Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

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My best Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe features a graham cracker crust topped with a rich, creamy, and warmly-spiced cheesecake filling. Master how to make cheesecake from scratch for Thanksgiving (or any day).

A slice of pumpkin cheesecake with whipped cream on a plate.


 

Pumpkin Cheesecake is a spectacular mash-up of the Thanksgiving classic Pumpkin Pie and the beloved American dessert, Vanilla-flavored classic Cheesecake. It’s as good as it sounds (or probably even better than it sounds).

The homemade graham cracker crust is spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, and the Pumpkin Cheesecake filling is light yet custardy, cool and creamy, and not too sweet. It’s a fun alternative (or addition!) to your usual Thanksgiving dessert lineup.

I wrote a water bath into the instructions, too, because it’s the best way to ensure your Pumpkin Cheesecake bakes evenly without any cracks. By the way, my other secret for cracked cheesecake is: whipped cream. And a sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar topping isn’t bad, either!

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for pumpkin cheesecake.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Equipment and ingredient notes

  • Springform pan: I used a 9-inch, 10-cup capacity springform pan with a removable bottom for this cheesecake recipe.
  • Graham crackers: If you’re feeling ambitious, start with a batch of Homemade Graham Crackers. Store-bought honey-flavored or cinnamon graham crackers also work well. If graham crackers aren’t sold in your part of the world, substitute 1 ½ cups crushed digestive biscuits (9 sheets of graham crackers yields about 1 ½ cups of crumbs).
  • Pumpkin purée: Canned pumpkin pureé (not pumpkin pie filling) is convenient for this recipe. If you want to make your own Fresh Pumpkin Pureé, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut your pumpkin in half and remove all seeds and fibrous strings. Cut each half into 2 or 3 pieces, then roast until tender, 60 to 90 minutes. Cool completely, then scoop out the pumpkin flesh from the skin. Blend in a food processor or blender until smooth. Finally, drain over cheesecloth or paper towels to remove excess water.
  • Cream cheese: Plain full-fat cream cheese is ideal for homemade cheesecake. Slice into cubes to speed up their softening time; room temperature is best for a clump-free Pumpkin Cheesecake filling.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in two layers of aluminum foil. Arrange a dish towel in the bottom of a large roasting pan.
A water bath for a cheesecake with foil wrapped around it.
  1. In a food processor, or in a plastic bag with a rolling pin, finely crush graham crackers. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Pour into the springform pan, using the bottom of a measuring cup to pack the crumbs evenly on the bottom.
Pressing graham cracker crumbs into a springform pan.
  1. Bake until lightly browned and fragrant, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set on top of dish towel in roasting pan and bring a kettle or saucepan of water to boil. Pat the pumpkin puree dry with several layers of paper towel. In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. 
Draining pumpkin pie filling on paper towels.
  1. In a standing mixer fit with the paddle attachment, or with an electric mixer by hand, beat cream cheese in a large bowl on medium-low speed until smooth, about 1 to 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl and beaters as necessary. Add the sugar mixture in two batches, beating after each addition until incorporated, about 1 to 3 minutes.
