Decadent Pumpkin Toffee Swirl Cheesecake
Indulge in the ultimate fall dessert with this Decadent Pumpkin Toffee Swirl Cheesecake, a delightful fusion of creamy cheesecake, rich pumpkin flavors, and sweet, crunchy toffee bits. This scrumptious recipe has been inspired by culinary traditions across New England, Canada, and the French Mid Atlantic. The luscious cheesecake, nestled on a golden shortbread crust and topped with a velvety sour cream layer, will leave your guests swooning with every bite. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion, this cheesecake pairs beautifully with a drizzle of caramel sauce and will soon become a beloved favorite in your dessert repertoire.
N/A
Servings
275
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
shortbread cookies
1 3/4 cups (crushed)
butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
light cream cheese
3 (8 ounce) packages (softened)
brown sugar
1 1/4 cups (packed)
pumpkin puree
1 (15 ounce) can
half-and-half
2/3 cup (or 5 ounce can evaporated milk)
eggs
2 large
cornstarch
2 tablespoons
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon
crushed toffee pieces
1 cup (candy)
sour cream
1 cup (room temperature)
sugar
2-6 tablespoons
vanilla extract
1/2-1 teaspoon
caramel ice cream topping
to taste (for drizzling)
Instructions
1
Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, mix the crushed shortbread cookies with the melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan, ensuring an even layer. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until just set; do not allow to brown. Allow the crust to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
2
Cheesecake: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and packed brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the pumpkin puree, half-and-half (or evaporated milk), eggs, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Mix until fully incorporated and smooth. Pour this creamy mixture over the cooled crust in the springform pan.
3
Bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly jiggly. As soon as you remove it from the oven, sprinkle the crushed toffee pieces evenly over the top — this will create a delightful toffee layer as it melts slightly.
4
Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Spread this sour cream mixture evenly over the warm cheesecake. Return the cheesecake to the oven and bake for an additional 8 minutes. After baking, let the cheesecake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before refrigerating for several hours or overnight to set properly.
5
Serve: Once chilled, carefully remove the outer ring of the springform pan. Before serving, drizzle the cheesecake with sweet caramel ice cream topping for an extra layer of indulgence. Slice and enjoy the best of fall flavors!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
32g
Carbs
4g
Protein
15g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Pumpkin Toffee Swirl Cheesecake?
It is a rich fall dessert combining creamy cheesecake, pumpkin flavors, and sweet toffee bits on a shortbread crust.
What type of cookies are used for the cheesecake crust?
This recipe uses 1 3/4 cups of crushed shortbread cookies for the base.
How do I prepare the shortbread crust?
Mix crushed shortbread with melted butter, press into a 9-inch springform pan, and bake for 6-8 minutes at 350°F.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) for both the crust and the cheesecake.
What kind of cream cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for three 8-ounce packages of light cream cheese, softened to room temperature.
What sweetener is used in the cheesecake filling?
The filling uses 1 1/4 cups of packed brown sugar for a rich, deep flavor.
How much pumpkin puree is needed for the filling?
You will need one 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree.
Can I substitute half-and-half in the recipe?
Yes, you can use a 5-ounce can of evaporated milk as a substitute for the 2/3 cup of half-and-half.
How many eggs are included in the cheesecake mixture?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs.
Why is cornstarch added to the cheesecake filling?
Two tablespoons of cornstarch are added to help the cheesecake set and maintain its structure.
What spice provides the classic fall flavor in this recipe?
One teaspoon of ground cinnamon is used to season the pumpkin mixture.
How long should the main cheesecake bake?
The cheesecake should bake for 60 to 65 minutes until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
When do I add the crushed toffee pieces?
Sprinkle the crushed toffee pieces evenly over the top as soon as you remove the cheesecake from the oven after the initial baking period.
What is the purpose of adding toffee immediately after baking?
Adding them while the cake is hot allows the toffee to melt slightly and create a delightful layer.
What ingredients are in the final topping layer?
The topping is made from 1 cup of sour cream, 2-6 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/2-1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How long does the sour cream topping need to bake?
After spreading the sour cream mixture over the cake, bake it for an additional 8 minutes.
How should the cheesecake be cooled?
Let it cool completely in the springform pan on a wire rack before refrigerating.
How long should the cheesecake be refrigerated before serving?
It should be refrigerated for several hours or preferably overnight to set properly.
What is the recommended garnish before serving?
Drizzle the cheesecake with caramel ice cream topping for an extra layer of indulgence.
What size pan is recommended for this cheesecake?
A 9-inch springform pan is required for this recipe.
How many calories are in a serving of this cheesecake?
There are approximately 275 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 15 grams of fat.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 32 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does one serving provide?
One serving provides approximately 4 grams of protein.
How much sugar is in each slice?
There are 15 grams of sugar per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, its flavors make it perfect for holiday gatherings or special fall occasions.
What cultures inspired this cheesecake recipe?
The recipe is inspired by culinary traditions across New England, Canada, and the French Mid Atlantic.
Should the sour cream be at room temperature?
Yes, the recipe specifies using room temperature sour cream for the topping.
Total how many ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients used to make this decadent cheesecake.
How do I remove the cheesecake from the pan?
Once the cake is fully chilled, carefully remove the outer ring of the springform pan.