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
.
It turned out perfect! I baked in a water bath for exactly 1 hour at 350! I am soooo pleased. I used pumpkin purée because that’s what I had and I added 1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. It’s not as dense of a cheesecake as I usually make. It’s much lighter and fluffier like a mousse. It’s great!
I’m so happy you loved it, Mary! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Wasn’t sure where to post this, so I figured I would post it on the next Natasha’s recipe I plan on making…..Sooooo, I received your cookbook today and it is absolutely stunning!!! So many of my families favorites recipes are in there!!! It is beautifully designed, good quality and you and your family are so lovely😁
And best of all is I know that no matter what I choose to make from your cookbook I will be AMAZING!!! God has truly blessed you and I am so happy for you!!! Congratulations on your cookbook!!!!
Thank you so much, Renee!
Wondering if you have any thoughts on substituting a gluten free flour for the 2TBSP of all purpose flour?
Hi Carolyn! I don’t have much experience with GF baking. I think it could work, but have not tested it myself.
I find Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Flour in the light blue bag works great!
Cup4Cup GF Flour is what I used & nobody even realized it was GF – including the other desserts I’ve made using it. Bob’s Red Mill is a little more gritty & the change in texture is more noticeable – in my opinion.
Hi there. What is pumpkin pie mix. Usually I see pumpkin pie filling or pure pumpkin. Never seen anything named pumpkin pie mix. Thanks!
Hi Andrea, the pumpkin pie mix already has spices and sugar added to it whereas pumpkin puree does not, we find it in our local grocery store.
I had the same question as Andrea. So it is pre-made pumpkin pie filling in the recipe.
Hi Anne! Yes, that’s correct. You can reference the image above to see the can that I used for this recipe.
An hour is not long enough. Cracked. I bake a lot of cheesecakes. This is the first time I’ve had one undercooked after following the direction (added more time, I think it’s too much for a 9” pan) and the only time I’ve had one crack. won’t be making again…
Hi M, did you make sure your oven was fully preheated? I suggest investing in an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is preheating adequately. Also, make sure you are allowing it to cool slowly in the oven per the instructions which is important to finish setting the cake.
Oh right! When I was filling the pan I thought it was too much filling for a 9” as well! It filled the pan to the top! so I scooped out until it was about an inch from top of pan. (I quickly made a companion taster! ) But glad I did because mine baked perfectly in exactly an hour. I also baked in a water bath and no cracks!
Same thing happened to me. I bake cheesecakes all the time. Was a little unsure about no water bath and followed the directions to a t. The whole top of mine cracked. Not happy.
Hi Mary Lyn! Cracks are often caused by drafts and temperature changes or over-mixing of the batter. You can also try to release the cheesecake from the pan after you remove it from the oven by running a knife or offset spatula around the edges of the cake pan. This will prevent it from sticking to the sides. As the cheesecake cools, it will contract and pull away from the sides of the pan and this often causes it to crack. I highly recommend the use of an internal oven thermometer to see how your oven heats. If it runs too hot, it can cause cracks. I hope that helps.
Your recipe looks delicious. I was wondering if it can be done in advance and frozen?
Hi Patricia! I’m glad to hear that. Most cheesecakes can be frozen for longer storage (1-2months). I haven’t tested it with this specific cheesecake. If you freeze, let it thaw in the refrigerator.
I’ll be making this for the upcoming holidays and am very excited about it. The reviews are fantastic, hence the reason I am choosing this recipe. I did notice several people mentioning that their cheesecake cracked. I love making cheesecake and I always bake them in a water bath. I could try to explain it here but the easiest thing to do is to do an internet search and find thorough directions there. For instance: https://www.bakedbyanintrovert.com/prevent-your-cheesecake-water-bath-from-leaking/
Happy baking everyone and thank you Natasha for this wonderful recipe!
This looks very good. I usually use my canned pumpkin for pies and bars. Can I just use the pumpkin pie recipe I use to make pie? I raise what I eat for the most part. Know what I am getting.
Hi Randy! You’ll have to experiment with it. If it works in your pies and bars, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work here but without having tested this specific “homemade pumpkin pie mix” myself, I can’t advise.
Hello, I wanted to make this recipe for a family member’s birthday, however she has celiac disease and can’t eat the flour in the recipe. Is there any substitutes that could be used instead of the flour (such as cornstarch or another type of flour)?
Hi Tori, I have not tested a GF alternative to advise on the outcome, but one of my readers mentioned using King Arthur cup for cup GF flour successfully. Let us know how it turns out if you try.
We are a celiac family, I will be using Bobs Red Mill 1:1 AP flour. I think you could also use GF oat flour as well. Also be sure to use GF graham crackers for the crust. I typically use a blend of gf graham crackers and pecans for the crust and its amazing. I have also done a pecan/walnut crust using a bit of flour and butter, pressed in like the graham crust and its delicious in a cheesecake.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Stephanie! I hope you love it!
