Pumpkin cheesecake is made with a gingersnap crust. This rich cake is subtly sweet with the perfect amount of spice.
There are endless possibilities with fall flavors and this dessert packs a lot of them in. Pumpkin cheesecake is spiced with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. It sits on a spiced gingersnap crust, which has plenty of ginger and molasses flavor.
This time of year I usually find myself baking the traditional Thanksgiving pie. You know, apple pie, pumpkin pie and pecan pie. However, this pumpkin cheesecake shakes things up a bit for the better. Here’s how to make it.
Overview: How to make pumpkin cheesecake
Pumpkin cheesecake requires cream cheese, sugar, flour, spices, pumpkin, vanilla, eggs and sour cream. Make sure all these ingredients are at room temperature so the consistency of your cheesecake batter is smooth and lump free.
Beat the cream cheese in a stand mixer until no clumps remain. Add the sugar, flour and spices until combined. Mix in the pumpkin and vanilla, then the eggs one at a time. Finally stir in the sour cream. This recipe will create a lot of batter, but it will fit in a 10-inch springform pan.
How to make a gingersnap crust
My favorite thing about this cheesecake is the gingersnap crust. It adds a bit of spice and crunch to the sweet and creamy cheesecake. Add gingersnaps, brown sugar, flour, ginger and melted butter to a food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs form. Press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan and up the sides by at least an inch. Bake for 10 minutes before filling with the cheesecake mixture.
Desserts with gingersnap crust
This cheesecake isn’t the only dessert that calls for a gingersnap crust. You can also use it for eggnog cheesecake, key lime pie and lemon bars.
Do you need a water bath for cheesecake?
A water bath is recommended for a cheesecake, however, I have made this particular recipe successfully without one. If presentation is of the utmost importance to you, make a water bath to guarantee no cracks and even baking. To do this, wrap your cheesecake pan in tin foil twice (double layer it). Bake the crust, then add the cheesecake filling. Place the pan in a roasting pan and fill it with water until it is halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Tip: fill the roasting pan with water after you place it in the oven. It makes things easier!
When is pumpkin cheesecake done?
Pumpkin cheesecake is done when the sides of the cheesecake is set, but the center 2 inches giggles a bit when gently shaken. At this point, turn off the oven and leave the oven door open. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for an hour before transferring to the fridge to cool completely.
More pumpkin recipes
Looking for more pumpkin recipes? I don’t blame you. If you liked this recipe, you will love my no bake pumpkin cheesecake bars as well as my homemade pumpkin pie. If you’re looking for some simpler recipes, I suggest making some fluffy pumpkin pancakes for breakfast or these pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies!
What occasion are you making this pumpkin cheesecake for? Whatever it is, I’d love to see your creations. Tag @ifyougiveablondeakitchen on social media!
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Ingredients
Gingersnap Crust
- 1 1/4 cups (191 g) ginger snap cookie crumbs (I used Stauffer's Ginger Snaps)
- 1/4 cup (28 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- 3 cups (680 g or three 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch ground cloves (optional)
- 1/4 cup (28 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (227 g) pumpkin puree
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113 g) sour cream, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 10″ round springform pan with parchment paper. Grease the bottom and sides of the pan and set aside.
Gingersnap Crust
- For the crust: In the bowl of a food processor, combine all of the ingredients and pulse until evenly mixed, about 1 minute. Press mixture into the bottom and sides of the springform pan making sure the sides are at least 1-inch high.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until fragrant. Set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on low speed for 2 to 3 minutes or until no more lumps remain.
- Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Mix for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Halfway through, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Add the vanilla and pumpkin pureé and mix to combine, about 30 seconds. One at a time add the eggs, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the sour cream just until incorporated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan/crust and bake for 55 to 60 minutes.
- The cake is finished when the sides are set, but the center 2 inches of the cake is still a bit wobbly when gently shaken. Turn off the oven, prop open the door, and allow the cake to slowly cool in the oven for one hour. Then remove cake from the oven, lightly cover it and place it in the refrigerator to chill for 4+ hours or overnight.
Notes
Storing pumpkin cheesecake
- Loosely cover the cheesecake and store it in the fridge for up to one week.
Can you freeze pumpkin cheesecake?
- Yes, cheesecake freezes well if properly wrapped. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely and chill in the refrigerator for 4+ hours. Remove the outer rim of the springform pan and either keep the cheesecake on the bottom of the springform pan or transfer to cardboard bottom. Then, wrap the whole cake in a few layers of plastic wrap. Do one final wrap with aluminum foil. When ready to eat, defrost the cheesecake in the refrigerator before cutting and serving.
Suggested tools to make pumpkin cheesecake
- Food processor – This is an essential tool for making a gingersnap crust. I own this version and it works like a charm in many of my recipes.
- Stand mixer – I prefer a stand mixer as this recipe creates a lot of filling, however a hand mixer can be used with a large bowl.
- 10-inch springform pan – A spring form pan has an outer rim that released from the bottom to create a seamless crust for cheesecakes
