Description
Spiced pumpkin cheesecake brings warm comfort to seasonal dessert tables, blending classic fall flavors with creamy richness. Silky layers of pumpkin and cream cheese create a luxurious treat you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
Cheesecake Filling:
- 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1.25 cups (250g) granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 0.5 cup (115g) sour cream, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Crust:
- 1.5 cups (126g) graham cracker crumbs (about 10.5 sheets)
- 0.5 cup (54.5g) finely chopped pecans
- 0.33 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping:
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced to 1/8-inch thickness (about 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
- 0.25 cup (27g) chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine graham cracker crumbs, pecans, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until mixture resembles coarse sand. Press firmly into bottom and two-thirds up sides of a 9-inch lined springform pan. Wrap exterior with two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil to prevent water penetration during baking.
- Using a mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually incorporate sugar, scraping bowl sides. Add sour cream and vanilla, mixing until creamy. Incorporate eggs individually on low speed to prevent overmixing. Pour filling into prepared crust.
- Toss apple slices with sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated. Artfully arrange apple slices in overlapping circular pattern atop cheesecake. Sprinkle chopped pecans over apple layer for textural contrast.
- Position cheesecake in larger baking pan. Pour hot water into exterior pan until it reaches halfway up springform pan’s sides. This water bath technique ensures even, gentle baking. Bake for 90-95 minutes until edges are set and center remains slightly wobbly.
- Remove from oven and cool on wire rack to room temperature, approximately one hour. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or preferably overnight to enhance flavor melding and facilitate clean slicing.
Notes
- Prevent Cracking by Beating Cream Cheese Smoothly and Adding Eggs Gradually to Minimize Overmixing.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients Especially Cream Cheese and Eggs to Ensure Consistent Texture and Smooth Blending.
- Wrap Springform Pan Tightly with Aluminum Foil to Block Water Leakage During Water Bath Baking Method.
- Allow Sufficient Chilling Time Overnight to Develop Deeper Flavor Profiles and Achieve Perfect Slicing Consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg