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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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This sounds amazing! I’m hoping to make it for Christmas Day dessert – but we have 10 people to feed so was considering making it in a 12inch springform pan. Do you have any suggestions on adjusting the recipe amount for that size?
Hi Shauna, it will be a very short cheesecake in a 12″ you may consider making 1.5 to 2 times the recipe.
I made this cheesecake as directed. It was fabulous! Even though the top cracked because I wasn’t sure if it was done, it was still creamy. I just covered the cracks with the caramel sauce. Delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Linden! Thank you for that awesome review!
How come my cheesecake center didn’t sink like yours is mined not finish baking?
Hi Angelina, with cheesecakes, they typically rise in the oven and then settle down as they cool and set.
Made this recipe and followed it to the letter, I’ve never made cheesecake even though I love cooking and baking because I was always intimidated! So happy I tried this recipe, my husband who doesn’t like pumpkin but loves cheesecake said that this was one of the best cheesecake he has ever had! Restaurant quality and worth every calorie.
Awww that’s the best! I’m so glad you went for it! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
Made this fabulous cheesecake for Thanksgiving. Let me tell you – it was the star of the dessert table! Everyone commented on it. A couple notes, I accidentally bought pumpkin purée instead of pie filling so to compensate for flavor I added an additional 1/2 tsp. of the pumpkin pie spice. Flavor was excellent! Also, people here have mentioned that their cheesecake cracked. Mine did pretty badly as well (I didn’t do a water bath FYI). However, I learned how to fix this issue with a clever trick! After the cheesecake is fully chilled and set (I did overnight) warm an offset spatula in some hot water, wipe clean, and then use it to gently press and spread the top of the cheesecake until you fill in the cracks and smooth out the top, stopping periodically to wipe off the spatula and rewarm it. Once you’re satisfied with the repair job, pop it back in the fridge for a bit to firm back up before serving. Works like a charm. Thank you, Natasha, for this excellent recipe!!!
I’m so glad you loved the pumpkin cheesecake and thank you for sharing your great tip about cracks. I love that!
I figured this would taste good. I was not prepared for just how amazing it would taste. I topped it with caramel, homemade whipped cream, and chopped pecans. So so good!!
It is one of our favorites! Thank you for that awesome review, Andrea!
I just made this tonight for Thanksgiving 2020. The batter tasted amazing so I can’t wait for the final product! Going to make the rum whipped cream and caramel sauce. I baked it 1 hr and left it 45 minutes in the oven with the door propped slightly open with the wooden spoon. No cracks! Wish I could upload the picture to show you how beautifully it turned out! I did not use my convection baking setting (FYI). I am now cooling to room temperature so I hope that does not cause any cracking.
I always love to hear success stories. I hope you love the pumpkin cheesecake.
OMG! This is the best cheese cake ever! The texture is perfect, and the caramel sauce is just amazing! I will definitely save and use this recipe over and over again! Natasha, whatever I tried from your recipes came out delicious! You are my favorite! Thank you for all the goodies!
I’m so happy to hear that. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Natasha! Love your recipes, this one looks amazing! I’m thinking about making this crust-less. Would there need to be any adjustment to the cooking time? Thanks!
Hi Kayla, without tested that I can not advise. If you experiment please let me know how you like that.
Could adding a tbsp of rum be too much?
I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I made this cheesecake for our lunch at office. It turned out delicious! I skipped caramel topping as I didn’t have time for it. But my cheesecake cracked just in the middle while cooling in the oven. Any idea why?
Hi Inessa, I’m so glad you enjoyed the cheesecake! It could be due to overwhipping the filling. Make sure to use the paddle attachment (not whisk) and beat on medium speed so you don’t get too many air bubbles in there which could cause cracks. Also, be sure to just prop the door open with a wooden spoon for the first 45 minute cooling time. This will allow the cheesecake to cool slowly and set properly – and reduce the risk of cracks from a drastic temperature change. I hope that helps to troubleshoot.
