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Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Are you ready to be the talk of Thanksgiving? Or rather, are you ready for your Pumpkin Cheesecake to be the talk of Thanksgiving? Because it will. Well, it will after your cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, friends, parents, grandparents have put their forks down long enough to talk in between creamy, chocolaty, Oreo filled mouthfuls. This Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe is so out of this world delicious that I can guarantee it will become a family favorite handed down for generations – much like my mom’s famous pumpkin bread recipe and famous pumpkin pie. My mom brings her pumpkin pie every year to Thanksgiving. And then one year my mom brought her famous pumpkin pie AND a pumpkin cheesecake. It felt almost like betrayal to say we liked the pumpkin cheesecake better – but we all did. I mean, it is cheesecake AND pumpkin! Now, let me assure you that if you have never made cheesecake before, it is EASY. I have included detailed instructions to hopefully answer any questions, but the actual method is quite simple so please don’t be scared away because you and your Thanksgiving guests need this cheesecake. Its future tradition. I have also included full proof methods to water proof your cheesecake AND you can make your easy Pumpkin Cheesecake the day before Thanksgiving so there is no last minute stress!
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Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake
Inspired by my mom’s pumpkin cheesecake, I’ve turned it into a double pumpkin cheesecake – which naturally is exponentially more delicious than plain pumpkin cheesecake with hardly any more effort. Because Thanksgiving is time to bring out the big guns of desserts. Thanksgiving is the time for a crust of buttery Oreos, topped with creamy cheesecake, further topped with creamy pumpkin cheesecake spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, topped with homemade whipped cream, crushed Oreos and drizzled with chocolate. Just look at those layers… Once you taste this Pumpkin Cheesecake you will be itching for the first winds of Fall every year just so your pumpkin cheesecake making can begin because you can’t have this cheesecake just once a year. Its just not possible. The cravings of creamy pumpkin cheesecake, Oreo and chocolate will just be too strong.
Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Ingredients
Pumpkin Cheesecake doesn’t require any exotic ingredients. You will need:
Oreos Butter: use unsalted butter Cream cheese: full fat is best Sugar Eggs Lemon juice: this does not need to be freshly squeezed, bottled is fine Vanilla extract Sour cream: full fat is best Pure pumpkin: NOT pumpkin pie filling because it has already been sweetened Ground cinnamon Ground cloves Ground nutmeg Heavy whipping cream: you may substitute cool whip instead of making your own whipping cream Semi-sweet bakers chocolate: bakers chocolate melts much better than chocolate chips but if you are in a bind then high quality chocolate chips will work
This list of ingredients may seem ordinary, but I promise they will become extraordinary in this Pumpkin Cheesecake! The addition of sour cream and lemon juice produce the best pumpkin cheesecake flavor and the eggs/egg yolk produce a wonderfully rich cheesecake. The cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg combined with the pumpkin puree translate into warm pumpkin pie flavor and the heavy cream creates the most luscious whipped topping to cut through the richness of your Pumpkin Cheesecake. And then there are the buttery Oreos and chocolate. They elevate this Pumpkin Cheesecake into award winning Pumpkin Cheesecake like none you have tasted before.
How to bake a cheesecake in a water bath
There are two things people are generally afraid of when it comes to cheesecakes: 1) the water bath leaking and 2) cracks. But I have a full proof method for each! A water bath is simply placing the springform cheesecake pan inside a roasting pan and filling the roasting pan up with water until it reaches about half way up the springform pan. The hot water insulates the outer edges of the cheesecake, so the edges don’t bake faster than the middle. This ensures even baking throughout and lessens the likelihood of the cheesecake cracking.
How to Water Proof Pumpkin Cheesecake
The typical way to waterproof a springform pan involves wrapping it foil but this is not fool proof. Instead, you can either: If you use either of the aforementioned methods, your Pumpkin Cheesecake will be 100% leak free and you will be very very happy!
