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pumpkin cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Almond Crunch and Amaretto Cream

The silky texture of pumpkin and cheesecake go together perfectly for this fall treat. The candied almond adds a crunchy texture to compliment the silky filling.

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs about 9 crackers
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Cheesecake

  • 3 packages cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 can or 15 ounces pureed roasted pumpkin
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Almond Crunch

  • 1 cup raw slivered almonds
  • 1 cup sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon egg white
  • Amaretto whipped cream:
  • 1 cup heavy whipped cream
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Amaretto

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch square cake pan and line with parchment.
  • In a food processor, mix together the graham crackers, brown sugar, salt and butter. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press it out in an even layer. Bake for about 12 minutes, until it starts to color. Let cool on a rack.
  • In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed with the paddle attachment for about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and mix for another 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar and mix for about 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides after each. Add the pumpkin, sour cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt. Mix for 30 seconds.
  • Pour the cheesecake mixture onto the cooled crust. Place the cheesecake in the oven on a cookie sheet that has about a 1/4-inch hot water in it. This will help the cheesecake bake evenly and have a silky texture. Turn the oven down to 325°F and bake for about an hour or until it is just set in the middle. Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

To make the almond crunch topping

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment.
  • In a bowl mix together the almonds, sugar, salt, zest, and egg white.
  • Spread the almond mixture onto the cookie sheet and bake for about 1o minutes. With a wooden spoon or spatula, stir the almonds, so the edges don't get too much color. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown. Let the crunch cool completely and then break into small pieces.

To serve the cheesecake

  • Using a sharp, thin bladed knife dipped in hot water, cut the cheesecake into 16 pieces. Whip the heavy cream with the confectioners' sugar and Amaretto until medium peaks. Top with almond crunch.