Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Another pumpkin post! I have never been a fan of cheesecake (I know, I know…), so last year I began creating my own recipe that even I would enjoy. What turns me away from  cheesecake is the dense texture and overly cream cheesy flavor, so in this new recipe I incorporated ricotta and greek yogurt to sub for some of the cream cheese. I don’t think it’s really any healthier, but the texture is light and fluffy. These are so easy to make.

Simply plop one gingersnap cookie in the bottom of each lined muffin tin, and your crust is done. I don’t often recommend against using Trader Joe’s brand, but since I learned the hard way, I have to: their cookies are just too small. I used Target’s gingersnaps and they were perfect for this recipe.

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Just whip up the filling and pour into each cup. Bake, cool, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon. These individual cheesecakes are bursting with the spicy sweet flavors of fall. Enjoy!

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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust

Prep Time: 12 hours (includes overnight chill) Cook Time: 24 min.

Ingredients:

For the Cheesecakes:

24 gingersnap cookies

1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

8-oz. plain cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt

1/2 can pumpkin purée

2 eggs

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

For the Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ground cinnamon to sprinkle

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°. Using an electric mixer, whip the ricotta and cream cheese together until fluffy. Add the greek yogurt and pumpkin and continue to whip. Add the eggs and continue to whip. Finally, add the brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice and blend until well incorporated. Set aside.

Line two muffin tins with paper liners. Place one gingersnap cookie in each muffin liner and press to the bottom. Top the cookie with the cheesecake filling, almost all the way to the top. Bake for 22-24 minutes or until inside of the filling jiggles a little, but when touched the batter gently bounces off your finger. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before topping with whipped cream.

To make the whipped cream, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Use a piping back or decorating tool to top each cheesecake. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon as desired.

Chill overnight and enjoy the next day. Makes 24 individual cheesecakes.

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Comments (6)

  • Mom 10 years ago Reply

    These taste even better than they look! This may be my all-time favorite Newlywed Chefs recipe.

    The Newlywed Chefs 10 years ago Reply

    Thanks! They certainly are addicting. Glad you enjoyed them so much!

  • Gail 9 years ago Reply

    What size can of pumpkin is used?

    The Newlywed Chefs 9 years ago Reply

    Hey Gail, half of a 15-oz. can of pumpkin should be used. Great question.

  • texannie 9 years ago Reply

    does the whip cream stay stable and fluffy overnight? i am wondering how these would work for a bake sale? how far in advance could you back the cupcakes (without the whip cream?)
    thanks…they look yummy!!

    The Newlywed Chefs 9 years ago Reply

    Hi Annie! I made these for a staff meeting and actually served them the next day. They do stay stable and fluffy, but you might consider putting them in a glass baking dish, then covering with foil to help preserve freshness. Definitely refrigerate! Good luck with the bake sale, no matter what goodie you choose to prepare!

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