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No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

written by Ashley Fehr

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4.70 from 65 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings

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Published on October 15, 2020 / Last updated on October 15, 2020

This No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake is light, airy and so easy to make — the perfect pumpkin dessert for a fall supper or Thanksgiving! Includes step by step recipe video

no bake pumpkin cheesecake whole on white plate with whipped cream

So here we are, my birthday week, and I’ve made the hubs a pumpkin cheesecake.

Don’t get me wrong — I love me a good cheesecake (although, you should already know this because there’s been no shortage of cheesecake recipes around here).

I will take a vanilla cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake, s’mores cheesecake, lemon cheesecake, banana split cheesecake, or just about any other cheesecake (and if it’s this No Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake? No question).

But this one is all his.

I do the official taste test of all my recipes, yes, even the pumpkin recipes.

But after that? I’m pretty much done. I can say, “yes, that is an awesome recipe for someone who likes pumpkin” or “no, that is a terrible recipe even if someone likes pumpkin”.

And I will admit that I am ever so slowly coming around.

My first year of blogging, I maybe had one bite. Last year, it was maybe 2 or 3. And who knows? Maybe this year I will make it to half a piece! And the hubs will only get 11.5 pieces to himself 😉

whole no bake pumpkin cheesecake on white plate with one piece cut out

Do you think he will make me a birthday cake in return for my generosity? We will have to wait and see!

Tips for making the best No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake:

  • Cream cheese is a lot easier to beat smooth when it is at room temperature — be sure to take it out of the fridge at least a few hours before making!
  • Want to mix things up? Try using chocolate baking crumbs or gingersnap crumbs for the crust, or drizzling with caramel and toasted pecans.
  • Make sure your cream is heavy whipping cream, or at least 30% fat.
  • Your cream needs to be cold when it is whipped, and the bowl, beaters and other ingredients must not be warm.
  • It needs to chill a minimum 6 hours but overnight is even better — if you are ahead of the game and can make it a day before you want to serve it, that’s the best option.
no bake pumpkin cheesecake slice on white plate

Can I add gelatin to this No Bake Cheesecake recipe?

I prefer not to add unflavored gelatin to my no bake cheesecake recipes unless it’s absolutely necessary as it can lead to a “Jello-y” texture.

If you are concerned about the cheesecake setting up, or you are going to have it sitting at room temperature for some time and want some extra insurance, you can add some in, but I really don’t believe there is any reason to with the recipes updates made down below.

You can add half or a full package of unflavored gelatin (the more you add, the firmer and more “Jello-y” it will be). Simply sprinkle over cold water and let sit for 5 minutes. Then microwave in 10 second intervals, stirring each time, until dissolved. At this point you can mix it into your cheesecake filling.

no bake pumpkin cheesecake slice with bite missing

Recipe updates as of October 2020

I made a few updates to this recipe to make it even more foolproof for those who were having difficulty getting the cheesecake to set up.

The original version is slightly softer in texture, although not considerably, but I still want everyone to have that perfect No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake they’re looking for.

  • Whip the cream separately: you know I’m all about fewer dishes in the kitchen, so I am not going to use an extra bowl if it’s not needed. For me, with the original recipe, I didn’t feel that it was needed, and I have never had a problem with the cheesecake setting. But since some people did, I have opted to change the recipe so that the cream is whipped separately — this ensures it gets whipped properly and will hold up well.
  • Bake the crust: this is optional, but baking the crust does help it to firm up, and makes it easier to remove from the pan as well as slice and serve.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: I swapped the original cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice after some requests for more pumpkin spice flavor. You can use either, or a combination of spices you prefer.

Looking for this recipe? It’s the same one, just new and improved!

no bake pumpkin cheesecake with whipped cream on white plate whole
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No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

written by Ashley Fehr

4.70 from 65 votes
These No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake is so easy, smooth and silky — the perfect easy dessert for a fall supper or Thanksgiving! Includes step by step recipe video
whole no bake pumpkin cheesecake on white plate with one piece cut out
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings
Calories 456cal

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream 35%
  • 3 packages full fat cream cheese 8oz each, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • whipped cream for garnish if desired

Instructions

  • Line 9" springform pan with parchment paper (pinch it in between the sides and the bottom) and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (baking the crust is optional, but helps it stay together more firmly).
  • Combine graham crumbs and melted butter in a bowl. Press firmly into the bottom and 1" up the sides of the prepared pan.
  • Bake crust for 10 minutes or until it looks slightly dry. Remove and let cool to room temperature.
  • In a medium bowl, whip cold cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined, scraping down the sides as necessary.
  • Add the sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla and beat on medium-low with an electric mixer until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  • Use a spatula to gently fold in whipped cream until no white streaks remain.
  • Pour filling into pan, smooth the top, cover lightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 8 hours or overnight.
  • Garnish with whipped cream if desired and serve.

Notes

*I highly recommend tasting your filling before pouring into the crust — this way you can adjust and add more sugar or more spices if you prefer!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 456cal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 298mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  2. Lindsey says

    Would making this with 2 (8oz) cream cheeses work, I feel like 3 would make it so thick/ tall? Or is it not as dense as I’m thinking it would be bc of adding the pumpkin?

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      I use a large knife to gently lift under the crust and I pull the wax paper out. You have to go slow and be careful but the crust is firm enough that it works perfectly!

      Reply

  10. Kassidy says

    So I made this making a gluten free graham cracker crust and it was good however, the cheesecake filling never firmed up like a regular cheesecake filling. It was a little firmer than a mousse even after chilling for 7 hours. I have leftover filling that is still the same consistency even after 12 hours of chilling. I followed the recipe exactly so I’m not sure why it didn’t firm up.

    Reply

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Heavy cream is whipping cream — you will need to use a high-fat cream that will whip up when it’s mixed. You will not want to use previously whipped cream, or Cool Whip.

      Reply

      • Patty says

        I’ve made thiS according to the directions but it did not firm up. How can I use it to make something else?

      • Ashley Fehr says

        I would make sure you are using heavy whipping cream and that it’s cold — that is really the only reason that it would not firm up. You might want to use it as a trifle filling or make individual cheesecakes in mason jars instead.

      • Michelle Corning says

        Read down through. She didn’t use it in this one but often does in no bake cheesecakes. She does explain how to use it if you 2ant to incorporate it. I was wondering the same .

      • Michelle Corning says

        I made it with the gelatin and it set beautifully. I am glad you mentioned doing that. I did add extra cinnamon, some nutmeg and a bit more sugar to offset the spices but to bring out more “fall” taste. We loved it for thanksgiving.

      • Julie says

        Certainly not vegetarian if using gelatin which is minced up body parts of slaughtered animals

      • Stacy says

        if you’re worried about that julie, there’s vegan gelatin like agar-agar, pectin, konjac, and guar gum. so ya got options!

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