How to prevent cheesecake cracks
We are going to cover our Pumpkin Cheesecake with whipped cream, crushed Oreos and chocolate, so don’t stress too much about cracks. Still, there are some easy steps you can take to ensure a beautifully crack- free Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Use a water bath: As previously mentioned, the hot water insulates the outer edges of the cheesecake, so the edges don’t bake faster than the middle. Room temperature ingredients: Room temperature eggs, sour cream and softened cream cheese allow them to mix more easily and evenly and reduces the risk of cracks. Properly softened cream cheese will also be smooth without any lumps. Mix well: Mix your cream cheese and butter very will until it is light and fluffy. Don’t peek! It is paramount that you don’t open the oven while your cheesecake is cooking to prevent cracking. Opening the door dramatically lowers the temperature and causes your cheesecake to sink and crack. Don’t overbake: Over baking the cheesecake causes the filling to shrink and crack. You want the edges to be firm but the center to wobble slightly when shaken. Cool in oven: Sudden changes in temperature can cause cracks so by allowing the Pumpkin Cheesecake to cool in the oven and then on the counter before placing it in thee refrigerator lets it gradually adjust to each temperature. This cooling process can take some time, so plan accordingly and don’t start making your cheesecake at 9pm (guilty!).
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
Crust: Use both the filling and the cookie in the crust. I am always surprised how often I get that question! I use my food processor to finely ground my oreos but you can also put them in a plastic bag and pound or roll with a rolling pin. To quickly bring eggs to room temperature: fill a bowl with warm water (not hot) and add eggs and let sit 10-20 minutes. Beat until fluffy: Use the paddle attachment on your electric mixture to beat your cream cheese and sugar for about 5 minutes. This is the time to get your cheesecake light and fluffy because you don’t want to overmix after we add the rest of the ingredients. Don’t over-beat eggs: After you add the eggs, take care not to overbeat to prevent cracking and a smooth texture. Freeze to layer: After you add your first layer of plain cheesecake, place the cheesecake into the freezer while you prepare the pumpkin layer so it can harden a little to create a more defined layers. Take care you place your pan in the freezer so that it is level otherwise your layers will not be even. A little jiggle: Your Pumpkin Cheesecake is done when the the edges are firm and the center of the cheesecake is still jiggly, but NOT runny. The Pumpkin Cheesecake will continue to cook and firm up while it cools. To gently cool: To prevent cracking due to immediate temperature changes, turn off your oven when the Pumpkin Cheesecake is done and crack open the oven door. Allow your cheesecake to cool in oven for 60 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and gently run a hot knife along the edges of the cheesecake. Release springform and continue to cool for 2-3 hours or until cheesecake is completely cooled. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE CRACKS ANYWAY?
We have already 99% eliminated the chance of cracks by using a water bath, not peeking on our cheesecake during cooking as sudden changes in temperature often cause cracking, and our slow cooling method (explained above) but for that 1% chance you do experience a crack or two, this recipe boasts a heavy cream whipped topping which means any possible cracks never happened.
When ready to serve, beat heavy cream and sugar on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over pumpkin cheesecake and top with crushed Oreos. Melt chocolate in microwave, mixing at 30 second intervals until melted. Stir in oil and drizzle over cheesecake by placing chocolate in a Ziploc bag, and cutting off the corner.
CAN I USE A STORE BOUGHT CRUST FOR THIS RECIPE?
I don’t recommend a store-bought crust for this Pumpkin Cheesecake because we are using a springform pan and store-bought crusts are made for pie pans and are not enough crust (the ratio of cheesecake to crust would be off). My oreo crust is very simple and just requires butter + Oreos and is the perfect proportions for our decadent Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Can you freeze Pumpkin Cheesecake?
Yes! Cheesecake freezes very well. You can freeze the Pumpkin Cheesecake before adding the whipped topping and oreos to the top.
How to Freeze Pumpkin Cheesecake:
Cool cheesecake completely and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Place chilled cheesecake on a baking pan and place, uncovered, in the freezer. Freeze until firm. Remove from the freezer then wrap cheesecake in plastic wrap followed by heavy duty aluminum foil and finally in a large heavy duty freezer bag. Pumpkin Cheesecake can be frozen for 2-3 months. To thaw, remove Pumpkin Cheesecake from freezer to the refrigerator. Let thaw overnight. Garnish cheesecake with whipped cream, Oreos and chocolate when ready to serve.
Glorious Double Layer Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecake. Another reason to be thankful.
LOOKING FOR MORE PUMPKIN RECIPES?
Pumpkin Praline Pie Pumpkin Bread Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Cookie with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pound Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze Pumpkin Bars with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting Easy Pumpkin Dip Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
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©Carlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com These directions are long because they are detailed (so there are no questions for anyone has never made a cheesecake before), but they are simple, so please don’t be scared away!
You might also like these Thanksgiving recipes:
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze Apple Cranberry Bacon Candied Walnut Salad Dijon Maple Green Beans with Caramelized Pecans, Bacon and Feta Herb Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Gruyere and Bacon Cornbread Sausage Stuffing
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