Description
Indulgent pumpkin cheesecake bars combine autumn’s warmth with creamy richness, blending spiced graham cracker crust and silky pumpkin filling. Seasonal dessert perfection awaits when craving comfort on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) cinnamon
Cheesecake Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) vanilla extract
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) salt
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, then firmly press the mixture into a lined baking pan to create a compact base.
- Bake the crust at 350°F for 10 minutes until golden and set, then remove and allow to cool slightly.
- Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Incorporate pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the cream cheese mixture, blending until uniform in color and texture.
- Gently fold eggs into the mixture one at a time, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next.
- Stir in vanilla extract and mix until the filling becomes silky and well-combined.
- Carefully pour the pumpkin cheesecake filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Bake at 325°F for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow the bars to firm up and develop optimal flavor.
- Cut into precise squares and serve chilled for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends effortlessly.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie dessert option that still tastes deliciously indulgent.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- 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: 60 mg