Cozy Pumpkin Cheese Pie with Gingersnap Crust Recipe

Cool autumn nights call for a pumpkin cheese pie that enhances traditional dessert expectations with its bold gingersnap crust.

Warm spices dance through creamy layers, creating a sensory experience that elevates comfort baking to an art form.

Crisp cookie crumbles form the foundation of this delectable treat, promising a textural contrast between smooth filling and crunchy base.

Seasonal ingredients merge in a harmonious blend that celebrates harvest flavors and culinary creativity.

Rich cream cheese softens the classic pumpkin profile, adding unexpected depth and velvety complexity to each sublime bite.

Home bakers will delight in crafting this sophisticated yet approachable dessert that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Sweet revelations await those willing to break from standard pie conventions.

Fun Mix-Ins for Next Time You Bake

• Maple Pecan Pumpkin Pie: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup and sprinkle chopped pecans on top for a nutty, rich flavor profile.
• Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Cheesecake: Add melted dark chocolate to half the filling and create beautiful marbled swirls before baking.
• Spiced Rum Pumpkin Pie: Incorporate a tablespoon of dark rum into the filling for an adult-friendly version with deeper, warming undertones.
• No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake: Skip the baking process by using gelatin to set the filling, creating a lighter, creamier dessert perfect for warmer months.

Why Pumpkin Cheese Pie Feels So Cozy

• Spice Up Your Dessert: The gingersnap crust delivers a bold, zesty kick that transforms an ordinary pumpkin pie into an extraordinary flavor adventure.
• Creamy Comfort Meets Texture Triumph: Blending cream cheese with pumpkin creates a luxuriously smooth filling that perfectly balances richness with a slight firmness, offering a delightful mouthfeel.
• Foolproof Festive Favorite: This recipe simplifies holiday baking with straightforward steps, making it accessible for both novice and experienced home cooks, while guaranteeing a showstopping dessert that impresses family and guests.
• Quick-and-Easy Crowd-Pleaser: From start to finish, this pie comes together in under an hour, providing a stress-free solution for seasonal gatherings or spontaneous sweet cravings.

What You’ll Need for That Creamy Filling

Crust:

• Gingersnap Cookies: Classic spicy cookies that provide a crunchy, flavorful base with warm ginger notes.
• Butter: Helps bind the cookie crumbs and creates a rich, golden crust with a smooth texture.

Filling Base:

• Pumpkin Puree: Smooth, sweet vegetable puree that gives the pie its classic autumn flavor and orange color.
• Cream Cheese: Creamy ingredient that adds richness and helps create a smooth, dense filling texture.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and helps balance the pumpkin's earthiness.
• Eggs: Essential binding agent that helps set the filling and create a silky consistency.

Filling Spices and Enhancers:

• Flour: Helps thicken the filling and provides stability to the pie's texture.
• Orange Zest: Bright citrus notes that complement the warm spices and add complexity.
• Ginger: Warm, spicy flavor that enhances the pumpkin and adds depth to the pie.
• Cinnamon: Classic warming spice that pairs perfectly with pumpkin and adds traditional holiday warmth.
• Allspice: Rich, complex spice that brings additional depth and warmth to the filling.

Topping:

• Heavy Cream: Rich, light topping that adds a cool, smooth contrast to the spiced pie.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps stabilize the whipped cream.

Making a Fall Dessert with a Spiced Crust

Step 1: Create Crumbly Crust Foundation

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350° F. Grab a 9-inch pie plate and give it a light spritz of non-stick spray.

Toss gingersnap cookies into a food processor and pulse until they transform into fine, sandy crumbs.

Transfer crumbs to a mixing bowl and drizzle in melted butter.

Blend ingredients until they stick together like a delicious sandy beach.

Press the mixture firmly into the pie plate, creating an even, compact layer.

Slide the crust into the oven for a quick 5-minute pre-bake, then set aside to cool.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Pumpkin Filling

• Pumpkin puree
• Softened cream cheese
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Flour
• Orange zest
• Ground ginger
• Cinnamon
• Allspice

Combine all ingredients in the food processor.

Blend until the mixture becomes silky smooth, scraping down sides to ensure perfect integration.

Transfer the luscious mixture to a saucepan.

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake Pie Perfection

Pour the thickened pumpkin-cream cheese filling into the pre-baked gingersnap crust.

Slide the pie into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.

Look for a gentle jiggle in the center- it should be set but still have a slight wobble.

If the center seems too liquidy, give it a few extra minutes of baking time.

Step 4: Cool and Chill

Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature.

Transfer to the refrigerator and let it chill thoroughly for a few hours.

Step 5: Create Cloudlike Whipped Cream

Grab your stand mixer and heavy cream.

Whip the cream until it starts to thicken.

Sprinkle in some sugar.

Continue beating until soft, pillowy peaks form.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Top the chilled pie with generous dollops of whipped cream.

Slice, serve, and savor every creamy, spiced bite!

Tips for a Silky Center and Crunchy Bottom

• Master the Crumb Crust: Crush gingersnap cookies into ultra-fine crumbs for a perfectly compact and flavorful base that holds together beautifully.
• Prevent Filling Lumps: Use softened cream cheese and blend ingredients thoroughly to ensure a silky-smooth filling without any unwanted texture.
• Control Cooking Temperature: Heat the pumpkin mixture gently and stir constantly to thicken without burning, creating a luxurious, creamy consistency.
• Check Baking Doneness: Watch for a slight jiggle in the center of the pie, which indicates perfect custard-like texture- overdoing it can lead to cracking.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Let the pie cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours to allow flavors to meld and set perfectly.

Storing This Pie Without Losing Texture

• Refrigeration: Carefully wrap the pie in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the whipped cream separate to maintain its texture.
• Freezing: Place the cooled pie in a freezer-safe container, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on low power. For best results, let the slice sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to preserve the creamy texture.

Perfect Pairings for Pumpkin Season

• Pair with Spiced Mulled Wine: A warm, fragrant mulled wine with cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest complements the pie's rich, spicy flavor profile perfectly.
• Match with Caramel Bourbon Latte: The smooth, creamy bourbon-infused coffee balances the pie's sweet and tangy notes while echoing its warm autumn spices.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A classic cold scoop provides a refreshing contrast to the pie's dense, creamy texture and enhances its warm gingersnap undertones.
• Enjoy with Spiced Chai Tea: The complex, aromatic chai spices mirror the pie's ginger and cinnamon elements, creating a harmonious and comforting dessert experience.

Pumpkin Cheese Pie with Gingersnap Crust Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy pumpkin cheese pie nestles into a spicy gingersnap crust, blending autumn’s warmth with rich, tangy cream cheese. Home bakers can savor this elegant dessert’s perfect balance of seasonal flavors and smooth, inviting texture.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1¼ cups (300 grams) pumpkin puree
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon allspice
• 2 tablespoons flour

Crust and Topping:

• 175 grams (1¾ cups) gingersnap cookies
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar

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Instructions

1. Set the oven temperature to 350°F and coat a 9-inch pie dish with cooking spray for effortless release.
2. Pulverize gingersnap cookies in a food processor until they transform into fine, sandy crumbs.
3. Mix the cookie crumbs with melted butter, ensuring a uniform consistency that will form a sturdy crust.
4. Press the buttery crumb mixture firmly into the prepared pie dish, creating an even layer across the bottom and sides.
5. Briefly bake the crust for 5 minutes to enhance its structural integrity, then remove and let cool.
6. Combine pumpkin puree, cream cheese, brown sugar, eggs, flour, orange zest, ginger, cinnamon, and allspice in the food processor.
7. Blend the ingredients until a silky, homogeneous mixture develops, periodically scraping down the processor’s sides.
8. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring continuously for 5-7 minutes until it slightly thickens.
9. Pour the warm, thickened pumpkin-cream cheese filling into the pre-baked gingersnap crust.
10. Slide the pie into the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, watching for a subtle jiggle in the center that indicates perfect doneness.
11. Remove the pie and allow it to cool completely at room temperature, which helps set the filling.
12. Chill the pie in the refrigerator to further firm the texture and intensify the flavors.
13. Whip heavy cream in a stand mixer until it begins to thicken, then gradually add sugar while continuing to beat.
14. Whip until stiff, glossy peaks form, creating a luxurious topping for the chilled pie.
15. Serve the pie with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream, either atop or alongside the dessert.

Notes

• Tackle this recipe when you have extra time for baking and chilling.
• Gingersnap crumbs provide a spicy, crisp foundation that elevates the traditional pumpkin pie experience.
• Cooking the filling briefly on the stovetop helps develop deeper flavors and ensures a silky, smooth texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg