Ever since I published plain no-bake cheesecake, I’ve had requests for this flavor! This no-bake pumpkin cheesecake is smooth and creamy with extra spiced flavor. It sits in a crunchy gingersnap cookie crust that provides the best textural contrast to the fluffy mousse-like filling. There’s absolutely no oven requiredโthe dessert sets up in the refrigerator, making it a convenient make-ahead option this fall season.
There aren’t many seasonal desserts that top pumpkin pie. A dessert tradition this time of year, pumpkin pie features a smooth spiced filling sitting in a wonderfully flaky pie crust. It’s hard to compete with this kind of perfection.
But I found something that comes shockingly close. Let me introduce you to no-bake pumpkin cheesecake. A dessert recipe that skips the oven, says goodbye to pie crust, and waves toodaloo to any sort of cheesecake water bath. It tastes like cheesecake mousse with the deeply spiced flavor of pumpkin pie. This is a great place to use homemade pumpkin pie spice!
Sitting in a flavorful gingersnap cookie crust, this ultra creamy dessert is unforgettable. If you don’t fall in love, I’ll happily take your leftovers.
Why You’ll Love No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake:
- Texture: crunchy crust, light & creamy filling
- Flavor: cinnamon gingersnap crust and pumpkin spiced filling
- Ease: no water bath, no baking, no cheesecake cracks on top, no worries
- Convenience: save precious oven space for other dishes
- Make-ahead: filling sets and flavor tastes better
One reader, Whitney, commented: “Simple to whip up and oh-so delicious! I loved this as an ‘update’ to a traditional pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. The filling was light and airy, and the gingersnap crust packed a spicy punch! I will definitely add this to my Thanksgiving Day dessert menu for years to come! โ โ โ โ โ ”
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Video Tutorial
Gingersnap Cookie Crust
With more flavor and crunch than a graham cracker crust, a gingersnap cookie crust isn’t just there in the background. Instead, it’s a whole other layer to savor. You need gingersnap cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. To make this crust a cut above the rest, I suggest adding cinnamon and ginger too. This is exactly how I prepare the crust for my (baked) pumpkin swirl cheesecake, though you need a little more of each ingredient for this recipe.
3 Success Tips:
- Type of cookie: The type of gingersnap cookie you use will make or break the recipe. (Literally.) I’ve never had luck using homemade gingersnaps. Pick up a box/bag of store-bought gingersnaps, such as Stauffer’s brand. You can find them in the cookie aisle of most grocery stores. You want extra crunchy, hard, and somewhat dry cookies. If they’re too moist, your crust won’t set up.
- Pack it in: The tighter you pack in this crust, the less likely it will fall apart when cutting the cheesecake. I recommend using the bottom of a measuring cup to pack it into the bottom and up the sides of your springform pan.
- Briefly freeze to set the crust: After you pack in the crust, place it in the freezer while you prepare the cheesecake filling. Remember, we aren’t baking this crustโthe freezer gives the crust a chance to set before you add the filling on top.
Don’t want to use gingersnap cookies? Use the graham cracker crust from my plain no-bake cheesecake.
Overview: How to Make No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- Whip heavy cream: In the 1st bowl, beat heavy cream/heavy whipping cream into stiff peaks. This is the most important step in this entire recipe and *the secret* to a thick no-bake cheesecake filling. It has proved successful in strawberry cream cheese pie and blueberry cream cheese pie also.
- Mix the other filling ingredients together: In a 2nd bowl, you need cream cheese, canned pumpkin, confectioners’ sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, spices, and salt. In my recipe testing, I used my plain no-bake cheesecake as the starting point. Pumpkin thins the mixture out, so I had to play with the amount of cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Thrilled with the developed recipe belowโspiced, thickened, and perfectly pumpkin-y.
- Fold in the whipped cream: Remember our whipped cream? Gently fold it into the pumpkin cream cheese mixture. Avoid over-mixing because we don’t want to deflate anything.
- Spread into crust: Smooth the filling into the crust. I like using a large or small offset spatula to make the job easier.
- Refrigerate: Instead of the oven, use the refrigerator to set this cheesecake. Cover and refrigerate the prepared cheesecake for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.
Pictured on the left below: the whipped cream. On the right below: the pumpkin cream cheese mixture.
Pictured on the left below: the whipped cream and pumpkin cream cheese mixture combined. On the right below: spread into our gingersnap cookie crust.
With No Baking, How Does This Cheesecake Hold Its Shape?
- Make sure you pack the crust in tightly.
- As I mention above, the most important ingredient is the whipped heavy cream. Fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin cheesecake filling gently so you donโt deflate all the air. The air creates a deliciously fluffy mousse-like consistency and, more importantly, helps the filling set in the refrigerator.
- For a clean and sturdy slices, refrigerate it for at least 8 hours, but 12+ hours is ideal. Not only does the time in the refrigerator solidify the filling, it also gives the flavors a chance to mix and mingle. Flavor is incredible the next day.
Skip these 3 steps and you’ll be eating pumpkin soup for dessert. Avoid that mess!
Smaller Serving Alternatives
- For 24 cupcake size no-bake pumpkin cheesecakes, use the crust and filling ingredients below and the instructions for my mini no-bake cheesecakes. Feel free to halve the recipe if you don’t need quite as many.
- You can use this recipe to make 6 8-ounce or 10 6-ounce cheesecake jars. Halve the crust recipe below because we don’t need as much crust for the jar dessert. Use the full recipe for the filling. Follow the instructions for my no-bake cheesecake jars. Top with salted caramel, chocolate ganache, heath bar toffee bits, more gingersnap cookie crumbs, or homemade whipped cream.
And if you love both pumpkin pie and cheesecake, you’ll want to try my pumpkin cheesecake pie next.
See Your No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes
So many of you have tried this recipe. Feel free to email or share your recipe photos on social media.
Print
No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours, 20 minutes
- Yield: serves 10-12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Whipping
- Cuisine: American
Description
This fluffy no-bake pumpkin cheesecake sits in a crunchy gingersnap crust. The most important steps are whipping the heavy cream into stiff peaks before folding into the filling and refrigerating the cheesecake long enough so it can set.
Ingredients
Gingersnap Cookie Crust
- 2 cups (200g) gingersnap cookie crumbs*
- 1/4 teaspoonย each: groundย gingerย and groundย cinnamon
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50g)ย granulated sugar or brown sugar (packed)
Cheesecake
- 1 cup (240ml) cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- 16 ounces (452g) full-fat brickย cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (226g)ย pumpkin puree*
- 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice*
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings
- Whipped Cream and/or Salted Caramel
Instructions
- Make the crust: Stir the gingersnap crust ingredients together. Pour into a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan and pack in very tightly. The tighter it’s packed, the less likely it will fall apart when cutting the cheesecake. I recommend using the bottom of a measuring cup to pack it into the bottom and up the sides. You can watch me do this in the video above. Freeze for 10-20 minutes as you prepare the filling.
- Make the filling: Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cold heavy cream into stiff peaks on medium-high speed, about 4 minutes. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until perfectly smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a silicone spatula as needed. Add the pumpkin, confectioners’ sugar, and brown sugar and beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed to help combine. Add the vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt and beat until combined, creamy, and smooth. Make sure there are no large lumps of cream cheese. If there are lumps, keep beating until smooth.
- Using your mixer on low speed or a silicone spatula, fold the whipped cream into the cheesecake filling until combined. This takes several turns of your silicone spatula. Combine slowly as you don’t want to deflate all the air in the whipped cream.
- Remove crust from the freezer and spread filling into crust. Use an offset spatula to smooth down the top.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to 2 days. For best results, at least 12 hours is best. I chill mine overnight. The longer refrigerated, the nicer the no-bake cheesecake will set up. I don’t recommend using the freezer to set this cheesecake filling.
- Use a knife to loosen the chilled cheesecake from the rim of the springform pan, then remove the rim. Using a clean sharp knife, cut into slices for serving. For neat slices, wipe the knife clean between each slice.
- Serve cheesecake with optional toppings. I used Ateco 849 piping tip for the whipped cream in the pictured cheesecake. Cover and store leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: This cheesecake can be made 1-2 days in advance. It can be refrigerated in step 5 for up to 2 days before serving. You can also make the crust 1-2 days ahead of time. Freeze for up to 1 hour in step 1, then cover tightly and refrigerate for 1-2 days before adding the filling. Another way to make this cheesecake ahead of time is to freeze it. After it sets in the refrigerator (step 6), wrap the whole pan (you can remove the sides if desired) in 1 layer of plastic wrap, then 1 layer of aluminum foil. No-bake cheesecake freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then slice and serve.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowls |ย 9-inch Springform Pan or 10-inch Springform Pan | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Silicone Spatula |ย Small Offset Spatula | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) |ย Ateco 849 Piping Tip
- Pan: To make slicing easy and neat, use aย 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan. If you don’t have one, a 9 inch deep dish pie dish (at least 2 inches deep) works. Chill the cheesecake for at least 12 hours to help guarantee the cheesecake slices neatly.
- Gingersnap Cookies: Store-bought gingersnap cookies are ideal as they are the most dry. The ONLY brand that Iโve had issues with is the Nabisco gingersnap cookies. Theyโre delicious on their own, but theyโre too moist for a gingersnap cookie crust. I love Stauffer’s brand. You need about 30. Alternatively, you can use the graham cracker crust from my regular no-bake cheesecake instead. Feel free to add or reduce the amount of cinnamon and ginger based on your taste preference.
- Pumpkin: I strongly recommend canned pumpkin, not fresh (homemade) pumpkin puree in this recipe. I like to use Libbyโs brand. Fresh pumpkin puree will prevent the cheesecake from properly setting. Do not use pumpkin pie filling. If you can’t find canned pumpkin, use 1 cup of sweet potato puree. Boil 2 medium sweet potatoes until soft, then peel, slice, and puree/mash them with a blender or mixer until smooth. Measure and use 1 cup. Make sure the puree is room temperature or cold before using.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice:ย You can find pumpkin pie spice in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice. If you donโt have either and want to use individual spices, use 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves. Increase cinnamon to 3/4 teaspoon.
- Can I Make Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes? Yes, use this crust and filling recipe and follow the instructions in my mini no-bake cheesecakes, which are made in a standard muffin pan.
Reader Comments and Reviews
Has anyone tried substituting violife vegan cream cheese and country crock dairy free heavy cream? I love Sallyโs recipes but recently had to go completely dairy free.
Really tasty and easy to make, but mine didn’t set up after 20 hours in the fridge. I followed the instructions exactly (full fat cream cheese, stiff peaked whipped cream, gently folding things together), but it didn’t work. I wound up freezing it and then thawing it right before serving. Still much easier than a baked cheesecake.
Made it with a pecan crust and added a salted caramel drizzle (made with the leftover cream in the pint).
I made this cheesecake many times, but the amount of whipped cream is sometimes off. It seems to be a heavy cream issue, not a recipe issue. I make my whipped cream first, and then transfer it to a bowl in the fridge to stay firm while I make the cream cheese pumpkin mix. Then I fold in just enough whipped cream to get that nice whipped look, and save the rest for topping.
I move the filled crust into the freezer for 15 minutes before transferring it to the fridge, and once set, pipe the extra cream on top.
If you use store bought whipped cream out of a tub, it falls flat and changes the consistency to a mousse, so donโt do that. I took one for the team for funsies and ate the mousse with graham crackers. Still a win.
I have made this before without any problems with the filling setting up. However, this time it turned into a mousse-type consistency after slicing. Any ideas about what went wrong? I hesitate to try again for Thanksgiving.
Hi KK, Did you use full-fat block style cream cheese? Using any other type (spreadable, whipped, etc.) will lead to a cheesecake that doesnโt set properly. Or did you make any other changes or use a different brand of ingredients than you have in the past?
I followed the directions exactly as written and had success in the past. Could leaving the cream cheese out too long have made a difference or not whipping the cream enough?
Hi KK, not whipping the cream enough could definitely lead to a too-soft filling.
I made this recipe using exact ingredients and watched video. However mine refused to set up! I refrigerated 2 days prior to serving and when I removed sides of pan it just drooped. It was more like mouse-nothing like picture. Tasted good but not pretty to serve. Will go back to baked cheesecakes
Can I make another flavour than pumpkin?
Hi Lise, here is our plain no-bake cheesecake recipe instead.
I made this cheesecake with blocks of cream cheese and it did not setup. It was running off the platter. There might be too much whipping cream in this cake. I Put in 1 cup of whipped whipping cream. I will never make this recipe again.
Hi Julie, sorry you had trouble with this cheesecake setting up. Did your mixture look like the video tutorial above?
This was great! It was an easy recipe to follow and tastes delicious! I used Simply Mills honey cinnamon sweet thins to make it gluten-free and they worked perfectly. We’re adding this to our fall dessert rotation. Thanks for creating and sharing so many wonderful recipes!