remembering how much this recipe actually makes, I now have 4 FULL, 10” pie plates, after doubling this recipe, thinking I’d maybe get 3. lol Well, since I have already made the filling and everything, can you give me an idea how these might freeze and thaw??? TIA!!!
Hi Lori! So glad you love this cheesecake! I have not frozen this specific recipe, but it works well with cheesecake. I would wrap it well in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
Is this the original recipe that was posted? I made this cheesecake several times last holiday season, and it seems to me the recipe has changed. Maybe I’m imagining things, but I was just curious if this was the original posting?
Side note: I’ve found that if I let all my cold ingredients reach room temperature before mixing, the cheesecake doesn’t crack.
Hi, the recipe is the same and that is a great tip about the room temperature ingredients.
I love all your receipts and enjoy watching the videos!!! Soon I’ll be making your turkey receipt!! Thank you
Thank you! I hope you love it!
Hi Natasha, thank you for this recipe. I have a 10” springform pan. Given that, how may I adjust this recipe to accommodate this larger pan?
Hi Mary, I haven’t tested that in a 10-inch pan, but I would watch it closely since it will be a thinner cake and may bake quicker. Doubling it would be too much and it will overflow.
Thank you, Happy Holidays to you. I will let you know how this turns out in a 10” pan.
I cannot believe that you don’t use a hot water bath! I can tell just by looking at your photo that the texture isn’t creamy and looks kind of curdled. Hot water bath is sooo worth it!
Hi Susan, we have a cheesecake recipe using water baths, and a water bath will work for this recipe too.
Good morning. Thank you Natasha. Lovely pumpkin cheese cake recipe. Love ve your recipes
You’re so nice! Thank you, Deematti!
Thank you for the recipe. Can I use real pumpkin instead of canned? Thank you.
Hi Katya! This recipe uses pumpkin pie mix which already has the spices and sugar added. With homemade pumpkin puree, you’d need to make some adjustments.
I couldn’t find the canned pumpkin pie mix so will be using purée…any suggestions on needed adjustments?
Hi Cathy! I don’t have specific instructions for this but you can reference my homemade pumpkin puree recipe HERE. Be sure to strain it well. You’ll need to adjust and add spices and sugar since the pie mix from the can already contain this.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us! This is my second year bringing this to Thanksgiving and it is always a huge hit!! Forever a staple at our holiday gatherings now 🙂
That’s wonderful, Kristyn! I’m so glad to hear that.
Hi Natasha,
I don’t see any instructions for the water bath. The recipe looks delicious.
Hi Susan, I have some tips in my Perfect Cheesecake recipe.
I used your pumpkin cheesecake recipe to make a cheesecake “piecaken”. I have been wanting to try a pecan cheesecake and all the recipes just pile the pecan pie filling on the top of the baked cheesecake. I made your recipe to a T and used a 10″ springform pan. I put about 1/3 of the filling in the graham cracker crust and then a Marie Callandar pecan pie. I took all the crust off and put it on top of the cheesecake filling that I had already put in the pan. I then put the rest of the filling on top and around the pecan pie. It is in the oven right now, but I am sure it will be a hit!! I will post later and tell everyone how it is!! Thanks for reading my post!
Nice, thanks a lot for sharing. I hope all of you will enjoy the result!
This has become our favorite cheesecake. I buy the store brand cinnamon gramcrackers. Thank you for sharing
You are very welcome! We’re happy that you love this recipe a lot.
HELP!!!!! WATER BATH???? Your comment refers to decreasing chances of cracking by using water bath. Reread recipe multiple times. Where is the instructions on water bath????
One of readers shared this comment “In making cheesecakes, I always use a water bath, and in this case, it prevented cratering and cracking. It does slightly increase cooking time, so I went 70 minutes/50 minutes. Some like to use foil to protect the springform…I placed the 9″ springform inside a 10″ tart pan…way better and less leakage. I also broke up inclusion of the spice…added 1/2 into the pumpkin mix, the rest when incorporating with the cream cheese. Note: if not using a pumpkin mix with seasoning, you definitely want to add more spice and sugar. Terrific recipe…crowd pleaser! Thank you!” I hope that helps.
Morning, Love your recipes! i would love to make the pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving. Since there are only two of us can left over cheese cake be frozen? or would it hurt to half the recipe? thank you. Locella
Hi Locella, it can definitely be refrigerated for several days. I recommend not adding any toppings until the day of, however.
Hi. Have a gluten free guest. Can I use gf Graham crackers and cornstarch instead of flour without any adjustment to amount?
Hi Kimberley! The GF graham crackers should work fine, but I haven’t tested the cornstarch to advise on the outcome.
Hi! I’m planning to make this recipe for Thanksgiving and had a question. Do I wait until the Carmel sauce has cooled to pour it over the cheesecake or when it’s warm? And after I add the Carmel sauce do I serve immediately or refrigerate it?
Hi Chrissy! Caramel sauce can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled. I usually let it cool, top my cheesecake, and then refrigerated it but you can pour it on right before serving the cheesecake too.
I brought the cheesecake to a luncheon at work. It was a hit, everyone was asking me for the recipe and one of the ladies stopped by my room to let me know how happy it made her feel when she ate it.
I followed the recipe strictly, it was so beautiful when I turned the oven off, but it ended up cracking badly. I made the whipped cream and the caramel and topped it – hiding the imperfections. It was a 10 😀
So glad it was a hit, Maria! Thank you for the review.
Be sure to not skip the water bath, it helps prevent cracking.
Hi Natasha,
Your recipe looks delicious and I want to try to make it but I had a question: can the pumpkin pie mix be swapped out for homemade pumpkin puree?
You can use pumpkin puree if you’d like but will need to make some adjustments. Also, it can be refrigerated for several days. I recommend not adding any toppings until the day of, however.