Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Recipe
This Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake combines the creamy richness of classic cheesecake with warm, festive pumpkin spice flavors. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust and a beautiful marbled pumpkin swirl, this dessert is perfect for fall holidays and cozy gatherings.
- Author: Lena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the cheesecake:
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
For garnish (optional):
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for dusting
- Caramel sauce or pumpkin pie spice for drizzling
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the crust and cheesecake.
- Mix Crust Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until fully moistened.
- Press the Crust: Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan, creating an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool.
- Beat the Cream Cheese: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese and beat until well combined.
- Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the bowl sides to maintain smooth texture.
- Add Sour Cream: Beat in the sour cream until the mixture is uniform and creamy.
- Divide the Batter: Separate the batter into two bowls: about two-thirds in one and one-third in the other.
- Make Pumpkin Mixture: Stir pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt into the smaller bowl until smooth.
- Layer the Cheesecake: Spoon dollops of the pumpkin mixture over the plain batter in the pan. Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl, creating a marbled pattern.
- Bake the Cheesecake: Bake for 55-60 minutes until the center is set but slightly jiggles when the pan is shaken gently.
- Cool in Oven: Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door ajar for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
- Chill: Cover the cheesecake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to set properly.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the batter.
- Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control spice and sweetness levels.
- Swirling the pumpkin mixture gently helps create a beautiful marbled effect without over-mixing.
- Cooling the cheesecake in the oven with the door ajar prevents cracks on the surface.
- Chill the cheesecake thoroughly before serving for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cheesecake)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin swirl cheesecake, fall dessert, Thanksgiving dessert, cream cheese dessert