Decadent Sweet Potato Pecan Cheesecake
Indulge in the luxurious flavors of fall with this Decadent Sweet Potato Pecan Cheesecake. This dessert combines the rich creaminess of traditional cheesecake with the earthy sweetness of oven-baked sweet potatoes, all perched atop a buttery graham cracker and pecan crust. The warm spices of cinnamon and ginger add a cozy touch, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday gatherings. This cheesecake is not just visually stunning; it's a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will have your guests asking for seconds. Remember, to achieve the ideal creaminess, only oven-bake your sweet potatoes—boiling them will leave you with a watery mixture and affect the final outcome of this heavenly dessert.
12
Servings
267
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cream Cheese
3 (8 ounce) packages (softened)
Sugar
1 cup (granulated)
Eggs
4 large (at room temperature)
Egg Yolks
3 (at room temperature)
Flour
3 tablespoons (all-purpose)
Cinnamon
2 teaspoons (ground)
Ginger
1 teaspoon (ground)
Whipping Cream
1 cup (heavy cream)
Sweet Potatoes
1 1/2 cups (oven-baked, peeled, and well mashed)
Graham Cracker Crumbs
2 cups (finely crushed)
Butter
1/2 cup (melted)
Pecans
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and chopped pecans to form the crust. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan to create an even layer.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar and continue mixing until well combined.
4
Incorporate the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix until the batter is smooth and creamy.
5
Add the whipping cream, flour, cinnamon, and ginger to the mixture, and blend until fully combined.
6
Finally, fold in the well-mashed sweet potatoes until the batter is visually uniform.
7
Pour the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust, smoothing out the top.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 275°F (135°C). Continue baking for an additional hour.
9
Once baked, turn off the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven for several hours. Alternatively, you can cool it on a wire rack.
10
After cooling, cover and refrigerate the cheesecake for 8-9 hours, or overnight, to allow it to set properly.
11
Serve chilled, topped with sweetened whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired.
Nutrition Information
17.5g
Fat
24.6g
Carbs
3.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Decadent Sweet Potato Pecan Cheesecake?
It is a luxurious fall dessert that combines creamy cheesecake with oven-baked sweet potatoes and a spiced pecan-graham cracker crust.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 267 calories.
Why should I oven-bake the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them?
Oven-baking is recommended because boiling the sweet potatoes can lead to a watery mixture, which negatively affects the creamy texture of the cheesecake.
What ingredients are needed for the crust?
The crust is made from 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup of melted butter, and 1/4 cup of finely chopped pecans.
What size springform pan should be used?
A 10-inch springform pan is required for this recipe.
How much cream cheese is required?
You will need 3 (8-ounce) packages of softened cream cheese.
How many eggs and egg yolks are used?
The recipe calls for 4 large eggs and 3 additional egg yolks.
What are the initial baking instructions?
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the cheesecake for the first 15 minutes at this temperature.
What is the secondary baking temperature and duration?
After the initial 15 minutes, reduce the temperature to 275 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for an additional hour.
How long should the cheesecake chill before serving?
The cheesecake should be refrigerated for 8 to 9 hours, or overnight, to allow it to set properly.
What spices are used in the batter?
The batter is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
How should the eggs be added to the mixture?
Incorporate the eggs and yolks one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed before adding the next to maintain a smooth batter.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 17.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a single serving?
There are 24.6 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per slice?
Each slice provides 3.8 grams of protein.
What type of cream is added to the batter?
The recipe uses 1 cup of heavy whipping cream.
How should the cheesecake be cooled?
After baking, turn off the oven and let it cool inside for several hours, or move it to a wire rack.
What are the suggested toppings?
The cheesecake can be served with sweetened whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
What is the preparation for the sweet potatoes?
They should be oven-baked, peeled, and well-mashed before being folded into the batter.
Is there any flour in the recipe?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour are blended into the cheesecake mixture.
What temperature should the eggs be?
The eggs and egg yolks should be at room temperature for the best results.
How much sugar is used in the filling?
The recipe uses 1 cup of granulated sugar.
Can I substitute the pecans?
While the recipe calls for pecans in the crust, they are a key part of the flavor profile, though they could be omitted for those with allergies.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 ingredients used in this recipe.
What tags are associated with this dessert?
Associated tags include cheesecake, sweet potato, pecan crust, holiday dessert, fall flavors, and rich and creamy.
How do you prepare the crust?
Combine crumbs, melted butter, and pecans, then press firmly into the bottom and sides of the springform pan.
Is there information available for fiber, sugar, or sodium?
No, fiber, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol values are not provided for this recipe.
Should the batter be uniform?
Yes, mix until the batter is smooth and the sweet potatoes are visually uniform throughout the mixture.
What makes this a holiday centerpiece?
Its visual appeal, blend of seasonal textures, and warm fall spices make it an ideal dessert for holiday gatherings.