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Quick, easy and baked in a 9×13 pan! A simple gingersnap cookie crust is topped with a pumpkin cheesecake layer that’s loaded with those traditional Fall flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. Then it’s finished off with caramel, toasted pecans and a dollop of whipped cream.
No one will be asking you where the pumpkin pie is this holiday season because they’ll be too busy diving face first into these bars!
Why you’re going to love these pumpkin cheesecake bars:
- They’re SUPER easy to throw together. 12 simple ingredients come together in just 10 minutes to make this seasonal favorite. Move over pumpkin pie – there’s a new (easier) holiday dessert in town!
- They are better than any pumpkin pie I’ve ever had. Pumpkin pie is great, but it’s pretty bland when you compare it to the gingersnap and pecan crust of these cheesecake bars. Top that crust with rich, creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling and drizzle with caramel for a holiday dessert that’s going to blow that boring pumpkin pie out of the water!
- They’re unexpected which will make them a family holiday favorite! If you’ve got cheesecake lovers in your family, this might be a flavor they’ve never tried before! Wow them with these magical fall flavors, silky cheesecake and crispy gingersnap crust!
How to make pumpkin cheesecake bars:
Add gingersnaps to a food processor and process until they are a crumb texture. Transfer to a bowl.
Process pecans until they are a crumb texture.
Add to bowl along with melted butter. Stir to combine. Press crust mixture into the bottom of a lined 9×13 pan in an even layer.
Place cream cheese in a large bowl.
Use a hand mixer to whip it until it’s creamy.
Add pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt.
Mix until combined.
Then add eggs and vanilla.
Mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
Pour cheesecake batter on top of the crust and use a spatula to spread it in an even layer.
Bake, uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until the edges of the cheesecake start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the center is set but still jiggly.
Allow to cool completely, then slice bars, top with caramel, whipped cream and pecans and enjoy!
Tips for making the best pumpkin cheesecake bars:
- Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature. I actually like to leave by cream cheese and eggs out overnight on the counter so that they are completely at room temp before I start baking.
- If you’re using parchment paper to line the pan, make sure you’ve got little METAL clothespins to hold the parchment paper up and away (see pictures above) or it will fold over the cheesecake. Make sure they are metal and NOT wood as those will burn in the oven.
- Once you’ve added the eggs, mix batter JUST until combined. Do not over mix. This can cause the top of the cheesecake to crack and can also yield and undesirable texture.
- The cheesecake will still be quite jiggly when it’s done. This is normal. As long as the edges are set and pulling away from the sides of the pan, the cheesecake is cooked! It will continue to set as it cools in the fridge. Cooking cheesecake too long will yield a dry cheesecake.
- Wipe your knife clean after each cut for flawless slices. Use a sharp knife and after cutting each slice, wipe the knife clean with a paper towel or kitchen towel. This will ensure that your slices come out picture perfect!
What kind of pan to use:
- Did I mention that these pumpkin cheesecake bars bake in the little black dress of bakeware? The 9×13 inch pan! No spring form business, no water bath nonsense. Just simple, straight forward, delicious pumpkin cheesecake.
- Cheesecake doesn’t have to be daunting or difficult!! Lining your baking dish with parchment paper or tin foil also makes clean up (and slicing this dessert) a breeze!
If you liked these cheesecake bars, be sure to check out these other family favorites:
- Easy Turtle Cheesecake Bars
- Easy Peppermint Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- 30 Minute Baked Ravioli
- Quick 10 Minute Lasagna
- Beer Braised Pork Carnitas
The Easiest Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
These pumpkin cheesecake bars are quick, easy and seriously almost TOO good (if there is such a thing)! The crust is a simple mixture of gingersnap cookies, pecans and melted butter. The classic pumpkin cheesecake layer is loaded with those traditional Fall flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. Then it’s finished off with a drizzle of caramel, toasted chopped pecans and a dollop of whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Crust:
- 12 oz. gingersnap cookies
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 7 tablespoons melted butter
Cheesecake:
- 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon all spice
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 eggs, room temperature
Toppings:
- caramel sauce
- toasted chopped pecans
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Add gingersnaps and pecans to a food processor and process until they are a crumb texture. Mix with melted butter.
- Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper or tin foil. Press crust mixture into the bottom of the pan in an even layer.
- Place cream cheese in a large bowl and use a hand mixer to whip it until it’s creamy.
- Add pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt. Mix until combined.
- Then add vanilla and eggs and mix until well combined, smooth and creamy. Be sure not to over mix though.
- Pour cheesecake batter on top of the crust and use a spatula to spread it in an even layer.
- Bake, uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until the edges of the cheesecake start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the center is set but still jiggly.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 hours on the counter. Then refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
- Slice bars, top with caramel, whipped cream and pecans and enjoy!
Notes
Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature. I actually like to leave by cream cheese and eggs out overnight on the counter so that they are completely at room temp before I start baking.
If you’re using parchment paper to line the pan, make sure you’ve got little METAL clothespins to hold the parchment paper up and away (see pictures above) or it will fold over the cheesecake. Make sure they are metal and NOT wood as those will burn in the oven.
Once you’ve added the eggs, mix batter JUST until combined. Do not over mix. This can cause the top of the cheesecake to crack and can also yield and undesirable texture.
The cheesecake will still be quite jiggly when it’s done. This is normal. As long as the edges are set and pulling away from the sides of the pan, the cheesecake is cooked! It will continue to set as it cools in the fridge. Cooking cheesecake too long will yield a dry cheesecake.
Wipe your knife clean after each cut for flawless slices. Use a sharp knife and after cutting each slice, wipe the knife clean with a paper towel or kitchen towel. This will ensure that your slices come out picture perfect!
Keywords: pumpkin pie cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bars
This post was originally published in October of 2018. It was updated in October of 2019 to include process shots, step-by-step instructions and tips for making the best pumpkin cheesecake bars every single time!
mondayswitholiver
Oooo…I’m saving this one for our Halloween potluck at work!
Midwest Foodie
Great idea! Your co-workers will love them!! 🙂