Making pumpkin cheesecake filling.
  1. Add pumpkin, lemon juice, and vanilla and mix until combined. Add in eggs one at a time until incorporated, about 1 to 3 minutes. Beat in heavy cream until incorporated, 1 to 3 minutes.
Making pumpkin cheesecake filling.
  1. Brush the inside of the springform pan with melted butter (being careful not to disturb the graham cracker crust). Carefully pour the filling into the springform pan. With the cheesecake inside of it, set the roasting pan on an oven rack. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the pan.
A cheesecake baking in the oven.
  1. Bake until the cheesecake reaches 150 degrees at the center when tested with an internal thermometer, about 1 ½ hours (do not open the oven door). Remove from oven. Let cheesecake cool in the roasting pan for 45 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool until barely warm, about 2 ½ to 3 hours longer. Run a knife around the inside edge of the springform pan about once per hour to loosen the cake.
A baked pumpkin cheesecake cooling in a springform pan.
  1. Wrap the pan tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours. To unmold the cheesecake, wrap a kitchen towel wet with hot water around the cake pan for 1 minute. Remove the sides of the pan and carefully slide the cake onto a cake platter. Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Slices of pumpkin cheesecake on a cooling rack.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipes makes 14 slices of decadent Pumpkin Cheesecake (or more like 10 to 12 if you’re sharing it with my family!).
  • Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Water bath 101: It’s not necessarily mandatory to use a water bath, also known as a bain marie, when making cheesecake from scratch. But without one, a cheesecake tends to brown more around the edges, end up a little drier, may fall in the center while cooling, and could crack. It’s worth the extra step to get the picture perfect masterpiece, so the method for a water bath is built right into this recipe.
  • Take it over the top: Garnish slices of Pumpkin Cheesecake with a dollop of Whipped Cream and dusting of Cinnamon and Sugar Topping or toasted, chopped pecans. I wouldn’t be mad about a drizzle of Caramel Sauce or Chocolate Sauce, either.
  • Spices: Substitute 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice for the individual spices listed if desired.
  • No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake: An even easier pumpkin cheesecake made without ever firing up your oven. It needs to chill, so this is a dream dessert if you want to get ahead on your menu.
  • Classic Pumpkin Pie: The Best Pumpkin Pie just so happens to be an ultra-easy dessert recipe. Start with a store-bought crust, whisk together a tasty filling, and bake.
  • No Bake Pumpkin Pie: Firm, sliceable, and indistinguishable from a classic pumpkin pie, this No Bake Pumpkin Pie is made with just 6 ingredients, no baking required, and is easily made ahead of time.
  • Mini Pumpkin Pies: Tiny and irresistible, these Mini Pumpkin Pies come in handy for smaller gatherings or sharing with friends and family. They’re easy, creamy, and perfectly spiced, just smaller and cuter. 
  • Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: These easy Pumpkin Bars are moist, delicious, and loaded with cream cheese frosting. They are perfectly spiced without being too sweet.
A slice of pumpkin cheesecake with whipped cream on a plate.
Pumpkin Cheesecake topped with Homemade Whipped Cream and a dusting of Pumpkin Pie Spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent cracks in my Pumpkin Cheesecake?

