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Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake is a lightened-up, creamy pumpkin cheesecake with a baked graham cracker crust. Decorated with an optional chocolate jack-o-lantern face, this is a simple, yet fall dessert.
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
Do you have a hard time deciding between pumpkin pie and cheesecake?
It can be a tough choice!
I have solved that dilemma for you and combined the best of both worlds.
This sweet little baby is a perfect cross between a cheesecake and pumpkin pie that will have your taste buds dancing with pumpkin glee.
Not to mention that this easy Pumpkin Cheesecake is made with natural sweeteners, so it is a bit on the healthier side.
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake
Step One: Graham Cracker Crust
- In a food processor, process graham crackers into fine crumbs.
- Add in melted butter and combine until graham crackers reach the texture of wet sand.
- Press crumbs onto the bottom of a 9-inch cheesecake pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes to pre-set crust.
Step Two: Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Filling
- Beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, spices, and maple syrup until creamy.
- Pour into pre-baked crust.
Step Three: Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Bake the pumpkin cheesecake pie until just set, about 25 minutes.
Step Four: Decorate Pumpkin Cheesecake
The dark chocolate face is optional. But isn't everything better with some dark chocolate? Glad you agree.
- Melt dark chocolate in 30-second intervals in the microwave.
- Use a spoon or piping bag to "draw" out the parts of a jack-o-lantern face onto wax paper.
- Once the chocolate hardens, peel it away and put it directly onto the pumpkin cheesecake pie.
- Wait to top the Pumpkin Cheesecake with the chocolate until right before serving. You can store the chocolate face pieces in the fridge until ready to decorate.
Notes on Healthy Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Instead of a 9-inch cheesecake pan, you can use a 9-inch pie pan. Just be aware, that you may need to add 10 minutes to the baking time for the cheesecake to set.
- Be sure to use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Feel free to use pumpkin spice in place of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- For Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cheesecake, use gluten-free graham crackers.
- Neufchatel or Full-Fat Cream cheese both work for this cheesecake recipe.
- As is true with most cheesecakes, this Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake is best after being refrigerated for 24 hours.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake will last for 4 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 1 month.
More Pumpkin Recipes
- Texanerin Baking's Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Healthy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
- Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup whole wheat graham cracker crumbs, about 1 sleeve
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fresh nutmeg, grated
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Face (Optional)
- ½ cup dark chocolate, chopped
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat oven to 350℉ (175℃).
- Process graham crackers in food processor into crumbs. Add in melted butter and combine until graham crackers are moist with butter.
- Press graham cracker mixture into a 9 inch cheese cake pan. Bake crust for 10 minutes.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- Beat together cream cheese, pumpkin, egg, maple syrup, vanilla, and spices until creamy and smooth.
- Pour onto crust and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheesecake is set.
- Allow cheesecake pie to cool for 10 minutes, and then then loosen from cheesecake pan ring. Cool for an additional 20 minutes before storing in the fridge and decorating with chocolate.
Chocolate Decorations
- While cake is baking, melt chocolate and "draw" face onto wax paper. Let harden while cheesecake pie bakes.
- Tastes best if made 24 hours in advance.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I think this would be perfect for my daughter's November 1 birthday, but what do you mean by a cheesecake pan? A springform pan? A push through pan? Thanks!
Sorry about that! To clarify, it should be a 9-inch springform cheesecake pan. I hope your daughter has a wonderful birthday
Looks so good can’t wait to make “Fall stuff”
My 2nd question this morning...can I use honey instead of maple syrup or some type of 0 calorie sugar like Stevia?
Hi there. I have tried this recipe with maple syrup and honey, and the consistency was not as good as granulated sugar, unfortunately, as I prefer natural sweeteners as well. I have not tried Stevia yet, so can not say how that will turn out.
This is such a cute idea for Halloween!! Sounds delicious too :). I'm not big on pumpkin pie, so this cheesecake version is right up my alley!
Yes, you would adore this Olivia!
this is just too darn cute! the perfect dessert for a night of trick or treating 🙂 Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween to you to Heather 🙂