• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Homemade In The Kitchen

Small Batch Recipes and Recipes For Two Made From Scratch

Header Right

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

October 29, 2015

9 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Share this post → Email this to someone
email
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon
Share on Yummly
Yummly

This creamy and easy Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe with a homemade graham cracker crust is a must-make Thanksgiving dessert and a great way to use up leftover canned pumpkin.


easy Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe

One month from now, we’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving.

When I walked around the mall, I noticed all of the stores are decorated for Christmas already.

Christmas trees standing tall with decorations for sale. Mannequins wearing holiday sweaters and boots. A sign sitting in the kitchen store window, warning us how many days we have left until Thanksgiving and Christmas (poor Halloween).

The mall itself hasn’t gotten ready for Santa yet, but give it another week or two and the mall will be transformed into a winter wonderland.

As long as I don’t hear Christmas music before Thanksgiving, I’ll be set.

Every Thanksgiving, I’m not allowed to make dessert. Me, of all people, can’t make dessert for the family because Dad insists he will make the pumpkin pie.

Every year I tell him to scale down the recipe to make one pie. Every year he ignores me and makes two pies because both will eventually get eaten.

He’ll even do a test run the week before even though he’s been using the same recipe for the past how many years now. You know, just in case this is the year it fails. Every year.

Since I’m not allowed to make Thanksgiving dessert, I have to make all of my pumpkin desserts ahead of time to enjoy the season. Since I make cheesecake a lot, it was only fitting I make a homemade Pumpkin Cheesecake with a graham cracker crust made from scratch.

I do have a no bake pumpkin cheesecake recipe, so it was about time I made a baked version.

Whether you make this recipe for Thanksgiving dessert in lieu of pumpkin pie or have leftover canned pumpkin to use up, one bite and this pumpkin cheesecake recipe will be your new holiday favorite.

If you’re looking for a small cheesecake, check out my 6 inch pumpkin cheesecake recipe. Same recipe, just adjusted for a smaller pan size.


easy Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe

How To Make Pumpkin Cheesecake

I love this particular cheesecake recipe because it isn’t fussy. You don’t need a waterbath nor does it crack unless you bake it too long.

First things first – bring all of the ingredients to room temperature. The cream cheese should be softened and not cold to the touch. If it is after sitting out for a bit, you can microwave it in 5-10 second increments (without the foil wrapper! Do not microwave the foil wrapper).

If the ingredients, especially the cream cheese or eggs, are too cold, the batter will seize up and become lumpy. And you don’t want a lumpy cheesecake.

Make sure you use full-fat cream cheese as fat free cream cheese tends to be too runny, resulting in a cheesecake that may not set up correctly.

How To Make A Graham Cracker Crust

The easiest way to make graham cracker crumbs is to use a food processor (Amazon affiliate link).

However, if you don’t have a food processor, you can place the graham crackers into a freezer bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

Next, mix the crumbs with melted butter. Make sure everything is coated and sticking together.

Press the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan (Amazon affiliate link).

A springform pan is useful because you can remove the sides of the pan without ruining the cheesecake, leaving the cheesecake whole for presentation.

You don’t need to prebake the graham cracker crust for cheesecake, so set it aside while you work on the cheesecake filling.

Do you need a water bath for cheesecake?

No, you don’t need a water bath for cheesecake. At least not for this pumpkin cheesecake recipe.

Although water baths can be useful, I’ve made this recipe enough times to ensure you your cheesecake won’t crack as long as you don’t overbake it.

One less hassle for your cheesecake making.


easy Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe

Why did my cheesecake crack?

Because you don’t need a water bath, your cheesecake is slightly more prone to cracking. However, if you understand why cheesecake cracks, then you can prevent it from happening in the first place.

First reason is you overbaked your cheesecake, causing it to dry out and crack. This happens because you couldn’t tell when it was done.

Cheesecake is a custard not a cake so it will forever jiggle in the middle when you move it. No matter how long you bake it, the movement will not go away.

Cheesecake is done when it’s firm to the touch and only a small circle in the center jiggles when moved. If a large portion is moving, you can put it back in for another 5 minutes. Don’t use a knife to check as the hole left behind may cause cracking.

Another reason your cheesecake may crack is your pan is too small. Cheesecake batter will rise in the pan thanks to the eggs.

If your pan is too small, the batter may rise above your pan. As it cools, it’ll sink back into itself, which causes cracking.