Pumpkin Cheesecake batter is basically a rich custard, and it performs best with treated delicately. This recipe is written with a water bath included because it helps prevent cracks in the filling. The moist heat of a water bath, also known as a bain marie, helps the custard bake slowly and evenly without browning or cracking on top. Here’s how to make a water bath for cheesecake.

What is no-bake vs bake cheesecake?

No-bake cheesecakes usually have a lighter flavor and texture than traditionally-baked cheesecakes. My no-bake pumpkin cheesecake recipe is made with gelatin, so the texture is as close to the real deal as possible.

How do you make homemade pumpkin puree?

1. Scrub a pie pumpkin well and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds by combing through the fibrous strings with your fingers.

2. Scrape out and discard fibrous strings. If you want to save and roast the pumpkin seeds, rinse them in cold water and dry on a kitchen towel.
Cut pumpkin into quarters (5 or 6 inches wide each). Place pieces skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet and roast uncovered until tender, about 1 to 1-½ hours.

3. Remove from oven and cool completely. Scrape pumpkin pulp off the skin, discarding the skin. Add the pulp to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Place pumpkin puree into a cheesecloth-lined sieve, and allow to drain for 60 minutes. Discard liquid.

More pumpkin desserts

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A slice of pumpkin cheesecake with whipped cream on a plate.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

My best Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe features a graham cracker crust topped with a rich, creamy, and warmly-spiced cheesecake filling. Master how to make cheesecake from scratch for Thanksgiving (or any day).
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 55 minutes
cooling 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 14 servings (1 slice each)
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 409
4.97 from 26 votes

Equipment

  • 9-inch springform pan (see note 1)

Ingredients 

For the crust:

For the filling:

Instructions 

To make the crust:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Arrange a dish towel in the bottom of a heavy roasting pan.
  • In a food processor, or in a plastic bag with a rolling pin, finely crush graham crackers. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Pour into the springform pan, using the bottom of a measuring cup to pack the crumbs evenly on the bottom.
  • Bake until lightly browned and fragrant, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set on top of dish towel in roasting pan and bring a kettle or saucepan of water to boil.

To make the filling:

  • Pat the pumpkin puree dry with several layers of paper towel. In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. 
  • In a standing mixer fit with the paddle attachment, or with an electric mixer by hand, beat cream cheese on medium-low speed until smooth, about 1 to 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl and beaters as necessary.
  • Add the sugar mixture in two batches, beating after each addition until incorporated, about 1 to 3 minutes. Add pumpkin, lemon juice, and vanilla and mix until combined. 
  • Add in eggs one at a time until incorporated, about 1 to 3 minutes. Beat in heavy cream until incorporated, 1 to 3 minutes.

To bake the cheesecake:

  • Brush the inside of the springform pan with melted butter (being careful not to disturb the graham cracker crust). Carefully pour the filling into the springform pan.
  • With the cheesecake inside of it, set the roasting pan on an oven rack. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the pan.
  • Bake until the cheesecake reaches 150 degrees at the center when tested with an internal thermometer, about 1 ½ hours (do not open the oven door). Remove from oven.
  • Let cheesecake cool in the roasting pan for 45 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool until barely warm, about 2 ½ to 3 hours longer. Run a knife around the inside edge of the springform pan about once per hour to loosen the cake.
  • Wrap the pan tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours. 
  • To unmold the cheesecake, wrap a kitchen towel wet with hot water around the cake pan for 1 minute. Remove the sides of the pan and carefully slide the cake onto a cake platter. Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Springform pan: I used a 9-inch, 10-cup capacity springform pan with a removable bottom for this cheesecake recipe.
  2. Graham crackers: Store-bought honey-flavored or cinnamon graham crackers also work well. If graham crackers aren’t sold in your part of the world, substitute 1 ½ cups crushed digestive biscuits (9 sheets of graham crackers yields about 1 ½ cups of crumbs).
  3. Pumpkin purée: Canned pumpkin pureé (not pumpkin pie filling) is convenient for this recipe. If you want to make your own Fresh Pumpkin Pureé, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut your pumpkin in half and remove all seeds and fibrous strings. Cut each half into 2 or 3 pieces, then roast until tender, 60 to 90 minutes. Cool completely, then scoop out the pumpkin flesh from the skin. Blend in a food processor blender until smooth. Finally, drain over cheesecloth or paper towels to remove excess water.
  4. Yield: This recipes makes 14 slices of decadent Pumpkin Cheesecake (or more like 10 to 12 if you’re sharing it with my family!).
  5. Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 sliceCalories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 6gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 154mgSodium: 366mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 1136IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

  1. Great recipe and explained really well! I did however add a pinch more salt and 1/8 teaspoon cardamom and drizzled a little molasses in the crumbs to make the graham richer in flavor! Thanks for not having 5 million pop up’s! 5 ⭐️

  2. Hello, you just updated this recipe and removed the ginger snap crust. Can you send me that recipe too. I just bought everything and now can’t find everything with your update.
    Thanks.

    1. Hi Nstaerkel, sorry about that! Here’s the recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust:
      – 7-1/2 ounces gingersnaps (or 1-1/2 cups finely ground gingersnap crumbs)
      – 1/4 cup granulated sugar
      – 5 tablespoons melted butter
      1. Pulse the crackers (or crumbs) and sugar in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until finely ground.
      2. Add the butter and pulse a few times to combine.

