Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake Recipes

THE BEST PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Add the gingersnap cookies, melted butter and salt to a food processor. Process until the crumb mixture looks like coarse sand, about 30 seconds. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until it is fragrant and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
• Remove the crust to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan tightly with foil and place in a roasting pan.
• For the filling: Add the cream cheese to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the sour cream, vanilla and salt and beat just until combined.
• Scoop 3 cups of the cheesecake filling into a medium bowl. Add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and 1/4 cup water and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined. Bring a pot or kettle of water to a boil.
• Fill a 1-cup measure with plain cheesecake filling and pour into the center of the cooled crust. Fill a 1-cup measure with pumpkin filling and pour into the center of the plain filling. The batter will spread as you add alternating scoops, widening to form concentric circles. Repeat with the remaining batter in 1/2-cup increments alternating between flavors, until all the batter is used.
• Carefully place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out of the oven). Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the foil-wrapped pan.
• Bake until the top of the cheesecake is lightly browned around the edges, but the center is still jiggly, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the cheesecake sit in the oven until the center becomes just slightly jiggly, about 1 hour (see Cook's Note).
• Carefully remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a wire rack. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• For the spiced pumpkin seeds: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the pumpkin seeds, oil, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt and cloves in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and roast until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the pumpkin caramel: Melt the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until caramelized and dark amber (a digital instant-read or candy thermometer should register 245 degrees F), about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally with a whisk. Lower the heat to low. Carefully whisk in the heavy cream and butter and continue stirring until melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, ginger and cloves until combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving.
• To serve: Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Unlock the springform pan and remove the ring. Sprinkle the spiced pumpkin seeds around the top outer edge of the cheesecake. Dip a knife in a warm water and wipe dry before slicing each piece. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of the pumpkin caramel.

RICH AND CREAMY PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Wrap a double layer of WIDE heavy-duty aluminum foil around the outside of a 10-inch springform pan. (To make it watertight).
• Combine the graham crackers, sugar, and cinnamon, drizzle the melted butter over crumbs and mix.
• Press the crumbs over the bottom (not the sides) of the prepared pan.
• Bake in the middle of the oven until the crust is slightly golden, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack and cool while preparing the filling.
• To make the Filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy.
• Beat the eggs one at a time.
• Add the pumpkin, cream, vanilla and spices and beat just until mixed.
• Pour the filing into the prepared crust.
• Place the springform pan in a large roasting pan and add hot water to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
• Bake the cheesecake until the filling is slightly puffed and softly set and the top is golden, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a wire rack to cool.
• Cover and refrigerate the cake overnight.
• Use a knife to cut around the side of the pan to loosen the cheesecake.

CLASSIC PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Wrap the outside (bottom and sides) of a 9-inch springform pan with foil to prevent leaking. Make the crust: Toss the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar in a bowl until combined. Firmly press into the bottom of the pan. Bake until set and a few shades darker, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Make the filling: Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 more minutes. Add the pumpkin, sour cream, pie spice, vanilla and salt and beat until combined. Add the eggs and beat on medium-low speed until just combined; switch to a rubber spatula for the last few stirs, making sure to get the bottom of the bowl. Pour the filling into the cooled crust; gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to release any air bubbles.
• Set the cheesecake in a roasting pan or large baking dish and set on the middle oven rack. Carefully pour the boiling water into the roasting pan until it comes one-third of the way up the sides of the springform pan. Bake the cheesecake until it's set around the edges but the center is still jiggly, about 1 1/2 hours. Turn the oven off, crack the door open slightly and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 30 to 45 more minutes. Transfer to a rack, run a thin knife around the edge and let cool completely. Cover the cheesecake and refrigerate until fully chilled, at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature about 30 minutes before serving. Remove the springform ring. Top with whipped cream.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE CAKE WITH PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• The cheesecake: Preheat the oven to 325*F. Place a large oven safe pan on the lower rack of the oven. Place a kettle of water on the stove to boil. Spray a 9-inch spring-form pan with nonstick spray similar to Baker's Secret.
• Cut a parchment circle, line bottom of springform pan and spray parchment with non-stick spray.
• Wrap foil around and up the sides of your springform pan. Tuck the points around the top edge to secure it.
• In a large bowl, use mixer to blend the cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add sugar and salt, miz approximately 2 more minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each one.
• Add sour cream, whipping cream and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
• Pour the batter into prepared pan. Set pan in your large oven safe pan inside preheated oven. Pour the boiling water into the large pan so it reaches 1/2 way up the side of the springform pan.
• Bake the cheesecake for 45 minutes. It should be just set.
• Carefully remove the cheesecake pan from the water bath. Cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes. Run a knife around edge and continue to cool completely.
• Carefully place a plate on top of cooled cheesecake layer and flip it over onto plate. Remove parchment paper.
• Cover in plastic wrap and freeze.
• The cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray like Baker's Secret. Cut a round of parchment paper, line the pan and spray again with non-stick spray. I always use cake strips for every cake I bake so that my cakes always have nice, flat tops. So if you will be using them, soak them and attach them now.
• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the oil and sugars. Mix until thoroughly combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in the pumpkin. Beat well.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour all other dry ingredients.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating between the wet and dry ingredients until everything is combined.
• Pour the batter into your 2 prepared pans.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool the cake in the pans for at least 15 minutes and then remove to wire rack, remove parchment and cool completely.
• The frosting: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese, butter, pumpkin, spices and vanilla. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix until combined. Add 1 additional cup of sugar slowly and continue to mix until smooth and creamy. If you frosting is too thin, carefully add a little bit of sugar. If it's too stiff, carefully add a little bit of milk or cream.
• If you did not use cake strips on your pans, carefully level your cakes now. Put the first cake layer on your cake plate. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer, unwrap it and put it on top of the first layer. If the cheesecake is larger than the cake layer, wait 15 minutes for the cheesecake to soften slightly and trim it to fit. Put the 2nd cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake.
• Keep cake refrigerated until served.
• Tip- I usually have leftover frosting. It is wonderful on pancakes or pumpkin muffins!