How do you fix a cracked cheesecake?

Although your cheesecake shouldn’t crack, let’s say you baked it 5 minutes too long and it cracked. Now what?

The easiest way to fix a cracked cheesecake is to cover the evidence. Once you garnish with homemade whipped cream, nobody will ever know.

How do you make a cheesecake look good?

Usually I don’t garnish my cheesecake, but whipped cream was calling my name.

Then I dusted the top with some cinnamon then drizzled a bit of caramel sauce on top.


easy Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe

What To Do With Leftover Canned Pumpkin

You won’t use a whole can of pumpkin for cheesecake, so here are some more recipes to use up leftover pumpkin:

  • Cheddar Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes
  • Eggless Pumpkin Pie For Two (Gluten Free)
  • Deep Dish Mini Pumpkin Pies For Two
  • Single Serving Pumpkin Cookie

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Yield: 8-10 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cool Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

This creamy and easy Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe with a homemade graham cracker crust is a must-make Thanksgiving dessert and a great way to use up leftover canned pumpkin.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 24 ounces (Three 8-ounce packages) full-fat cream cheese, softened (do not sub fat free)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus more for dusting
  • Double Batch of Homemade Whipped Cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Have a 9 inch springform pan ready.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Pat into the bottom and roughly 2 inches up the side of the pan.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, for 1 minute each.
  5. Scrape down the bowl then add the pumpkin, vanilla, and cinnamon then beat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  6. Transfer the batter to the crust then bake 35-40 minutes or until the center is firm to the touch and only a small circle jiggles when you move the pan. Remove from the oven and cool 1 hour in the pan.
  7. Carefully run a knife along the edge to loosen the cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove the pan side before serving. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

If you’re looking for a small cheesecake, check out my 6 inch pumpkin cheesecake recipe.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • 9 Inch Springform Pan
    9 Inch Springform Pan
© Carla Cardello
Cuisine: American / Category: Cheesecake
Source: Adapted from Taste Of Home

Share this post → Email this to someone
email
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon
Share on Yummly
Yummly

Filed Under: Cheesecake Tagged With: cinnamon, cream cheese, fall, graham crackers, pumpkin, Thanksgiving

Did you make my recipe?

Please let me know by sharing a photo in my private Facebook group or uploading and tagging me on Instagram using #HITKrecipes (Note: If your Instagram account is private, I won't be able to see your photo)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meriem @ Culinary Couture says

    October 29, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    What a gorgeous cheesecake Carla!

    Reply
  2. Catherine says

    October 29, 2015 at 11:19 PM

    Dear Carla, your cheesecake looks marvelous! This would be a hit at my holiday gathering. Sounds absolutely splendid. xo, Catherine

    Reply
  3. Susie says

    November 8, 2015 at 10:22 PM

    Thanks for the recipes for pumpkin cheesecake and apple butter gooey butter cake, they both were a big hit at my get together tonight!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      November 9, 2015 at 9:26 AM

      You’re welcome! Glad to hear both recipes were a hit :)

      Reply
  4. Jamie says

    August 13, 2019 at 1:07 PM

    I love the flavors of this cheesecake! You can really taste the pumpkin!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      August 14, 2019 at 12:51 PM

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  5. Bobbi Jo says

    November 7, 2019 at 7:10 AM

    This looks delicious! You made me laugh when you talked about covering up the cracked cheesecake….I’ve done that before! I made a vanilla bean cheesecake and covered up the crack with a caramel glaze and whipped cream! No one knew :-).

    Reply
    • Carla says

      November 7, 2019 at 9:19 AM

      When in doubt, use whipped cream! ;)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Nice To Meet You!
I’m Carla, a 30-some childfree single woman from Pittsburgh, PA learning how to adult alone. I'm sharing recipes for two and small batch recipes made from scratch because not everybody cooks for a crowd.

Learn more →
Subscribe
Disclosures and Disclaimers

Footer

Stay Updated

Subscribe to new recipes via email:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
© Homemade In The Kitchen. All images and content are copyright protected and registered with the United States Copyright Office. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish a recipe, please link back to the post for the recipe. If you have any questions or would like permission, please contact me.
Disclosures, Disclaimers, and Private Policy

Latest Recipes

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

This small 6 Inch Gingerbread Cake recipe made from scratch without cake mix is a moist and fluffy cake that tastes like Christmas in every bite. Despite being under a stay at home advisory in ...

