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Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake is the delicious epitome of the fall season. It’s a heavenly trio of creamy cheesecake, luscious pumpkin filling, and crunchy pecans.

A slice of pumpkin cheesecake on a plate.

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More than just a dessert; this pumpkin cheesecake is a celebration of fall in every bite. From the crunchy pecan crust to the layered flavors of pumpkin and spices, this treat offers a delicious complexity that makes it perfect for a holiday meal, or any time you want and easy-to-make but still special dessert. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or treating yourself, it’s a choice you won’t regret.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake Recipe

What sets this Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake apart is the layering of textures and flavors. The crunchy pecan crust sets off the creamy cheesecake and velvety pumpkin filling. In one bite, you get the essence of fall, redolent with the intriguing flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

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The pecan crust is baked in the oven before adding the filling, but the cheesecake filling and pumpkin filling do not need to be baked. Once filled with the pumpkin cheesecake filling, you’ll let the cheesecake chill in the refrigerator to set the filling. So even though you do need to bake the crust, this pumpkin pecan cheesecake recipe is otherwise a no-bake cheesecake.

It’s the perfect cheesecake for Thanksgiving. And the cheesecake can be made up to 2 days ahead of time, which is great when you’re preparing a full Thanksgiving feast.

Pumpkin pie ingredients on a counter.

Ingredients You Need

To make this easy pumpkin cheesecake recipe, you only need some basic

  • Pecans: Instead of traditional graham cracker crumbs, this crust is made with finely chopped pecans. Coarsely chopped pecans provide a bit of crunch on top of the cheesecake. You can substitute walnuts if pecans aren’t available.
  • Sugar: Basic granulated sugar works well in both the crust and filling.
  • Butter: Melted butter holds the crust together. You can use either salted or unsalted butter.
  • Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for a rich texture and flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Vanilla Extract: For that subtle background flavor. I really like the Native Vanilla extract.
  • Eggs: Use large or extra-large eggs, and make sure they are at room temperature to ensure even mixing.
  • Pumpkin puree: Be sure you are using 100 percent pumpkin, not pie filling, which has additional spices and sugar.
  • Evaporated milk: This adds to the creaminess of the pumpkin filling. Don’t use sweetened condensed milk, which has added sugar and will make it too sweet.
  • Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, your fall-flavor champions.

How to Make It

Making a Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake is pretty straightforward. It’s even easier than making a pumpkin pecan pie. The method to make this creamy pumpkin cheesecake can be broken down into a simple process. Here’s how to make this layered dessert.

  1. Make the crust: First, grease a 9-inch springform pan. Combine the finely chopped pecans, sugar, and melted butter. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.
  2. Pre-bake the crust: Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a rack before adding the filling layers.
  3. Make the cream cheese layer: Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and an egg together until smooth. Pour the cheesecake filling into the cooled crust and spread the mixture into an even layer.
  4. Make the pumpkin layer: Combine the eggs, pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, sugar, and spices. Pour the mixture over the cream cheese layer and spread evenly.
  5. Bake: Bake in a preheated for around an hour.
  6. Cool: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then use a knife to loosen the edges to prevent the cheesecake from sticking to the sides.
  7. Add the pecan topping: Add coarsely chopped pecans on top.
  8. Chill overnight: Chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight to set the fillings.
A slice of pumpkin cheesecake on a plate.

More fall desserts you’ll love

If you love fall flavors, you don’t want to miss my Honey Cake or Honey Cookies, which are both rich with the flavor of honey. For even more of the pumpkin spice flavors, try Ginger Snap Cookies.

Some of my other favorite fall desserts are Apple Galette and Apple Cider Donut Cake—they both make the most of fall’s bounty of apples. And of course, more the more pumpkin the better—try my other pumpkin recipes, Pumpkin Bundt Cake with a delicious coffee glaze, and Pumpkin Ice Cream with cinnamon. 

A slice of pumpkin cheesecake on a plate with whipped cream and pecans.

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

Robin Donovan
This decadent cheesecake provides all the flavors of fall combining pumpkin pie, cheesecake filling, and a crunchy pecan crust. It's the perfect dessert for your Thanksgiving table or for any celebratory fall meal.
4.70 from 10 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Chilling time 2 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 14 servings
Calories 128 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the crust:

  • 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

For the cream cheese filling:

  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg at room temperature, lightly beaten

For the pumpkin filling:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin, not pie filling!)
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch salt
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions
 

  • Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
  • To make the crust, combine the finely chopped pecans, sugar, and butter in a small bowl.
  • Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • Place pan on a baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes at 400°F. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  • For the cream cheese filling, in a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together until smooth. Add the egg and beat on low until combined.
  • For the pumpkin filling, in a medium bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust in an even layer.
  • Pour the pumpkin filling over the cream cheese mixture and spread it into an even layer.
  • Heat the oven to 350 °F and bake the cheesecake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes
  • Carefully run a knife around the edge of the springform pan to loosen the cheesecake, and continue to cool the cheesecake in the pan for another hour.
  • Sprinkle the additional pecans over cheesecake and chill overnight before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 46mgPotassium: 86mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 159IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword cheesecake, gluten free pumpkin pie, thanksgiving dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
By on September 1st, 2023
Photo of Robin Donovan

About Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan is the creative force behind All Ways Delicious. She's a writer, recipe developer, photographer, and cookbook author with more than 40 books to her name, including the bestselling Ramen for Beginners, Ramen Obsession, and Campfire Cuisine. Her work has been featured in major publications, both print and digital, including MSN, Cooking Light, Fitness, Buzzfeed, and Eating Well. → More about Robin

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6 thoughts on “Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake”

  1. 5 stars
    Yummy cheesecake! The pecans did well in giving a crunchy feeling. It was my first time doing it so I appreciated the detailed instructions with photos. I got to see that I was doing things right! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I have a deep affection for cheesecake recipes, and this pumpkin cheesecake was an absolute delight! Its remarkable texture and creamy consistency paired with the wholesome addition of pumpkin and pecans left me craving for more. It’s truly a must-try dessert that exceeded all my expectations.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    Loved this pumpkin cheesecake! The pecan crust is so unique and the texture was just *chef’s kiss*! Super smooth with the perfect mix of creamy cheesecake and rich pumpkin. This is definitely a new fall favorite in our house!

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    Just whipped up a slice of this Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake! It’s such a delightful taste of autumn – creamy, pumpkiny, and with that perfect pecan crunch. A definite win for fall desserts.

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    The crust was my favorite part! Great texture and taste and I’d take this over pumpkin pie any day. Definitely going on the Thanksgiving short list!

    Reply

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