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Creamy Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Bars

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Rich, dense, and silky pumpkin spice cheesecake bars with a buttery graham cracker crust. The secret to their perfect texture is draining the pumpkin puree to remove excess moisture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 16 ounces (450g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup pure pumpkin puree, drained
  • 1.5 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease lightly.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until it resembles wet sand.
  3. Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until toasted. Remove and let cool.
  4. While the crust bakes, place the pumpkin puree in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and let drain for 15-20 minutes to remove excess liquid.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk softened cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth (2-3 minutes).
  6. Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition to avoid incorporating too much air.
  7. Stir in the drained pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until just combined.
  8. Pour the filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes until edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle.
  10. Turn off the oven and crack the door open. Let the bars sit in the oven for 1 hour to cool gradually.
  11. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
  12. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before slicing and serving.

Notes

Draining the pumpkin puree is crucial to prevent a soggy texture. Ensure ingredients are at room temperature to avoid lumps. Cool the bars slowly in the turned-off oven to prevent cracking. For clean cuts, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe between slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin cheesecake, fall dessert, pumpkin spice bars, easy cheesecake recipe, autumn baking, graham cracker crust

Find it online: https://zestynora.com/creamy-pumpkin-spice-cheesecake-bars-10-easy-fall-dessert/