Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake is smooth, and creamy, melt-in-mouth. It's the perfect time of year for this moist, decadent cheesecake. In just 4 easy steps, make this flawless, crack-free cheesecake for this holiday and impress your loved ones.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Fall reminds me of this velvety smooth, delectable pumpkin cheesecake without which our holidays are incomplete. This cheesecake is a show stopper, an absolute crowd-pleaser. Made with a classic graham cracker crust, fall spices, cheese, and the key ingredient pumpkin puree. It's heavenly!!

If you have never tried making cheesecake at home, do give this recipe a try. You will be surprised by how easy it is to make a cheesecake at home, which is much better than store-bought cheesecake. The best thing about homemade is that you have complete control over the ingredients, and jazz it up to your liking. With few tips, you can whip up an amazing cheesecake that is sure to please your loved ones.

Make this divine pumpkin cheesecake this holiday and wow your family and friends! If you try my recipe, I would love to hear from you. Please share your creations on Facebook, or Instagram by tagging "#livingsmartandhealthy" or "@livingsmartandhealthy". Happy Holidays!!

INGREDIENTS FOR PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

FOR THE CRUST

8 graham crackers

1 tablespoon sugar, optional

2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon

⅛ teaspoon ground ginger

pinch of salt

⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

FOR THE CHEESECAKE FILLING

1 pound cream cheese, room temperature

¾ cup pure pumpkin puree, packed

¼ cup sour cream, room temperature

½ cup sugar

¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, shifted

2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk, room temperature

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

FOR WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING (OPTIONAL)

1 cup heavy cream, chilled

1 tablespoon sugar, adjust to taste

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Pic Shown: Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Make this flawless, heavenly pumpkin cheesecake in just 4 easy steps. Enjoy this decadent pumpkin cheesecake this fall with your loved ones. I have used Instant Pot for cooking the cheesecake. The post includes directions for instant pot and oven.

I have used an 8-inch stainless steel push pan to prepare this cheesecake. You can find the cake pan here on Amazon.

TO PREPARE THE CRUST

You will need a Cake pan 

In a food processor, add the graham crackers, and pulse to form a coarse crumbs texture.

Add the sugar (optional), cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt, and pulse few times.

Pour in melted butter and pulse.

Transfer the mixture to the cake pan. Using a flat surface (back of a spatula or a glass), evenly press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.

Place the pan in the freezer. Now prepare the filling.

FOR THE CHEESECAKE FILLING

In a small bowl combine dry ingredients - flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

Wipe the bowl and the blade of the food processor, to remove any crumbs.

Add the cream cheese and blend on medium speed, till light and fluffy.

Add sugar (white and brown), and blend till smooth. Scrap the bowl down occasionally.

Beat in eggs and yolk, one at a time, till just incorporated.

Add pumpkin puree, and sour cream, and blend to combine.

Sprinkle flour and spices mixture in thirds, and pulse after each sprinkle. Add vanilla bean paste, and blend until mixture is a smooth consistency.

Pour the filling into the prepared pan. Spread the filling evenly, using a spatula or a spoon.

Tap the pan a few times, to remove any air bubbles. If you see any air bubbles on the surface of the filling, just burst them with a toothpick or a fork. This helps achieve a smooth surface cheesecake.

Pic Shown: Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

INSTANT POT PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

You will need INSTANT POT 

Line the prepared cake pan with a paper towel, and then cover it with a foil. Wrap the entire pan tightly with the foil. This helps prevent any access moisture in the cheesecake.

Pour 1 ½ cups of water into the inner pot. Place the cake pan on the trivet, and carefully lower it into the inner pot.

Close the lid, and the vent sealed. Turn ON PRESSURE COOK (high), for 40 minutes. Let pressure release naturally, around 20 minutes.

Carefully, lift the cake pan. Remove the foil and paper towel. If required, using a paper towel, dab the access moisture on top of the cheesecake. At this point, the center (around 1 inch) of the cheesecake will slightly be jiggly. It will continue to cook, as it cools.

Let the cheesecake come to room temperature, for about an hour. Cover with a clean paper towel and foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Run a knife around the edge of the cake. This helps release the cake easily from the cake pan. Slice the cheesecake and serve it. Enjoy pumpkin cheesecake plain or with a dollop of whipped cream.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE - OVEN METHOD

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Wrap the prepared cake pan (bottom) tightly with the foil. This helps prevent any access moisture into the cheesecake. Place the cake pan into a large roasting pan or a baking dish.

Transfer the roasting pan into a preheated oven. Carefully, pour hot water into the roasting pan, about an inch deep. Bake for about 55-60 minutes or until the cake is almost set. Turn OFF the oven. Let the cake sit in the oven for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Carefully, remove the cake pan and the foil. If required, using a paper towel, dab the access moisture on top of the cheesecake. At this point, the center (around 1 inch) of the cheesecake will slightly be jiggly. It will continue to cook, as it cools.

