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Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake

This recipe for Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake is simply bursting with fall flavors, from its sweet cookie crust & creamy filing to its tart festive topping!

Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #dessert #pie #cranberries #Thanksgiving

I’ve been promising my daughter Gracie that I would follow through on her request and make her a cheesecake. You see, she asked if I would make her one for her birthday back in May, but we were very busy with the whole moving into a new house thing and Grace’s birthday happened to fall smack-dab in the middle of it.

So you see, I owed her big time.

Back when I went through all the recipes that I wanted to make during pumpkin season, I knew I wanted to surprise Gracie with this Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake. I knew she would love it as much as I loved the idea of it simply because she shares my affinity for #pumpkinflavoredeverything!

Is she a keeper or what?

Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #dessert #pie #cranberries #Thanksgiving

Since cranberry season is on its way in and pumpkin is on its way out, this cheesecake seems like a perfect way to meld these two holiday favorites into one festive dessert. And no joke, this cheesecake is just oozing flavor from the bottom to the top, starting with the crust.

The crust is made entirely of these delightful cookies called Amaretti cookies. I believe you can find them at Walmart, but they are also on Amazon, and I bought mine at World Market. Trust me, these cookies help make this cheesecake what it is.

Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #dessert #pie #cranberries #Thanksgiving

Since this recipe is made with ricotta cheese versus cream cheese, it’s a bit softer, which is why is it requires so much chilling time. But that’s kind of perfect if you make this for Thanksgiving – just make it a few days in advance and then you are good to go!

However…it was killing the kids to wait a whole day before they could eat it, especially Christian. He kept running around saying, “Eat punka cheeeeeesecake!” The wait was definitely worth it.

Let’s just say there were a ton of mmm’s while we sat around the table and ate it.

Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #dessert #pie #cranberries #Thanksgiving

I don’t really know how many people stray away from pies on Thanksgiving. But if you’re feeling daring enough, I highly suggest, urge, beg, and plead with you to make this Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake. It will blow your friends,’ families,’ and tastebuds’ minds!

Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake

Yield: 8-12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours

This recipe for Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake is simply bursting with fall flavors, from its sweet cookie crust & creamy filing to its tart festive topping!

Ingredients

Crust

Filling

  • 1 pound whole-milk ricotta cheese (I actually used part-skim)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Topping

  • 1 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Wrap the outside (bottom and side) of a 9-inch springform pan with foil. In a food processor, pulse the cookies until a fine crumb appears. Add the melted butter; pulse to combine. Press into the bottom and about 1/4 inch up the side of the pan. Brush the side of the pan lightly with melted butter. Bake until golden and set, about 12-15 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
  2. To make the filling, combine the ricotta with the sugar in a stand mixer and beat until smooth. Add the pumpkin, eggs, mascarpone, vanilla, pie spice, and salt. Beat until combined, not overmixing. Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Bake until set around the edges but the center still jiggles a little bit, about 1 1/2 hours - 1 hour and 45 min. Transfer to a rack and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until cold and set, at least 8 hours or overnight.
  3. To make the topping, chop one cup of cranberries (careful, they are wiggly little suckers) and put in a small saucepan with the sugar, lemon juice, salt, and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat 7-10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 3/4 cup whole cranberries; cook for 2 more minutes. Let cool.
  4. Allow the cheesecake to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then run a knife around the edge before removing the pan. If the cranberry topping seems stiff, add a splash of water to it and stir before spreading over the cheesecake.

Notes

If you have a Trader Joes near you, look for the mascarpone cheese and whole-milk ricotta cheese. It will be cheaper there than at a regular grocery store. Baking time does not include chilling time.

Original recipe from Food Network Magazine

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 580Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 344mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 3gSugar: 53gProtein: 11g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

Pumpkin Cranberry Cheesecake | Catz in the Kitchen | catzinthekitchen.com | #dessert #pie #cranberries #Thanksgiving

Lynn | The Road to Honey

Sunday 22nd of November 2015

Gracie is one lucky little lady to have had this divine cheesecake made just for her. It looks so creamy and dreamy. Completely appropriate for fall holidays (or any other day you are craving cheesecake. . .or pumpkin. . .or something tart) and that Amaretti crust. . .can we talk about how decadent this must be?

Chelsia Rief

Sunday 22nd of November 2015

Teehee, I think she felt lucky. She thanked me a gazillion times, lol! This is perfect for the holidays and that crust...it might have just been my favorite part. :) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Lynn!

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