Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust

The perfect two bite Thanksgiving dessert recipe. Creamy spiced mini pumpkin cheesecakes baked on top of a gingersnap crust.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

Every year making pumpkin cheesecake feels like a requirement. You’d think it’d be pumpkin pie but no, for some reason I’ve been making my absolute favorite apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake for as long as I can remember. We don’t have a huge Thanksgiving celebration with extended and distant relatives, so two desserts is usually enough. I know that sounds completely insane. One can never have too many desserts, right? I always make sure I save enough room for dessert. A slice of apple pie is an absolute must for me. I’ll forego everything else if it means having a slice of pie. Okay that’s not entirely true. I want rolls and stuffing and mashed potatoes and turkey and corn.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

Truthfully, I can’t give up any of it. It’s not possible. I’m the one stuffed when it’s all over. I’m sure you know the feeling.

But back to these mini cheesecakes. I get in trouble when I make full size cheesecakes these days because I don’t eat them. *Gasp* Nope. Remember… I save room for pie. Every other member of my family will and does very happily enjoy the cheesecakes created though, but the little humans in our house are limited in their portions. So this time I opted for mini cheesecakes. Practically a two bite treat which would of course leave you plenty of room for insanely delicious pie. Smaller portions equal more room for variety. It’s worth a try anyway.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

So if you want a small version, make these. But if you prefer a full size pumpkin cheesecake, I’ve still got you covered. Both are crowd pleasers.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust

The perfect two bite Thanksgiving treat. Creamy spiced pumpkin cheesecakes baked on top of a gingersnap crust.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time33 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cheesecake, Pumpkin
Servings: 12

Ingredients

Crust

  • 20 gingersnap cookies
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar

Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 C light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 C pumpkin puree
  • 1 tbsp sour cream
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/8 tsp cloves
  • 1 large egg

Topping

  • Fresh whipped cream

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F°. Lightly grease mini cheesecake pan with baking spray.
  • In a food processor, process cookies into fine crumbs. Add granulated sugar and melted butter, combining well. Divide equally among cheesecake pan cavities. Use a small flat bottom item such as a shot glass to press down on cookie crumb mixture. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 325F°.
  • In a medium to large bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin, sour cream, salt, vanilla and spices. Mix well. Finally, add egg mixing only until completely combined. Do not over mix. Divide among cheesecake pan cavities. *Roughly 6 teaspoons or 2 tablespoons of filling per pan cavity. Using a small cookie scoop, add roughly three scoops per cavity. Do not overfill. There should be a 1/4" gap between cheesecake mixture and top of the pan. Tap pan on counter gently to force any air bubbles to the top.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes in a 325F° oven. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before transferring to the refrigerator to chill overnight.
  • Top off with optional fresh sweetened whipped cream prior to serving.

Notes

An original recipe from Baked by Rachel
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195 Responses to “Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust”

  1. #
    1
    Jessie — November 6, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    I follow you on Pinterest.

  2. #
    2
    Hannah C — November 6, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    I am thankful for a (warm) place to call home (because geeeesh is it getting cold out in Maine)! I’m a homeowner of 2 years this week!

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    3
    Hannah C — November 6, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    I follow Baked by Rachel on fb!

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    Hannah C — November 6, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    I liked Butterball on fb!

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    5
    Karen — November 7, 2012 at 1:18 am

    I am thankful that I get to spend the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays back at home with my family. I moved away in August and really miss them!

  6. #
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    Karen — November 7, 2012 at 1:18 am

    Follow you on Twitter

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    Karen — November 7, 2012 at 1:19 am

    Follow Butterball on Twitter

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    Karen — November 7, 2012 at 1:20 am

    Follow you on Pintrest and pinned the post

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    Karen — November 7, 2012 at 1:30 am

    Follow you by e-mail

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    libby — November 7, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    I am thankful that all my children and grandchildren are healthy and live close by

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    laura ari — November 7, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    I’m thankful we survive hurricane Sandy without any real damage when so many around us did not.

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    laura ari — November 7, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    I like you and butterball on fb!

  13. #
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    Joan — November 7, 2012 at 10:36 pm

    I am thankful for all of the blessings God has given me.