    1. Hi Jenn, it is up to you. I’ve made the crust both ways and they turn out the same. I prefer salted. :) – Meggan

  3. Hi. I’m making my FIRST ever cheesecake and using this delicious recipe 🥰🥰 I would like to know if the cheesecake needs to be fully COOLED down after baking, before it can go into the fridge

    1. Fantastic! You would want it to be rather cool so it doesn’t drop the temperature in the refrigerator. Allow it to cool in the roasting pan for about 45 minutes, remove it from the pan and allow it to cool for another 2 and a half hours or so. Make sure it definitely is in the fridge by the 4-hour mark. I hope you love it! – Meggan

  4. Hey, Meggan,
    I have found a good sour-cream topping and a good stabilized whip cream to make this recipe even better. And, as you can tell, I sure wanted that some months ago. Here are the items that (maybe) you can add to a future recipe. And, I’m giving you our work to give back and say thanks for all the recipes that you share with us …
    Stabilized whip cream (for the border/s) … add a tbl of vanilla extract in it to give it more flavor …
    https://www.food.com/recipe/wilton-stabilized-whipped-cream-79506

    Then, the sour cream topping is … 16 oz sour cream, 1/3 cup sugar, 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Then whip on low speeds until smooth and creamy. And, after adding the sour cream topping to the baked cheesecake, you will need to continue baking for 5 more minutes at 350 degrees. Then refrigerate.

    Okay, that gives me a recipe that is close enough to Costco that I don’t have to rant year-around to have it, when Costco is not producing it. They only do it during Holiday Seaons, but this will hold me over during other parts of the year.

    Again, thank you, Meggan, for all you do and share with us. My family appreciates it greatly.

    1. Okay, let me rephrase above. Do sour cream topping first & bake. Then, refrigerate. Then, add stabilized whip cream. Sorry, I had order wrong because I am typing up the Notes after our good results today. We have been waiting for Costco to get their pumpkin cheesecase cooking again, but it’s not here yet. So, until then, here is a good enough clone / copycat that most people will be pleased.

  5. This came out so moist and creamy!! It was delicious! I doubled the crust recipe and I’m glad I did. If you like a thicker crust, I recommend doubling the crust recipe. I’m very pleased with this recipe!!!!!5 stars

  6. For those who are afraid of the water bath – while the oven is heating up – on the lower rack place an alum or metal cake pan about 1/2 full with water. Don’t open the oven until you are ready to put the cheesecake in – CAREFUL when opening the oven door a gust of hot humid air will rush out.. place the cheesecake pan on the rack right above the pan. If needed – add boiling water to pan to keep the level up. I have been making cheesecakes for well over 30 years and this method has never let me down !

  7. Does these cheesecake have a sour-cream topping? I like a cheesecake like the one at my local Big Box warehouse. I won’t say the name, but it’s not Sam’s nor Walmart.

    1. Hi Miss Emily, you could add a sour cream topping if you like. If you do, let me know how it goes! Happy baking! – Meggan

    1. Hi Betsy, personally I think it’s better the next day versus frozen. I haven’t tried freezing with this cheesecake, but if you are going to, I would recommend letting it cool completely, wrapping in plastic wrap and foil, and freezing for up to a month. Allow it to thaw 2-3 hours before serving. I hope you enjoy it! – Meggan

  8. I wish that Meggan would “fork” this recipe into something called, “Copycat of Costco’s Pumpkin Cheesecake with Sour-Cream Topping”. Because that is something that many, many, many people want every year toward the holidays. And, I’d just buy it from Costco, but PROBLEM IS — they always sell out most days, early in the day, when I get off work late at 7:30, drive to Costco is 30+ minutes, and they close at 8:15-ish. So, I just don’t have time to get it. So, I’ve got to learn to make it with a sour-cream topping, because we go through one or two a week during the Holidays. Anyway, sorry for being so chatty — maybe Meggan (or any other Culilnary Hill Blog reader) will come to the Rescue … [he he he]

    1. That is same question (i.e., similar question) that I asked. I’d like to create a Copycat of Costco’s Pumpkin Cheesecake with the sour-cream topping that is offered every Thanksgiving. My whole family loves it. But, we get pissed when they sell out certain days (like right before the Holiday) or when they take it away for another 9 to 10 months. So, we want to create a copycat of CCP’s recipe? Have you figured it out yet, Suzi. Thanks.

