Description
When autumn arrives, cozy flavors take center stage, and nothing embodies this spirit quite like Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars. These bars combine the creamy richness of cheesecake with the warm, spiced essence of pumpkin, all resting on a buttery graham cracker crust. Perfect for gatherings or solo indulgence, they deliver fall comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
1 ½ cups (170 g) graham cracker crumbs
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed
7 Tablespoons (100 g) salted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
24 oz (680 g) cream cheese, softened
¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
½ cup (113 g) sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
Pumpkin Spiced Component
⅔ cup (168 g) canned pumpkin
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice
Instructions
Prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Stir in melted butter until well combined. Press firmly into a greased 9×9 inch (22×22 cm) baking pan.
Make the cheesecake filling: Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add sour cream, vanilla, and eggs, mixing until fully incorporated.
Incorporate pumpkin: Gently fold in pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice until evenly mixed.
Bake: Pour filling over crust. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is just set (slight jiggle is okay).
Cool and chill: Allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours before slicing into bars.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, substitute fresh pumpkin puree (well-drained) for canned.
Slightly underbake for creamier texture; it will set as it chills.
Chill overnight for best flavor melding.
Optional toppings: whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or cinnamon sprinkle.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: <1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: pumpkin cheesecake bars, fall dessert, Thanksgiving recipe, pumpkin spice