Read More

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes (Small Batch)

Dessert for two ideas for easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes made in a muffin pan. Small batch recipes make 6 mini cheesecakes. Once upon a time I used to be known as the Cheesecake Queen among my ...

Read More

Small Batch Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Cheesecakes (Small Batch)

Small Batch Mini Cheesecakes with a graham cracker crust are easy individual cheesecakes baked in a muffin pan. Serve with cherry pie filling as a dessert for two. Continuing my cheesecake ...

Read More

Small Chocolate Cheesecake recipe

6 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

In the mood to bake a small cheesecake? My 6 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe is a chocolate dessert for two with an Oreo crust and homemade ganache. Since all of this month I brought you both ...

Read More

6 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe

6 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

In the mood to bake a small cheesecake? This 6 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe is a creamy Thanksgiving dessert for two served with homemade whipped cream. Last week I mentioned not being able ...

Read More

6 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

6 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

Looking to bake a small cheesecake? My 6 Inch Cheesecake recipe is a creamy dessert for two ideal for any occasion. Garnish with cherry pie filling, whipped cream, and more! I've had several ...

Read More

What To Do With Leftover Egg Yolks

What To Do With Leftover Egg Yolks

Have leftover egg yolks in your kitchen? Here's a comprehensive recipe guide on what to do with leftover egg yolks so you don't have to throw them out again. After posting my What To Do With ...

Read More

What To Do With Leftover Egg Whites

What To Do With Leftover Egg Whites

Have leftover egg whites in your kitchen? Here's a comprehensive recipe guide on what to do with leftover egg whites so you don't have to throw them out again. I've been developing small batch ...

Read More

Small Coconut Cake Recipe

Small Coconut Cake Recipe

This 6 inch Small Coconut Cake recipe with coconut milk is a coconut cake for two from scratch decorated with homemade coconut frosting. As I mentioned in my last post, I've been busy these ...

Read More

Copyright© 2021 · Designed by Deluxe Designs

Footer

Stay Updated

Subscribe to new recipes via email:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
© Homemade In The Kitchen. All images and content are copyright protected and registered with the United States Copyright Office. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish a recipe, please link back to the post for the recipe. If you have any questions or would like permission, please contact me.
Disclosures, Disclaimers, and Private Policy

Latest Recipes

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

This small 6 Inch Gingerbread Cake recipe made from scratch without cake mix is a moist and fluffy cake that tastes like Christmas in every bite. Despite being under a stay at home advisory in ...

Read More

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes (Small Batch)

Dessert for two ideas for easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes made in a muffin pan. Small batch recipes make 6 mini cheesecakes. Once upon a time I used to be known as the Cheesecake Queen among my ...

Read More

Small Batch Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Cheesecakes (Small Batch)

Small Batch Mini Cheesecakes with a graham cracker crust are easy individual cheesecakes baked in a muffin pan. Serve with cherry pie filling as a dessert for two. Continuing my cheesecake ...

Read More

Small Chocolate Cheesecake recipe

6 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

In the mood to bake a small cheesecake? My 6 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe is a chocolate dessert for two with an Oreo crust and homemade ganache. Since all of this month I brought you both ...

Read More

6 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe

6 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

In the mood to bake a small cheesecake? This 6 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe is a creamy Thanksgiving dessert for two served with homemade whipped cream. Last week I mentioned not being able ...

Read More

6 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

6 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

Looking to bake a small cheesecake? My 6 Inch Cheesecake recipe is a creamy dessert for two ideal for any occasion. Garnish with cherry pie filling, whipped cream, and more! I've had several ...

Read More

What To Do With Leftover Egg Yolks

What To Do With Leftover Egg Yolks

Have leftover egg yolks in your kitchen? Here's a comprehensive recipe guide on what to do with leftover egg yolks so you don't have to throw them out again. After posting my What To Do With ...

Read More

What To Do With Leftover Egg Whites

What To Do With Leftover Egg Whites

Have leftover egg whites in your kitchen? Here's a comprehensive recipe guide on what to do with leftover egg whites so you don't have to throw them out again. I've been developing small batch ...

Read More

Small Coconut Cake Recipe

Small Coconut Cake Recipe

This 6 inch Small Coconut Cake recipe with coconut milk is a coconut cake for two from scratch decorated with homemade coconut frosting. As I mentioned in my last post, I've been busy these ...

Read More

Copyright© 2021 · Designed by Deluxe Designs