Hi Stephanie! I want to make this for Thanksgiving. My daughter-in-law is has cekuac;s. Can you please advise what ratio gf crumbs to pecans you use? Thank you!
If I’m working with pure pumpkin instead of “pumpkin pie mix/filling”, what should I add to the pumpkin purée to make it my own homemade version of pumpkin pie mix?
Hi Tj, Here’s what one of my readers wrote: “I used pumpkin puree not the pumpkin pie filling and it was fine! The added sugar from the pumpkin pie filling was not needed” Personally, I use pumpkin pie mix. You could also make this work with a good concentrated pumpkin puree such as Libbys with a little extra pumpkin spice.
I am going to attempt this recipe. I am knew to baking and seeing that with water bath, you recommend 70 minutes/50 minutes. Please explain what that means. Thanks
Hi Jerry! This recipe is adjusted to not need a water bath. You can view my other cheesecake recipe for the water bath process/instructions.
I hope you love the recipe!
I am now to the cooling stage and the pumpkin cheese cake looks so yummy. I have two questions, do I spray pan with cooking spray before making crust? My cheesecake cracked, did I do something wrong? How do I prevent that from happening next time?
Hi Michelle! Cracks are often caused by drafts and temperature changes or over-mixing of the batter. You can also try to release the cheesecake from the pan after you remove it from the oven by running a knife or offset spatula around the edges of the cake pan. This will prevent it from sticking to the sides. As the cheesecake cools, it will contract and pull away from the sides of the pan and this often causes it to crack. I highly recommend the use of an internal oven thermometer to see how your oven heats. If it runs too hot, it can cause cracks. I hope that helps.
I made this yesterday morning, including the easy caramel sauce. Dessert was a huge hit!!! I received many compliments.
***Great recipe***
That’s wonderful! I’m so glad to hear that, Dee!
Thank you Natasha!! I did this recipe and it is awesome!! My family loved it!
That’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing.
My hubby saw this recipe, and being a lover of all things pumpkin, he asked if I could try to make it for Christmas. I used canned pumpkin (not the mix) and added 3 teaspoons extra of pumpkin pie spice with no added sugar, and it turned out perfect! Very pumpkiny. Keep in mind, I have never made a cheesecake before! My hubby said it was the best cheesecake he’s eaten, and my son loved it as well. It paired very well with the caramel sauce! Thank you for posting this recipe!
That is a delicious choice for a Christmas dessert and I am so happy you loved it!
Awesome recipe! I haven’t made the caramel sauce or whipped cream yet, but the cheesecake alone is phenomenal! Thank you for sharing!!
You’re welcome, Stephanie. I hope you’ll love both recipes!
Thank you for this recipe. I made it following your instructions, but even after the hour at 350° plus the 45min with the oven cracked, it still wasn’t done. I just baked it for another 50min after it had cooled for an hour in the fridge (after getting to room temperature) and it still looks uncooked all the way. I’m not experienced with making cheesecakes, though. Should I bake the next batch for 90min then 45min venting? I used a 10″ springform pan and single batch recipe. Thank you!
Hi Nikki! I make this in a 9” springform pan and do not have any issues. If you’re using a larger pan, it may actually get done faster, not take longer.I would look over the recipe again to make sure you did not miss anything or do anything differently.
Be sure to bake on conventional mode and not convection. Every oven bakes differently so I also highly recommend using an internal oven thermometer and fully preheating your oven before baking. I hope you have better results on the next batch.
Hi! This is my fav recipe ever!! The first time I made it it was perfect. I just made again and it sunk? Any suggestions? I made sure all ingredients were room temp.
Hi Merissa, was the oven fully preheated? Also, did you make sure to let it cool per the instructions? Lastly, make sure it’s on regular bake mode and not convection which would cause it to become overbake – if it’s overbaked, it’s more likely to sink.
WOW! The sweet & savory cheesecake, paired with the salty caramel sauce, is the perfect combo!! Everyone loved it! My cheesecake had a big crack in it after baking but we covered the whole thing with homemade whipped cream to hide it 🙂 I’ll be passing this recipe on & saving it for sure, it’s a definite winner! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Kelly. Thank you for your good comments and review!
Just made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Turned out delicious. I did double the recipe for the sweet potatoes and kept everything the same. One important point. I used pumpkin puree not the pumpkin pie filling and it was fine! The added sugar from the pumpkin pie filling was not needed. Only issue is the cheesecake did crack even though I opened the oven slightly. No biggie, just covered it with whipped cream at the end.
This is my family’s FAVORITE cheesecake recipe! My sister and I have made this for various family/holiday functions and it’s consistently the star of the show!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!