Description
Creamy pumpkin cheesecake bars blend autumn’s warmth with rich, velvety textures. Spiced graham cracker crust and silky filling create a delightful dessert you’ll crave throughout the season.
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Base:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 ounces (453 grams) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining with parchment paper, ensuring overhang for easy removal. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, pressing firmly into an even layer across the bottom of the prepared pan to create a compact crust.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese and sugar until completely smooth and free of lumps, about 3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Gently fold in pumpkin puree, incorporating eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and warm autumn spices until the mixture is uniform and silky.
- Carefully pour the spiced pumpkin cheesecake batter over the graham cracker crust, using a spatula to spread evenly and eliminate any air pockets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center while edges appear set and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour, then transfer to refrigerator to chill for a minimum of 3 hours.
- Once thoroughly chilled, lift from pan using parchment paper edges and slice into clean, precise bars using a sharp knife wiped between cuts.
Notes
- Chill cream cheese beforehand to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling that blends perfectly.
- Use room temperature eggs to help ingredients incorporate more evenly and prevent curdling.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie dessert option that still tastes delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg