This pumpkin swirl cheesecake features a delicious pumpkin spice swirl, rich and creamy cheesecake filling, a deliciously spiced and crunchy gingersnap cookie crust, and is topped with fresh whipped cream and salted caramel sauce.
Fall has arrived and we’re all in a mad dash to bake all the fall things like jalapeño cheddar bread and apple cider donuts. My latest creation is pumpkin swirl cheesecake, a delicious alternative to pumpkin pie and pumpkin cake. Judging by this reader-favorite cheesecake recipe, I know most of you are CRAZY for cheesecake too.
How to Make Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
If you look at my classic cheesecake recipe, you’ll notice that today’s pumpkin cheesecake uses mostly all of the same ingredients. Besides the amounts of each, the difference is that we’ll divide the batter in half and add pumpkin puree + spices to create a hypnotizing pumpkin swirl. The result is pockets of luscious cheesecake paired with rich, creamy, perfectly spiced pumpkin cheesecake.
You can absolutely use homemade pumpkin pie spice here!
All this cheesecake sits on top of a crunchy gingersnap cookie crust. Add extra flavor to the crust with a bit of cinnamon and ginger. Here’s my tip: Not all store-bought gingersnap cookies are the same, so make sure you read my notes below about which cookies are best for a cookie crust.
How to swirl: My trick is to drop spoonfuls of alternating batter—plain and pumpkin—until the pan is filled, then use a toothpick or knife to swirl. It doesn’t need to be perfect and it certainly doesn’t need to be neat.
How to Make a Cheesecake Water Bath
A cheesecake water bath is nothing complicated. All you’re doing is placing the springform pan in a roasting pan, filling it with hot water, and baking. What’s the point of a water bath? I actually wrote an entire post about a cheesecake water bath years ago. Cheesecakes are egg-heavy desserts. Eggs need a moist and humid environment in the oven to (1) properly rise and (2) avoid drying out and burning. The steam from the hot water will lift the cheesecake up slowly and evenly, reducing the risk of cracks on the surface. Additionally, this slow and even baking method helps prevent the cheesecake from sinking back down as it cools. Taking a few extra minutes to prepare a water bath for your cheesecake is well worth it. I can’t say enough how valuable it is! Springform pans can leak if you’re baking the cheesecake in a water bath, but this particular pan is reliable. I haven’t had any leaking issues.
Want to skip all the water bath drama? Try my no-bake pumpkin cheesecake. It tastes like pumpkin mousse and is definitely one of my fall favorites.
Tips for the Perfect Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
- Make sure you’re using bricks of cream cheese, not cream cheese spread.
- All of the cheesecake batter ingredients must be at room temperature so the batter remains smooth and combines quickly, so as to not over-beat the eggs.
- Do not over-mix the cheesecake batter
- Bake cheesecake in a water bath or alternate discussed in the recipe notes below
- Leave cheesecake in the cooling oven for 1 hour
- Cool completely at room temperature before chilling
I did have a small crack in the upper right edge of my pumpkin cheesecake, but that’s nothing a thick layer of fresh whipped cream can’t hide! Add a little salted caramel and I’m pretty sure this pumpkin cheesecake is the definition of pumpkin dessert heaven. How lovely would this look on a dessert table with your Thanksgiving pies?
How to Freeze Cheesecake
- Cool the cheesecake on the counter before freezing. No need to chill it in the refrigerator
- Freeze on springform pan: Remove the outer rim from the springform pan. Wrap the cheesecake with the bottom of the pan with a few layers of plastic wrap, then a final layer of aluminum foil.
- Or freeze without springform pan: After the cheesecake has completely cooled, run a sharp knife underneath the crust to release it from the bottom of the pan. Carefully slide it onto a parchment paper lined piece of cardboard or use a plate. Wrap it all in a few layers of plastic wrap, then a final layer of aluminum foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Do not freeze cheesecake with any toppings. Prepare toppings like homemade whipped cream and salted caramel for serving cheesecake.
I would LOVE to know if you try the pumpkin cheesecake! If you want something smaller, I also have a recipe for mini pumpkin cheesecakes and pumpkin pie bars. You may also enjoy my pumpkin cream cheese Bundt cake, too!
Print
Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 9 hours, 45 minutes
- Yield: serves at least 12
- Category: Cheesecake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This pumpkin cheesecake features a delicious pumpkin spice swirl, rich and creamy cheesecake filling, a deliciously spiced and crunchy gingersnap cookie crust, and is topped with fresh whipped cream and salted caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Gingersnap Cookie Crust
- 1 and 1/2 cups (150g) gingersnap cookie crumbs*
- 1/4 teaspoon each: ground ginger and ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
Cheesecake
- 32 ounces (904g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (80g) full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (227g) pumpkin puree*
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice*
- topping suggestions: salted caramel and whipped cream
Instructions
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Make the crust: Using a food processor, pulse the gingersnap cookies into crumbs. Pour into a medium bowl and stir in ginger, cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter until combined. (You can also pulse it all together in the food processor.) Mixture will be sandy. Press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch or 10-inch springform pan. No need to grease the pan first. I use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack the crust down tightly. Pre-bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and place the hot pan on a large piece of aluminum foil. The foil will wrap around the pan for the water bath in step 4. Allow crust to slightly cool as you prepare the filling.
- Make the filling: Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract, then beat until fully combined. On medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until just blended. After the final egg is incorporated into the batter, stop mixing. To help prevent the cheesecake from deflating and cracking as it cools, avoid over-mixing the batter as best you can.
- Scoop out 2 cups of batter and place in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in the pumpkin, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice until combined. Begin adding spoonfuls of each batter, the plain and the pumpkin, on top of the crust. Alternate until all the batter is used and pan is filled. Using a toothpick or knife, swirl the batters together by dragging the toothpick top to bottom, then left to right.
- Prepare the simple water bath (see note): If you need a visual, watch me prepare a water bath using my cheesecake recipe. Boil a pot of water. You need 1 inch of water in your roasting pan for the water bath, so make sure you boil enough. I use an entire kettle of hot water. As the water is heating up, wrap the aluminum foil around the springform pan. Place the pan inside of a large roasting pan. Carefully pour the hot water inside of the pan and place in the oven. (Or you can place the roasting pan in the oven first, then pour the hot water in. Whichever is easier for you.)
- (Note: if you notice the cheesecake browning too quickly on top, tent it with aluminum foil halfway through baking.) Bake cheesecake for 55-70 minutes or until the center is almost set. When it’s done, the center of the cheesecake will slightly wobble if you gently shake the pan. Turn the oven off and open the oven door slightly. Let the cheesecake sit in the oven for 1 hour as it cools down. Remove cheesecake from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Use a knife to loosen the chilled cheesecake from the rim of the springform pan, then remove the rim. Add toppings, if desired. Using a clean sharp knife, cut into slices for serving. For neat slices, wipe the knife clean and dip into warm water between each slice.
- Cover and store leftover cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: This cheesecake can be made the day before. It has to chill for quite some time before serving. See step 5. Another way to make this cheesecake ahead of time is to freeze it. Cheesecake can be frozen up to 2 or 3 months. I find this tutorial for freezing cheesecakes helpful. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Special Tools: KitchenAid Stand Mixer | Glass Mixing Bowls | Springform Pan
- Gingersnap Cookies: Store-bought gingersnap cookies are ideal as they are the most dry. The ONLY brand that I’ve had issues with is the Nabisco gingersnap cookies. They’re delicious on their own, but they’re too moist for a gingersnap cookie crust. Alternatively, you can use a graham cracker crust instead. Feel free to add or reduce the amount of cinnamon and ginger based on your taste preference.
- Pumpkin: I recommend canned pumpkin, not fresh pumpkin puree in this recipe. I like to use Libby’s brand. Fresh will work in a pinch, but the cheesecake is tastier and more firm with canned. Do not use pumpkin pie filling.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: You can find pumpkin pie spice in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice. If you don’t have either and want to use individual spices, use 1/2 teaspoon each: ground allspice and ground ginger AND 1/4 teaspoon each: ground nutmeg and ground cloves. This is in addition to the 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon—you will still add that.
- Why is Everything at Room Temperature? Bring all cold ingredients to room temperature before beginning. Room temperature ingredients combine quickly and evenly, so you won’t risk over-mixing. Also, beating cold ingredients together will result in a chunky cheesecake batter, hardly the way you want to begin!
- Water Bath: Some readers have baked cheesecakes with a large pan of hot water on the rack beneath the baking cheesecake. In this manner, the cheesecake does not bake directly in a roasting pan of water. I have never tried this method, but many report back with great reviews! This is a wonderful alternative if you do not own a large roasting pan or are nervous about your springform pan leaking. Simply place a large baking pan filled with 1 inch of hot water on the bottom rack of the oven.
Keywords: Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
Hi, instead of a cheesecake can I make this into bars or squares? I have made this before & it was a big hit.
★★★★★
Hi Laura, This recipe should work well in a 9×13 pan. We’re unsure of the exact bake time.
My fourth time making this recipe. We’re obsessed with it! My boyfriend’s uncle said it’s so good it made him want to slap his mother for ever having him eat any other cheesecake.
Seriously delicious. Quite simple to make and if you take the time to read the entire recipe, you get a wealth of knowledge to help set you up for success. Sally’s recipes have been quite reliable and this is no exception! Delicious gingersnap crust and creamy cheesecake filling! A wonderful addition to any fall/winter gathering!
★★★★★
Love this recipe! I made the crust using biscoff cookies and it was amazing! Best Thanksgiving dessert!
★★★★★
Haven’t made this yet but wondered if you used convection bake for your cheesecakes and if so, do you adjust the bake temperature? Thanks in advance!
Hi Michelle, We always recommend conventional settings for baking (not convection/fan). The flow of air from convection heat can cause baked goods to rise and bake unevenly and it also pulls moisture out of the oven. If you do use convection/fan settings for baking, lower your temperature by 25 degrees F and keep in mind that things may still take less time to bake.
I’ve made this recipe twice, perfect each time with rave reviews! I’m thinking about making it crustless, do you think it will work?
★★★★★
Hi Morgan, You should be able to make this crustless. Perhaps add a round piece of parchment paper to the bottom of the pan so you can be sure that you will be able to remove it easily. Let us know how it turns out!
Can I use your Pie crust on top of the pumpkin marbled cheesecake to make a Sopapilla Cheesecake and follow the same baking instructions? Or would that require a different form of baking?
Hi Solo, We have never tried baking it that way so we can’t say for sure what the bake time would be. Let us know if you give it a try!
It was absolutely decadent and creamy! Best cheesecake I’ve had in a long time. The pumpkin wasn’t overpowering. I added a teaspoon of cloves to the pumpkin mix to pick it up a bit. And I used half ginger snaps and half cinnamon gram crackers.
★★★★★
Can the filing be made in a food processor? Thanks!
Shouldn’t be a problem.
This cheesecake won me 1st place at my works bake-off. The only change I made was doubling the crust so that it came all the way up the sides of my springform pan. I’m not a fan of ginger snaps, so I used half Graham cracker, half biscoff cookies. Wonderful recipe! It looked beautiful and did not crack at all!
★★★★★
Incredible!!
★★★★★
Are you mixing the pumpkin into the 2 cups of batter or directly in the mixing bowl?
Hi Mel! You add the pumpkin into the two cups of batter.
I want to try this recipe but live in England. The only pumpkin I can get is an off brand. Not sure if it’s purée or pumpkin filling. How can you tell the difference?
Hi Jeane, the pumpkin pie filling will be quite thin, sweet, and spiced. Does yours taste sweet and spiced? Pure pumpkin puree, which is what you want here, is thick and unsweetened.
I made the pumpkin swirl cheesecake for a contest at a pig roast last weekend. My friends begged me to bring them the leftovers from the cheesecake. I couldn’t there wasn’t a crumb left.Won first place out of 20 desserts.
Of course, there is another one in the oven right now for the friends.
I just love your recipes, I have been baking for 57 years, but I really enjoy the detail you provide with your recipes.
Just sent my daughter the info on the pumpkin snickerdoodles.
Your butter-shortening pie crust made me so happy. It is better the next day. Made a wonderful base for a raspberry chiffon pie.Yum
★★★★★
We’re so glad you’ve been enjoying our recipes, Martha. Thank you for your kind feedback!
Great recipe! My friend wanted a pumpkin cheesecake for her birthday. I like pumpkin, but I don’t like a solid pumpkin cheesecake. This was a perfect blend! Wonderful flavor. I had fun with the blending technique—alternating dollops. All my friends and family loved it!
★★★★★
Apologies if this has been asked but any suggestions for baking in a toaster oven? Would bake time need to be adjusted due to size of oven? I’ve made many of your recipes and all are amazing. Currently having oven issues and my toaster oven is the only option at the moment.
Hi Alicia, We have not tested this recipe in a toaster oven so we are unsure of how successful it would be. It would be very difficult to make the water bath in most size toaster ovens. You may wish to try this no bake pumpkin cheesecake instead.
Can I use this recipe for mini muffin tin cheesecakes?!
Hi Jess, absolutely. Follow the super mini cheesecake instructions in the recipe Notes section from these Mini Cheesecakes. Enjoy!
So excited to try this recipe! Is there a recipe you recommend for the caramel sauce?
Hi Amy! Yes, I recommend this salted caramel. Feel free to reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon for less salty/regular caramel.
Hi Sally! I was wondering, can this recipe be made more like your raspberry cheesecake bar recipe and if so what adjustments would be needed? Thanks 🙂
Hi Danielle, we include full cheesecake instructions in the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake bars post (See Notes section) — we’d recommend following that instead!
My family and I love this recipe. I don’t care for the salted caramel, so I just leave the salt out, but definitely give this recipe the full five stars.
★★★★★
Sally Sally Sally!! I’ve made this a zillion times now because it is THAT delicious and very requested by my family! I’m sure I’ve reviewed it in the past. I even make this in small mason jars and they’re lovely and a huge hit.
My question….what is the best way to gift cheesecakes without giving away the pan? Should I put a cake board on the bottom of the crust?
Thank you for all your hard work, Sally! You’re my GO TO girl for all things baking. ❤️Laura
★★★★★
Hi Laura! Great question. We wouldn’t recommend using a cardboard round in the oven. You could try lining your springform pan with parchment paper (like we do with cakes) and very carefully removing the cheesecake from the bottom of the pan with a wide spatula. A few other options for you: you could try making it like a cheesecake pie in a disposable pie dish or make mini versions in cupcake pans. Glad this one is a favorite for you!
Ahh that’s an idea! A pie….that would be easier than the parchment and sliding it out. Wow…ok thanks a bunch for the prompt reply! I’ll try it next week. ❤️
This is my third time making the pumpkin ginger snap cheesecake! It’s a huge hit with family especially st holidays!
Only changes I make are that I just incorporate the can of pumpkin into the better right after the sugar/ cheese . This isn’t as dramatic but it tastes great anyway. I use pumpkin pie spice.
The instructions on your web page has been so helpful! Thank you!!
★★★★★
I’ve made this a few times now and it is a huge favorite. One friend declared it was the best dessert she had ever had. I just made it again for her birthday. Your website is my first stop for everything dessert.
★★★★★
Made this today and it was fantastic. I wanted to try to make this purely pumpkin, though. I found that about a cup of filling was approximately 250g, and two cups of filling (500g) is what is called for for the pumpkin portion (227g puree + spices).
Is there any reason I couldn’t weigh the entirety of the filling, divide by 500, and then use that number as a multiple to find how much puree and spices to add to the whole thing? Would the increased puree increase bake time?
My only concern is that it might be too much filling to fit into a 9″ pan. What would you suggest I do with any excess, mini cheesecakes in a muffin pan? Do you have a recipe I could loosely follow if it came to that?
★★★★★
Hi Sam, We are so happy you enjoyed this recipe! We haven’t tested this exact recipe that way and it would take additional recipe testing for us to be confident of the exact ratios. We do have this No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake that you may enjoy. Or use this recipe for Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecakes and follow the recipe notes for a full size cheesecake. Let us know what you try!
Made this on Christmas Day and it was a big hit, absolutely delicious!
★★★★★
Sally….I am about a few months behind in writing my rating. If I could give this 10 stars, I would. My family now refuses to ever buy cheesecake because they know if I make it, it’s better than anything store bought or restaurant made, all because of you! I’ve made your classic and mini cheesecake, and for Thanksgiving I decided to try this recipe in lieu of the phil@delphi@ version….if you know what I mean 🙂 This was so creamy, the pumpkin flavor was amazing, the cheesecake looked professional! All I wish I had was a marble cake display, maybe Santa will bring one for me. I just had a small crack and that was because I should have given the cheesecake more cool time prior to removing, it had already been an hour but it could have used more time. But no worries, I was able to seal the crack with a small offset spatula dipped into hot water. Thank you!
★★★★★
Hi Bessie, we’re so thrilled to read your glowing recipe review. Thank you for making and trusting our cheesecake recipes – so glad they’ve been a hit for you 🙂
Great recipe! What’s the reason to not use pumpkin pie filling VS pumpkin puree with spices added?
★★★★★
Hi Matthew, Pumpkin pie filling is sweetened and has a different texture too. Best to stick with pumpkin puree. Enjoy!
I made this for Thanksgiving. It was the most amazing cheesecake ever. The consistency was perfect; firm on the outside, and creamy on the inside. My grandids even asked for seconds!
★★★★★
Made it with a graham cracker crust and it turned out perfect! Rave reviews from everyone who ate it!
★★★★★
This was one of the best cheesecakes I have ever made, hands down. It was so creamy! I had to bake a tad longer, but no cracks! Added chopped pecans & candied ginger to my crust.
★★★★★
my cheesecake is in the oven! It has bake for 70 minutes with a water bath on the rack underneath. The whole thing seems wobbly, not just a center circle of wobbly! What is Wrong? I follow the recipe exactly but read some other reviews that people had trouble with the cook time! Immediate help needed. It smells delicious!
Hi Lu Anne! Did you make any ingredient substitutions? Always use full fat cream cheese for cheesecake. If the cheesecake doesn’t seem done yet, then continue to bake until just wobbly in the center.
Hi! I’m currently baking this now, and same. It is still wobbly.
Also, I think I need to cut the recipe in half bc I only have a 9 inch pan and this recipe has it nearly bubbly over. Help!
I just had that problem with a different cheesecake recipe—not Sally’s—she always has the best instructions ❤️) and I am certain that I over eat the batter because my cream cheese wasn’t at room temp—it was slightly too cool so I could see lumps ) I had to bake it longer and it looks okay but a bit tan on top. Most people will eat it anyway! I am making this recipe too so at least I have one good cheesecake to bring to Grandma’s house! 🙂
I meant over-beat not over eat lol
Also having this problem! Very frustrating. My ingredients were out for three hours before mixing so I don’t think it’s the room temp question.
Hi! Made this last year and it was a hit for our small Covids-giving. I’m making it tomorrow to travel to NY from PA. Question, can I make the crust in the spring form tonight so it is ready to go for tomorrow? Bake or wait? Get it to room temp? Any advice is very much appreciated! Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Lauren! You could press the crust into the pan, let it sit covered at room temperature overnight, then continue with baking the crust as directed in step two. You could also refrigerate overnight and bring to room temperature before baking. Either way – enjoy!