Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe (video)
No Thanksgiving table is complete without a turkey, mashed potatoes, pies and a pumpkin cheesecake! If your kitchen is anything like mine before the holidays, the oven is in use constantly, not leaving much time for cheesecake baking!
My no-bake pumpkin cheesecake recipe with a gingersnap cookie crust, spiced whipped cream and caramel sauce is the best cheesecake I’ve ever had! Every bite is packed with so much incredible cheesecake, pumpkin and spice flavor, you’ll be coming back for seconds! If you still need a dessert for your Thanksgiving table, make this one! I guarantee, you’ll love it!
Watch My Pumpkin Cheesecake Video Tutorial!
Watch my YouTube video recipe for the step-by-step instructions and watch me make the cheesecake! Want to receive new recipe emails in your inbox? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!
Ingredients for Pumpkin Cheesecake
I love, love the texture of this no bake pumpkin cheesecake. It’s unbelievably velvety and silky smooth, super fluffy and light and not overwhelming. It’s so easy to enjoy and not too filling, either!
- The cake crust is made with a spicy gingersnap cookies and butter, which add so much great flavor!
- The no-bake cheesecake filling is made with cream cheese, whipped cream and pumpkin puree.
- You will need unflavored gelatin to help set the cheesecake batter. You can also use agar gelatin, a plant-based version.
- For serving the cheesecake, I added some caramel sauce, spiced whipped cream and more cookies!
How to Make a No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake with Ginger Snap Crust
This fall dessert is so easy to make! Here’s how to put it together!
- Start with the ginger snap cookie crust. If you can’t find gingersnaps, regular graham crackers will still work well. Just combine the cookies and melted butter in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. Press the crumbs firmly into place.
- Make the no-bake cheesecake batter! In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese for 3 to 4 minutes with a mixer until the cheese is creamy and smooth. Add the pumpkin puree, extracts and spices. Mix again for a few minutes until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix in the gelatin mixture! Make sure the gelatin is completely melted, otherwise the cheesecake won’t set! Add the gelatin into the batter while it’s hot.
- Next, make the whipped cream! Make sure to carefully fold the pumpkin mixture with the whipped cream to keep the filling light and fluffy. Transfer the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust.
- Allow the pumpkin cake to set overnight, or for at least 8 hours, for best results.
- Garnish the cake when you’re ready to serve!
Garnishing the Pumpkin Cake
Take this no-bake pumpkin cheesecake to a whole new level by adding some simple garnishes! I added some spiced whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- If you love whipped cream, make a double batch of the spiced cream because everyone will want to have some extra on the side!
- I also added some more of the ginger snap cookies I used in the crust to top off the cream.
- You’ll love my ‘Homemade Caramel Sauce’ recipe for this pumpkin cake! It’s so easy to make and adds so much flavor!
Cheesecake Bars Instructions
This recipe will also work great for cheesecake bars, which are great for feeding a crowd. Simply prepare the cheesecake in a 13×9-inch or larger rectangle brownie pan. Cut the sheet cake into bars and add a dollop of whipped cream onto each bar!
More Recipes to Try!
Enjoyed this easy no-bake pumpkin cheesecake recipe? Make sure to check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to love!
- Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake – double layered cheesecake with spiced whipped cream!
- Caramel Pumpkin Pecan Cake – the best pumpkin cake with salted caramel frosting!
- Apple Pie Caramel Cheesecake – caramel cake topped with apple pie filling!
- Pumpkin Spice Cake – all the spices of fall combined with pumpkin and cream cheese frosting!
- Pumpkin Tiramisu – this easy pumpkin spice tiramisu is so perfect for fall and Thanksgiving!
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Supplies & Tools for the Recipe
Need some supplies to make this recipe? You can get them here (Amazon affiliate links):
- 9-inch spring form pan – perfect for cheesecakes!
- I use a bulk roll of acetate to form the cake collar – just cut it to shape for each cake.
- My favorite set of jumbo cake decorating tips – perfect for garnishing the top.
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe (video)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups ginger snap cookie crumbs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened; 3 packages
- 15 oz can pure pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin
For topping:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 10 ginger snap cookies, for garnish
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce, for garnish
Instructions
Ginger Snap Cookie Crust:
- Prepare the ginger snap cookie crust first. Place about 20 small cookies into a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Pour in the melted butter and pulse again for a minute, until the crumbs are well coated. Transfer the crumbs into a 9-inch spring form pan. Using a large spoon, press the crumbs firmly into the bottom of the pan, creating an even crust.
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake:
- Next, prepare the pumpkin filling. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese for 3 to 4 minutes with a mixer until the cheese is creamy and smooth. Add the pumpkin puree, extracts and spices. Mix again for a few minutes until the mixture is smooth.
- In a small ramekin, combine the 2 tbsp water and 1 tbsp gelatin. Mix the two together, then microwave in 10 second intervals for 30 to 40 seconds, until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Pour the hot gelatin into the pumpkin mixture and mix it in with a mixer until it’s well combined.
- In a separate mixing bowl, prepare the whipped cream. Combine the heavy cream and confectioner’s sugar, then whisk for 3 to 4 minutes on med-high speed until stiff peaks form. Begin folding in the pumpkin and cream cheese mixture, folding it in gently but thoroughly. Once the two mixtures are well combined, transfer the filling into the spring form pan over the crust.
- Use a flat spatula to spread the filling evenly to the edges and flatten the top with an off-set spatula. If desired, line the sides of the pan with plastic or an acetate cake collar before adding the filling for easier cheesecake removal. Refrigerate the cheesecake for a minimum of 6 hours, or overnight.
Serving the Cake:
- Serve the cake with additional whipped cream. Combine the whipped cream, vanilla and sugar in a large mixing bowl and whisk on high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until stiff peaks form. You can also add 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon for a spiced version. Transfer the whipped cream into a pastry bag, if desired. I used Ateco tip #847 for my cake.
- Serve the cheesecake with whipped cream, caramel sauce and additional cookies, if desired. Cake can stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, but preferably should be kept refrigerated.
Does this cheesecake freeze well? Regardless, I will be making this for Thanksgiving. It looks and sounds amazing!
Hi! I haven’t tried freezing, although I’m sure it would freeze just fine with a thaw in the fridge
If I didn’t want pumpkin how could I make this just a normal cheesecake? Simply omitting the pumpkin seems like it would make it stiffer? Could I add sour cream in place? But in a smaller quantity as it’s a little runnier?
Hi! Yes, you can make this without the pumpkin. I recommend increasing the amount of cream cheese by adding one more 8 oz package and add about 1/2 cup sour cream. 🙂
I dont have any cake collar on hand. Any tips for having look smooth after taking out of the pan?
If you have a kitchen torch, that would work great! Just use the torch to heat up the sides of the pan before taking it out. You can also do this with very hot water. Just wrap a hot towel around the pan and allow the sides to warm up. The pan should slide right off 🙂
I’m planning on making this for Thanksgiving, would it hold up fine if I add the whipped cream with the toppings the day before serving?
Looks super delish
this cake looks so good i will be trying it out
I made this cheesecake, followed the directions and it did not set. It is tasty pudding.
I make unbaked cheesecakes a lot but decided to try this pumpkin recipe
It needs twice the amount of gelatin to St properly.
Hi Micki! I’m so sorry your cheesecake didn’t set properly! Make sure you dissolve the gelatin completely and add the gelatin when it’s still hot, that way it gets evenly distributed and doesn’t clump up.
This was DELICIOUS.
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Hi! How many GRAMS is 1 1/2 cups ginger snap cookie crumbs?
Hi! It’s approximately 150 grams of cookie crumbs. Enjoy!
I made this pumpkin cheese cake last year it was so delicious. This year I am making one for the whole family for Thanksgiving so I want to use a 10 inch spring form pan do I go up a 1/2 on all the ingredients?
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! It’s one of my favorites! Yes, I would increase the ingredients by 1/2. You can actually make that adjustment in the recipe card by increasing the servings and the recipe will update automatically.
What a wonderful feature of the ability to get ingredient amts if needed for more servings!!! Thanks!
It’s one of my favorite features! Really helps if you need to reduce or increase a recipe!
I have made so many of your cheesecakes that I know that a 5 star rating is warranted for this one.
I am making this for Thanksgiving in lieu of a pumpkin pie. This is the only “pie” that I am making from scratch because I want to enjoy the holiday and not wait for it to be over. All I need to get is the ginger snaps now I I will be ready to make it the day before.
Happy Holidays, Tatyana! And everyone else checking out this recipe. Make it! You won’t be sorry. 😉
Hi Donna! So good to hear from you! A great idea to make it place of a pumpkin pie. I would rather have this cheesecake any day! It’s always a huge hit when I bring it holiday gatherings.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!
I wanted to know if I can use pre made whipped cream and how much I would need.
Hi Tamar! I recommend using fresh cream for the recipe; you’ll need approximately 4 cups of premade whipped cream. You’ll need to omit the powdered sugar from the recipe, since the whipped cream will most likely have sugar.
I just finished making the batter and it was pretty stiff even after I put it in the crust. I used acetate to line the pan. The Cheesecake batter was just sweet enough after incorporating the whipped cream. I followed the recipe to a T and I pulsed 25 ginger snaps in the food processor which was just enough for a nice crust. The only thing that I am altering is the amount of whipped cream for the top. I just need enough for decoration and I am adding cinnamon to that. Another slam dunk, Tat! You’re my cheesecake Rockstar! \m/
Hi Donna! I’m so happy you loved this one, too! I personally don’t like my cakes too sweet, so I find the sweetness on this one perfect, too!
Thank you for taking the time to write a review! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and/or friends!