Ingredients
- Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 12 whole crackers)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin pie mix
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon real vanilla extract
- Optional Toppings:
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pumpkin pie spice (for dusting)
- Toasted pecans
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F.
- Make the crust: Pulse graham crackers into fine crumbs. Mix with sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Press into bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 8 minutes and let cool.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar with paddle attachment for 5 minutes until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin pie mix, eggs, sour cream, flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and vanilla. Add pumpkin mixture to the cream cheese mixture and mix on low until combined.
- Bake the cheesecake: Pour filling into the cooled crust and bake at 350°F for 1 hour, or until center is just slightly wobbly. Turn off oven, crack the door open, and let cheesecake rest inside for 45 minutes.
- Cool and chill: Let cheesecake cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Make whipped cream (optional): Chill mixing bowl. Beat heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy—about 2 minutes.
- Serve: Remove cheesecake from springform pan. Top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and toasted pecans if desired.
Notes
- Use a water bath for gentler baking and to prevent cracks.
- Pumpkin pie mix is already spiced and sweetened—do not substitute with plain puree.
- Make a day ahead for best texture and flavor.
- Slice with a hot knife for clean cuts.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
