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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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The one I use 9″x 2.5 a little bigger than what I see in the photo
Hi Marimar, the one I use is a 9×3 which has a 12 cup capacity while a 9×2.5 only has a 10 cup capacity.
Thanks for your answer. The pumpkin
cake was delicious. I loose quarter of the filling , but now I know for next time
Hello Natasha in the part of the ingredients you put pumpkin pie mix, but in the method you put pumpkin pure . I’m a fan of your recipes, but in this recipe I use a non stick 9 inch spring form, and the filling was double the 9 “spring form . is your spring form is bigger than 9 ”
t was perfect, maybe your bread is bigger of 9 ?? ‘
Thank you for pointing that out! I clarified it to read pumpkin pie mix in the instructions. Hi Marimar, I use a standard size 9″ springform pan with 3″ tall walls. Are you possibly using a cake pan or a short springform pan instead?
Can you use pure pumpkin purée? I don’t have the pie mix.
Hi Jayme, I have tried this with regular pumpkin puree from a can and it still worked well. The pumpkin pie mix has some additional seasonings in it.
This is so yummy. I made it a couple of years ago, and have been asked to make it again. To me, there is too much of an alcohol taste to the whipped cream with the added rum extract. Is there any way to take more of the alcohol taste out?
Hi Andrea, you can reduce the amount or just let the cream sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. If the cream is left refrigerated overnight, you will hardly taste the alcohol the following day. Also, for a quick fix, you can whip and fold in some fresh cream to mute the flavor.
Thank u for replying so quickly! I will try that. Also, do u think it would matter if I made one in an 8 inch or 10 inch springform pan instead of a 9 inch?
Hi Andrea, I’m not sure if an 8″ would be too small and if you try the 10″ you may have to adjust the baking time since it will bake faster being a shorter cake.
Hi Natasha!
My cheesecake split in the middle. I followed the instructions word for word. Any idea on why this happened so I can make adjustments? Regardless, it still looks great and I can’t wait to try it!
Hi Ashley, I’m always happy to help troubleshoot. Be careful not to beat on too high of speed and do not use the whisk attachment if a paddle is called for in the recipe. This is so that it doesn’t incorporate too much air bubbles into the batter which can cause the cheesecake to crack. I hope that helps!
Could I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned? Would I need to add more pumpkin pie spice?
Thank you!
Hi Kimberly, I recommend the canned one for the most consistent results. Sometimes a homemade one that is too wet might cause cracking. I think you could make it work if it was very well drained.
Can you use regular pumpkin? What is the difference between pumkin pie mix and pumpkin ?
Hi Nicole, I have tried this with regular pumpkin puree from a can and it still worked well. The pumpkin pie mix has some additional seasonings in it.
I noticed the recipe said 15 ounce pumpkin pie mix, however I believe this can is always about 30 ounces. Should I measure out 15 ounces (it is suppose to be pumpkin pie mix, not just pumpkin purée correct?). Thank you!
Oh, I see you answered this question already. Thanks! Got it!
Hi Les, that is correct, you need half of the 30 oz can.
as a website owner and blogger myself, i have to tell you how much i LOVE your site! gonna make my first cheesecake today – pumpkin, and i couldn’t do it without you. thanks natasha!
dan harris
Thanks Dan! I’m happy to hear how much you are enjoying my site! Thanks so much for following!
Hi Natasha,
Is it a 15oz can of pumpkin pie mix or 30oz can? I just want to make sure 15oz is correct because I’ve only seen 30oz cans in stores…and the picture you posted with the can looks pretty big too.
Thank you for clarifying!
Hi Liliana, that is correct, you only need to use 15 oz of the mix. I used half of the can shown 🙂
ooooops… I used the entire can, I didn’t even think to check how much was in it. Just realized my mistake after reading this. Cheesecake just came out of the oven, but no telling what will happen when it’s cooled, I guess!
I haven’t tested it with that much. I hope it still turns out great for you!
Hi Natasha,
How I know when you add new recipes
Thanks
Hi Marimar, we send out weekly newsletter updates with new recipes. You can subscribe here 🙂
I don’t have a paddle only the standard mixer. Is this ok ?I would love to make this.
Hi Dayle, the reason for the paddle attachment is so that it doesn’t incorporate too much air bubbles into the batter which can cause the cheesecake to crack. Be careful not to beat on too high of speed. I hope you love it!
Thank you very much for your quick response I can’t wait to try this cheesecake
My pleasure Dayle! I hope you love it!
Could you make this with 15oz pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie mix? And maybe just add a bit more pumpkin pie spice?
HI Anna, this recipe does work with plain pumpkin puree as a substitute even without the extra spice – although you could add a little more if you wanted a little extra flavor.
Thank you!
You’re welcome Anna!
This sounds wonderful but I’m curious because there’s a huge difference between pumpkin pie mix and pumpkin puree. The pumpkin pie mix is a liquid and has added ingredients whereas the puree is more solid and just pumpkin. Which did you use and how would you adjust for using the other?
Hi Chris, it is pumpkin pie mix. I have tested it with both and they both work since there is enough spice added. Sorry for the confusion! I updated the recipe to clarify 🙂
I made this last year with gluten free graham crackers and pureed pumpkin and it was very very good. I honestly don’t remember if I used flour but if I did it would have been bob’s red mill 1 to 1 gf flour – I use it in everything I bake.
Omg! your recipe for this pumpkin cheesecake is to die for. I actually did it as an activity with my little girls and the recipe was super easy to follow. My girls loved it and we enjoyed eating it after very much!
Thank you!
You’re welcome Nancy! I’m glad to hear your family enjoys the recipe! Thank YOU for sharing your fantastic review!
I’m gluten free so I was going to skip the crust and just make the cheese cake. Can I skip the flour in the cheese cake or substitute it with a tapioca flour, corn starch etc?
Hi Charity, without testing that myself, I can’t really recommend it. Maybe someone else has tried making it gluten free? Thanks in advance!! 🙂
I NEVER PUT FLOUR IN MY CHEESCAKE …I LIKE IT BETTER
I can never find what size spongiform pan. Please specify. I have three different sizes. Thanx.
Hi Partricia, It is a 9″ springform pan. I have it written in red in step 2 with a link to the springform pan we have :). I hope you love the cake!
Thanx so much. I must have missed that. LOL! It’s cooling down in the oven right now… can’t hardly wait til later tonight. I used crushed pecans as the crust. Will top with homemade whipped cream. Edwards used to make a pie of this combination of flavors but it’s been years. That’s why I’m so excited to try. Thanx for sharing.
You’re so welcome! 🙂 I hope you love the recipe! I imagine your kitchen smells amazing right now! 😉
Amazing! Made it last year and will make it again this year for thanksgiving 🙂
I’m glad you love it as much as I do Kateryna! Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
Serving my pumpkin cheesecake tomorrow. So far, so good! BUT, how do I make caramel sauce.
Hi Deb, that recipe doesn’t live on my site but here is the recipe I used. There is a link above but it’s easy to miss :).
The pumpkin cheesecake was a BIG hit!!!
Yes! I’m happy to hear that Deborah! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This looks so delicious. I’m going to make it tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner. Just wondering if you have any tips to know if the cheesecake is done after an hour. How jiggly will it be? Do you insert a knife? I want this to turn out! The caramel sauce for the top is going to make it over the top 😊
Yum! Yum! Yum! What else is there to say? This looks delicious. I definitely want to try making it. Pinning for later.
It IS so GOOD! Please let me know what you think of the recipe Jennifer!
Absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us! I didn’t have a springform pan so I used my rectangular glass baking dish instead. (I don’t mind if it turns in to squares) I used almond flour for my base and did not pre-bake it. Didn’t have any sour cream or regular flour so I used arrowroot flour instead and just omitted the sour cream. It turned out wonderful! Just the perfect mix of pumpkin pie and cheesecake! Does not require toppings but if making it for company then toppings would be a nice touch and presentation. Thanks again & God bless you!!!
I’m happy you love the recipe Priscilla! God Bless 😀