Description
A healthier pumpkin cheesecake made with cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and pumpkin. Gluten-free friendly and perfect for the holidays, this lightened-up dessert is creamy, flavorful, and seasonal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 9 sheets, gluten-free options available)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat)
- 2/3 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup cane sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tablespoons flour (whole wheat white, all-purpose, or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch springform pan with butter. Set aside.
- Make crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press evenly into the bottom of the springform pan and flatten with the back of a measuring cup. Bake for 8 minutes and let cool. Wrap the edges and bottom of the pan tightly in foil. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (163°C).
- Prepare filling: Beat cream cheese with a mixer until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add sugar, Greek yogurt, pumpkin, and vanilla; beat until smooth. Add eggs one at a time on low-medium speed, then fold in flour and pumpkin pie spice using a spatula. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour filling onto pre-baked crust in foil-wrapped springform pan. Place pan in a roasting pan with 1 inch of hot water (water bath) and bake at 325°F for 45-55 minutes, or until the center jiggles slightly but is mostly set.
- Cool: Turn off oven, crack door, and allow cheesecake to cool in oven for 1 hour.
- Transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 8 hours before serving.
- Keep chilled until serving and enjoy!
Notes
- Graham crackers can be substituted with gluten-free options for a fully gluten-free cheesecake.
- Do not skip the water bath; it helps prevent cracks in the cheesecake.
- After cooling, the cheesecake can be topped with chocolate ganache if desired.
- Stop mixing as soon as the last egg is incorporated to avoid a dense texture.
- Prep Time: 5 hours
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: Approx. 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
