Spiderweb Pumpkin Cheesecake (Printable Version)

Rich pumpkin cheesecake with warm spices, chocolate spiderweb topping, perfect for fall celebrations.

# Components:

→ Crust

01 - 2 cups (about 7 ounces) graham crackers or digestive biscuits, crushed
02 - 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

→ Cheesecake Filling

04 - 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 cup pumpkin purée
07 - 3 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup sour cream
09 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
11 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Spiderweb Topping

16 - 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
17 - 1 teaspoon coconut oil or unsalted butter

# Preparation steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the base with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, combine crushed biscuits, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until evenly blended, then press into the base of the pan. Bake 10 minutes; allow to cool slightly.
03 - In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until completely smooth. Add pumpkin purée and blend thoroughly. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined.
04 - Mix in sour cream, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Blend until mixture is silky, scraping the bowl sides as needed.
05 - Pour filling over crust, smoothing the top. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until edges are set and center is slightly wobbly. Turn off oven, crack door, and cool inside for 1 hour.
06 - Remove cheesecake from oven and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best texture.
07 - Melt chocolate with coconut oil or butter in microwave or double boiler until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag, snip a tiny corner, and pipe 3–4 concentric circles on cheesecake. Drag a toothpick outward from the center to form a spiderweb, cleaning toothpick between each drag.
08 - Slice and serve well chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses everyday ingredients you can find at most grocery stores
  • Rich creamy texture and perfect pumpkin spice flavor
  • Impressive spiderweb finish without special equipment
  • Great makeahead dessert for busy hosts
02 -
  • Vegetarian friendly
  • Packed with seasonal flavor
  • Great for prepping ahead or freezing
  • Every bite is creamy and fragrant
03 -
  • Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps
  • Always clean the toothpick between web drags for crisp lines
  • Let cheesecake cool slowly in the oven with the door cracked to prevent cracks

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