Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Whip Cream~ This is the kind of pumpkin cheesecake recipe that will melt in your mouth. It’s full of fall flavors and spices like nutmeg and candied ginger, add in a chocolate pumpkin layer and you have a dessert that begs to be your pumpkin kick off recipe.
Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Whip Cream
How do you decide what recipe is worthy when there’s a pumpkin shortage? Don’t start by sitting down and listing all your pumpkin recipes, unless you are prepared to be overwhelmed and frustrated by your inability to settle in on “the one”.
You go for it. Grab your bowl, measuring spoons and cups and dive right in, even if you have no ingredients for the crust. Did you notice? Yeah, I had nothing, not even graham crackers.
As it turns out, we didn’t miss having a crust at all in this pumpkin cheesecake recipe. The cheesecake is bursting with flavors, especially fall flavors. If you decide on making a crust, try using a gingersnap crust for added flavor.
Since the recipe only calls for 1 cup of pumpkin puree I still have enough for another pumpkin recipe. I’m hoping that from what I have been reading that the pumpkin shortage will soon be over and the sign on my local grocer’s shelve will be replaced with a rows of Libby’s canned pumpkin.
A few notes:
- If you decide not to make mini cheesecakes as I have, use an 8inch springform pan and increase the bake time by 15-20 minutes. Start checking for doneness at 12-15 minutes. The cheesecake is done when the center of the cake gives a slight jiggle when the pan is tapped.
- You can skip the chocolate layer if you wish, but I think it adds a nice depth of flavor.
- This pumpkin cheesecake can be made three days in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator
Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Whip Cream
Yields 12 2×3 mini cheesecakes
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1-1/4 cups ginger snaps
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
Cheesecake:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon of candied ginger
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut up,
- 1 tablespoons butter
Bourbon Whip Cream:
- 3/4 cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoon of bourbon
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg for sprinkling
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease pan. Combine In a, combine ginger snap crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl. Stir in the 1/3 cup melted butter. Press mixture evenly into bottom of the prepared baking pan; set aside.
- Add cream cheese and sugar into a bowl and beat on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Add pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, candied ginger, vanilla, and salt to the bowl and beat until combined. Remove 1 cup of the mixture.
- In a heat proof bowl combine the 6 ounces chocolate and the 1 tablespoons butter and place in an inch of simmering water. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Whisk chocolate mixture into the 1 cup pumpkin mixture. Pour over crust, spreading evenly. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Gently pour remaining pumpkin mixture over baked chocolate layer, spreading evenly. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes more or until filling is puffed. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before releasing.
- Whip cream until medium peaks form. Fold in bourbon and finish by drizzling caramel sauce on top and sprinkle with nutmeg seasoning.
Heavily adapted from Better Homes and Garden
Welcome to my cozy corner where baking meets random thoughts and musings. I’m a self-taught baker sharing all things sweet (and some savory—okay, and cocktails) with a whisk in one hand and a camera in the other. 
Ahhh this is what you made with your canned pumpkin! I need to figure out what to do with mine, my can has been sitting in the pantry for almost a year now!
I like how there are spices in this, the warmth of nutmeg and ginger always reminds me of Christmas.
where’s the recipe?
Naomi replied: — September 22nd, 2010 @ 4:20 pm
Hi Jan,
Yikes, so sorry. That post went up late last night by accident, I was in the middle of drafting it and must have hit published instead of save. I even have the wrong photo up, but in any case, I’ve posted the recipe.
Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Naomi
I adore pumpkin. This looks and feels very autumnal! Time to get the spices out 😀
Yum! I am so excited that it’s pumpkin season again! This recipe looks delicious!
This sounds delicious – I love cheesecake! Great picture too, what a unique bowl.
I love pumpkin, so this is right up my alley! These mini treats are perfect for the crisp, fall weather here in Ohio.
Wonderful idea for Thanksgiving. Flavorful and beautiful.
It’s been way too long since I made pumpkin cheesecake. Yours looks perfect.
I love how mini these cheesecakes are- and I’m completely amazed at how you managed to get them all out of their pans so neatly!
I haven’t even tasted this and I know it’s incredible just by that list of ingredients. Rock on girl!
Mmmm I swear I can smell pumpkin and nutmeg through my computer monitor…
Is there really a shortage AGAIN this year?!?!? I can’t take this! It’s making me TOO STRESSED OUT!
Oh but these look so delicious. i’m going to the store to stock up. Now.
OMG. I think I just died and went to heaven. This looks divine. Wow.
I love these little individual cheesecakes…they look super delish!
i just made mini pumpkin cheesecakes. it is certainly that time of year. i love the chocolate addition to yours! they look heavenly!
These look great, I am lucky to have some cans of pumpkin stashed away here as it’s difficult to find in London. These are a worthy way to use them!
These look amazing. You always do such a wonderful job with presentation. I’ve also got some cans of pumpkin stashed away. I wanted to make sure I got some before the holiday rush starts. My local store only had a handful of cans left.
WOW! These look amazing! I’m sure I wouldn’t eat just one either! I love pumpkin!
Love pumpkin cheesecake especially with gingersnap crust.
~ingrid
Naomi, I love pumpkin at this time of year and cheesecake anytime. And I’m really into “mini” anything. Your photos are gorgeous! Wish we’d had a chance to chat at camp on Saturday.
Is there really a shortage AGAIN this year?!?!? I can’t take this! It’s making me TOO STRESSED OUT!
Oh but these look so delicious. i’m going to the store to stock up. Now.
The plating looks amazing as does the photo. I’m always in awe of a well constructed food photo but I love the recipe and the concept too!
Thanks for sharing this.
Matt Kay
what kind of pan do you use to get these into the shape?
Naomi replied: — November 17th, 2010 @ 5:12 pm
Hi Kevin,
I used Chicago Metallic’s Mini Cheesecake Pan. You can find it at Sur La Table, William Sonoma and lots of places online.
Naomi
Abby replied: — December 1st, 2013 @ 1:19 pm
Hi Naomi,
If I use the Chicago Metallic Mini Cheesecake Pan 12 Cavity, 13.90-Inch by 10.60-Inch (2-Inch by 1.6-Inch Cavities) the steps are the same (minus the rack cooling) and will still be backed for 15 minutes at 325, and then an additional 40-45 minutes, correct? These look gorgeous!
Gorgeous presentation.. fabulous recipe!!
Hey… Looks good, what about fresh pumpkin?
Is there something I can use instead of candied ginger?
The cheesecakes look great. What type of pans in terms of size were used for them?
Hello,
How do u prevent the butter from dripping out the bottom of the pan in the oven and smoking up the place? Also, I think I had too much chocolate layer because it doesn’t look propionate like yours lol.