Yes, I followed your recipe step-by-step, used puddle attachment and a spoon to cool cheesecake on the oven. Maybe just over whipped a little bit. But it was delicious anyway 🙂
Hi Natasha – Cheesecakes have a tendency to crack. If you bake it in a pan of water (a waterbath) that usually stops cracking. Also the cooling it in the Oven with the door open as you said. Lovely site – Melinda – (a Granny who has been baking for a long time)
Thank you for sharing that with me, Melinda!
Hi Natasha, I was wondering if it mattered if I cooked it in a water bath to prevent it from cracking, since my cheesecakes do most of the times. Any other advice would be good to, because I plan on making this for Thanksgiving for my family, and I want it to be perfect. Thanks so much!
hi Kenzie, I don’t do the water bath for this one and haven’t had any issues. If you prefer to have some moisture in the oven, you can add a metal pan (like a bread pan half full with hot water) and place it on a rack while the cake is baking.
mine is currently in the oven. (haven’t tasted it yet) it cracked around the edges unfortunately. I usually use a water bath but as this recipe doesn’t call for it, I skipped it. my oven door can be propped open a bit on its own, I’m wondering if it matters much?
Hi Lily, it does help to just prop it open with a wooden spoon so it doesn’t lose heat too quickly, which helps prevent cracking.
Have you tried making this in a 9×13 inch pan? I was thinking cheesecake squares would be good, easier to cut into smaller pieces.
Hi Louise, It will probably bake up a little faster since the cheesecake will not be as thick. Without testing it in a 9″x13″ inch pan myself, I can’t give you exact baking times. Sorry, I can’t be more helpful!
I made this for my supper club, needless to say, it was a hit! The recipe was easy to follow, and I made the caramel sauce too! Thank you for all the compliments I got from my friends!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Linda!
Followed recipe, except I used canned pumpkin. Came out perfect. Thanks.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha, i love watching your videos, I have made a couple of your recipes which were a hit. I want to try make the pumpkin cheesecake do you have a video for it.
Hi Martha, I do not have a video for it at this time. Thank you for that suggestion.
Hi, Natasha! I just love your recipes. I’m planning on making this cheesecake for Thanksgiving. What are your thoughts on substituting ginger snaps for the graham crackers?
Hi Georgia, I think that would work fine. Let me know how you like it!
Hi Natasha, I don’t have a mixer so can I use a hand mixer for this?
Hi, yes that should work fine to use a hand mixer.
Hi Natasha, I am making this for Thanksgiving and have a question. should the springform pan be greased at all before making the crust? Thank you.
Hi Dayle, The crust has enough butter that I don’t usually need to grease the pan. However, if your pan isn’t non-stick, it might be a good idea. It holds up really well in the refrigerator.
I made this and followed your directions to the letter, it cam out perfect and amazing! Making another one tonight for a dinner party tomorrow. So easy and so yummy!
Sounds like you found a new favorite, Michele! Thank you for that great review.
Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar and If I use pumpkin pure in can compared to pumpkin pie mix Do I need to add more spices to the cheesecake
Hi Angelina, I haven’t tried any sugar or flour substitutions in this recipe and without experimenting, I really can’t make any recommendations for that.
Hello Natasha,
I can’t find pumpkin pie mix where i live (spain). Do you happen to have an easy recipe for that?
Thanks 🙂
btw, really like your recipes!
Hi Deni, a pumpkin puree works well – it doesn’t have to be pumpkin pie mix. Pumpkin pie mix is essentially pumpkin puree with some spices added.
Thanks for the tip! hopefully I will try this recipe
You’re welcome! I hope you love it.
I just use fresh pumpkin steamed down and mashed. (Be sure to use a pie pumpkin. They are smaller in diameter. The large ones used for carving jack-o-lanterns are too “mealy”.) Nothing beats fresh ingredients!
oh! i’ll try that, thanks!
I loved your recipes!! So good and yummy!!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes, Mary!