  14. #
    14
    barbara n — November 8, 2012 at 9:15 am

    I am thankful for my health – that I can walk 2 miles every morning

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    15
    barbara n — November 8, 2012 at 9:15 am

    I am an email subscriber to baked by rachel

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    Jenny G — November 8, 2012 at 9:45 am

    I am thankful I get to see my family for Thanksgiving and that our house wasn’t damaged during Sandy. Losing power and refrigerator contents are nothing compared to our neighbors on L.I. and the shore.

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    candace — November 8, 2012 at 11:13 am

    i’m thankful that despite all the difficulties that we have endured over the year that we can all still come together during the holidays and celebrate our love for each other. we’ve always had thanksgiving at my granny’s but they unfortunately lost their house, a house my grandfather built himself long before i came into the world… this will be the first year we aren’t going to be at my granny’s but i am still so very thankful that we have each other.

  18. #
    18
    candace — November 8, 2012 at 11:14 am

    i am a fan of baked by rachel on facebook

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    candace — November 8, 2012 at 11:14 am

    i am a fan of butterball on facebook

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    candace — November 8, 2012 at 11:15 am

    i follow by email

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    candace — November 8, 2012 at 11:15 am

    i follow your boards on pinterest and i pinned this post.

  22. #
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    Carmen — November 8, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    I am always thankful that I have a wonderful husband and a growing toddler. They are such a joy to me.

  23. #
    23
    Deb Bowden — November 9, 2012 at 7:49 am

    I am thankful that my family and friends are healthy. I’m blessed to have them in my life.

  24. #
    24
    Brandi — November 9, 2012 at 7:51 am

    I am super thankfull to have finally gotten hired by tsa! I am excited to be a part of our nations security! So far my biggest problem is that I am brain fried and pooped by the time I get home from training so I need to maybe do some make ahead meals this weekend…will be looking thru you old posts for ideas!

  25. #
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    Brandi — November 9, 2012 at 7:55 am

    I follow you on Facebook but I don’t tweet or know much at all about twitter….sorry.

  26. #
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    Brandi — November 9, 2012 at 7:56 am

    I pinned this on Pinterest

  27. #
    27
    Becky B. — November 9, 2012 at 8:07 am

    My mother always cooks the family Thanksgiving turkey so I know she would love this.

  28. #
    28
    Charlene — November 9, 2012 at 8:10 am

    I am thankful for my family and a place to call home.

  29. #
    29
    christopher sorel — November 9, 2012 at 8:25 am

    My kids and wife are healthy along with doing great in school

  30. #
    30
    christopher sorel — November 9, 2012 at 8:26 am

    fan of Baked by Rachel and Butterball on Facebook

  31. #
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    christopher sorel — November 9, 2012 at 8:26 am
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    christopher sorel — November 9, 2012 at 8:27 am

    Follow Baked by Rachel and Butterball on Twitter as @cjsorel

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    christopher sorel — November 9, 2012 at 8:28 am
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    christopher sorel — November 9, 2012 at 8:28 am

    email subscriber

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    christopher sorel — November 9, 2012 at 8:30 am

    follow you on pinterest and pin http://pinterest.com/pin/125608277078618564/

  36. #
    36
    Abby Johnson — November 9, 2012 at 8:56 am

    I am thankful to be living in a free country where I get to choose what I want to go to school for and I’m thankful that I have a job that allows me to be able to go back to school.

  37. #
    37
    Cassie — November 9, 2012 at 8:58 am

    My kids. They are the best thing that has ever happened to us.

  38. #
    38
    Cassie — November 9, 2012 at 8:58 am

    I am a fan of you and Butterball on FB

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    Cassie — November 9, 2012 at 8:59 am

    I follow you both on twitter

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    Cassie — November 9, 2012 at 9:00 am

    tweeted giveaway

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    Cassie — November 9, 2012 at 9:00 am

    I subscribe via rss feeds

  42. #
    42
    Marilyn D — November 9, 2012 at 10:13 am

    I’m thankful for my two wonderful children, their spouses, and my four grandchildren! They bring such joy to my life.

  43. #
    43
    Lindsay Gurney — November 9, 2012 at 11:48 am

    I am thankful for my amazing husband, my happy, healthy, and beautiful son, and my wonderful family who is always there for us and willing to help us when/if we need it.

  44. #
    44
    nicole @ I am a Honey Bee — November 9, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    I don’t want to win the turkey- I just love the dessert!

  45. #
    45
    Deb — November 9, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    I am thankful to have my family around me.

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