    2. Suzi,
      I have instructions above, now. We figured it out. Hope this helps to make an awesome sour cream covered cheesecake.

  9. I absolutely loved how this came out. Especially the texture because it was dense and creamy. I have been searching for another recipe for different flavors of cheesecake but the ones I’ve made always call for less eggs and they add a little flour so the texture isn’t what I prefer. If I wanted to make a turtle cheesecake would I be successful using the basic ingredients from this recipe and just leaving out the pumpkins and adding different toppings? Thank you!’5 stars

    1. Hi Katie! I’m so glad you liked the recipe! I don’t think you could simply omit the pumpkin to make a cheesecake suitable for turtle toppings. It’s possible, but I haven’t tried and I’d hate to ruin your day and waste your ingredients. Or maybe not, but I don’t know! I will add it to my list to test to see what happens if we leave out the pumpkin and post my findings. Thank you! -Meggan

  10. I’ve made quite a few different pumpkin cheesecake recipes,
    and this is definitely the best one!! I can stop looking for a better one. Thanks5 stars

    1. Dynnise … Do you happen to have one with a sourcream-like topping? Similar to Costco’s?
      Thanks, David

  11. I have a 10 inch spring form pan, will that work
    The first time I tried a cheese cake, it looked perfect at first, however when it was in the refrig, it cracked. I cut it on Thanksgiving and the sides were done but the center was mush :(. But I never used a Water Bath. I will try that now. Thanks

  12. I made this for Thanksgiving and it was perfection! I added a sour-cream topping because I love that on a cheesecake. Thank you for the detailed recipe and great pictures!5 stars

    1. John … What was your sourcream topping mixture? Is it similar to Costco’s? thanks, david

    1. Hi Angelina, 325 degrees, same as the crust. Sorry that wasn’t clear from the way the recipe was written. I’ll fix it! Thanks. -Meggan

  13. For the Pecan Crust, do you bake this also like the graham crust? Also, do you brush the bottom of the springform pan with butter first?

    1. Hi Greta, yes! You bake the pecan crust the same as the graham cracker one – 325 degrees, 10 to 15 minutes. You don’t need to brush the bottom of the springform pan with butter. There is butter in the crust. However, you can. More butter is never a bad idea right? At least not that I can think of. I hope this helps! Thank you! -Meggan

    1. Hi Victoria, my apologies, I see how that might be confusing. If you’re referring to, “Add the sugar mixture in two batches, beating after each addition until incorporated, about 1 to 3 minutes. Add pumpkin, lemon juice, and vanilla and mix until combined,” I can explain it differently.

      Step 1 has you create the sugar mixture.
      Step 2 has you beat the cream cheese.
      Step 3 has you put only half of the sugar mixture from step 1 in the mixing bowl that has the cream cheese. Then mix. Once its mixed well, you will add the other half of the sugar mixture from step 1, and mix again. Then go ahead and add the other ingredients listed in step 3.

      Let me know if you have any other questions!

    1. Hi Esmeralda, thanks! But it’s not for 2 cakes… it’s just for 1. Unless you used a smaller springform pan than 9 inches. Did you get two cheesecakes out of it? I never have! Sorry for the confusion. Thanks. -Meggan

    1. Hi Rebecca, I emailed this to you! If you don’t receive it, please let me know (or check your spam). Thanks! -Meggan

    1. Hi Brad, a 9-inch springform pan. Please let me know if you need anything else. Thanks! -Meggan