Let the cheesecake come to room temperature, for about an hour. Cover with a clean paper towel and foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Run a knife around the edge of the cake. This helps release the cake easily from the cake pan. Slice the cheesecake and serve it. Enjoy pumpkin cheesecake plain or with a dollop of whipped cream.

FOR WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING (OPTIONAL)

In the bowl, pour heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer, whisk the mixture on a medium speed for 2-3 minutes, or until it starts to turn frothy.

After 2-3 minutes the mixture will start to thicken. Increase the speed to medium-high, and whisk for additional 30 seconds to 1 minute to form stiff peaks. Check the consistency of the whipped cream, and hold the mixer upside down. The cream will stick to the whisk, if it falls back, it needs some more whisking. Whisk the cream for additional 15-30 seconds or until stiff peaks form.

Pic Shown: Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

TIPS FOR THE BEST PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

FOR THE CHEESECAKE FILLING

It is important to start with room temperature cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream. Leave it out for a couple of hours or until the cheese is soft. This helps achieve a smooth consistent batter.

Beat, cheese and sugar, until smooth.

Beat in eggs and yolk, one at a time. Make sure the eggs are well incorporated, before adding the next ingredients.

Do not overbeat the mixture. Mix the batter until all the ingredients are incorporated well and the batter is smooth, without any lumps. Scrap the bowl down occasionally.

The batter can be made using a hand mixer or food processor, both work fine.

ABOUT THE CRUST

Spread the crust mixture evenly, and with the help of a spatula or a glass, firmly press it down into the cake pan.

REMOVE THE AIR BUBBLES 

Pour the filling into the cake pan, and tap the pan a few times, to remove any air bubbles. If you see any air bubbles on the surface of the filling, just burst them with a toothpick or a fork. This helps achieve a smooth surface cheesecake.

INSTANT POT PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Line the prepared cake pan with a paper towel, and then cover it with aluminum foil. Wrap the entire pan tightly with the foil. This helps prevent any access moisture in the cheesecake.

Allow natural pressure release when removing the cheesecake from the Instant Pot. For oven cooking, turn off the oven, and let the cheesecake sit in the oven for about 45 minutes to an hour. This will allow the cheesecake to set, and also prevent any cracks in the cheesecake.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE - OVEN METHOD

Wrap the prepared cake pan (bottom) tightly with the foil. This helps prevent any access moisture into the cheesecake. And use the water bath technique to bake the cake. Place the cake pan into a large roasting pan or a baking dish. Pour hot water into the roasting pan, about an inch deep.

TEXTURE OF THE CHEESECAKE

Don't worry if the center (around 1 inch) of the cheesecake is slightly jiggly even after cooking. It will continue to cook as it cools down.

Let the cheesecake come to room temperature, for about an hour. Cover with a clean paper towel and foil, and refrigerate overnight to set.

Run a clean knife around the edge of the cake. This helps release the cake easily from the cake pan.

ABOUT THE WHIP CREAM

Use the whipped cream immediately or store it in an air-tight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. The longer the cream sits, it losses its fluffiness.

Pic Shown: Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SUBSTITUTE FOR GRAHAM CRACKERS

I have used traditional crust for this recipe using Graham Crackers. However, the crust can be made with a combination of crackers or biscuits, such as digestive biscuits, Biscoff cookies, buttery cookies, and gingersnaps.

You can also mix in some nuts such as walnuts, or pecans in the mixture to give a nice crunch.

WHAT OTHER SPICES CAN I USE

Ground cloves, all-spice, and green cardamom powder, all add a nice flavor to the cheesecake. You can use these spices in one or more combinations.

MY CHEESECAKE IS NOT SMOOTH

It is important to mix the cheesecake batter to a smooth consistency. Any large chunks of cream cheese will cause uneven cheesecake. Make sure to beat the mixture until it is smooth, lump-free for a nice smooth texture cheesecake. Beat the mixture on medium speed to avoid curdling of the cheese.

MY CHEESECAKE HAS CRACKS

Do not try to remove the cheesecake as soon as the cooking is done, Instant pot or oven. Let it cool for some time and than removing it to cool at room temperature.

For Instant Pot cooking, allow natural pressure release to prevent the cheesecake from cracking.

For oven cooking, allow 45 minutes to an hour, before removing the cake from the oven. 

HOW TO STORE CHEESECAKE

Cheesecake stays good for up to five days in the refrigerator. Store it in an air-tight container to prevent any moisture build-up.

Pumpkin cheesecake freezes beautifully. You can freeze it for up to three months. Store it in a freezer-safe container, thaw overnight, and enjoy.

Pic Shown: Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake

TRIED THIS RECIPE?

★ If you tried this recipe, I would love to hear your feedback. Please rate the recipe and/or leave a comment below.

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