Description
Silky caramel pumpkin cheesecake magic weaves autumn’s warmest flavors into a luxurious dessert that whispers comfort and indulgence. Sweet spices and creamy textures invite you to savor each delectable bite of seasonal bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Cheesecake Layers:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Topping:
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 325F (165C) and coat a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick spray.
- Create the graham cracker foundation by thoroughly blending crumbs, sugar, and melted butter into a cohesive mixture.
- Compact the crumb mixture firmly across the pan’s bottom, then bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden and set.
- Whip cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, stirring until completely integrated and smooth.
- Distribute the initial cream cheese layer evenly across the pre-baked crust, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Craft the pumpkin layer by combining softened cream cheese and pumpkin puree until achieving a harmonious blend.
- Introduce remaining pumpkin layer ingredients: sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, mixing until perfectly homogeneous.
- Gently cascade the pumpkin cheesecake mixture over the existing cream cheese foundation.
- Bake approximately 60 minutes, watching for a slightly trembling center indicating proper doneness.
- Switch off the oven, leave the door slightly ajar, and allow the cheesecake to gradually cool inside for one hour.
- Transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerator, chilling for minimum 4 hours or ideally overnight to enhance flavor development.
- Prior to serving, embellish with caramel sauce drizzle and optional whipped cream garnish.
- Slice and savor the luxurious, autumnal dessert with its rich, creamy profile.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for celiac-friendly version.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for lighter, diabetic-friendly dessert.
- Prevent cheesecake cracking by avoiding overmixing ingredients and using room temperature eggs and cream cheese.
- Create water bath by placing springform pan inside larger baking dish filled with hot water to ensure even, gentle baking and prevent surface cracks.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 423
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 207 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg