A show-stopping holiday dessert combining creamy cheesecake with a gooey pecan pie topping and a hint of cinnamon. Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings.
Author:Sarah Peterson
Prep Time:30 min
Cook Time:60 min
Total Time:7 hours 30 min
Yield:12 servings 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 cup pecan halves
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Pour in 1/2 cup melted butter and stir until combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then let cool.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating on low speed just until each egg is incorporated. Do not overmix.
Pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour.
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Then, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
While the cheesecake chills, prepare the pecan topping. In a medium bowl, combine pecan halves, brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, corn syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until the pecans are evenly coated.
Spread the pecan mixture evenly over the chilled cheesecake.
To serve, carefully run a thin knife around the edge of the pan before releasing the sides of the springform pan. Slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean cuts.
Notes
For a perfectly smooth cheesecake, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature.
Chilling the cheesecake overnight allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set properly.
Using a water bath during baking can help prevent cracking, but the foil method is also effective.
If you don’t have graham crackers, you can use digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers for the crust.