Description
Crunchy pretzel crust, creamy pumpkin cheesecake, salted caramel. Could it get better?
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pretzel Crust
- 1 C (95 g) Crushed Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 2 C (200 g) Crushed Salted Pretzels + more for topping
- 2 TBSP Brown Sugar
- 1/2 C (113g) Salted Butter, melted
For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- 32 oz (4 Blocks) Cream Cheese, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 C (255g) Granulated Sugar
- 1/3 C (45g) All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 TBSP Cinnamon
- 1 C (235g) Pumpkin Puree
- 3 Lg Eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
For the Salted Caramel
- 1 C Granulated Sugar
- 2 TBSP Light Corn Syrup
- 1/4 C Water
- 1/2 C Heavy Cream, at room temperature
- 2 TBSP Butter, at room temperature
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
Instructions
For the Pretzel Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- In a large bowl, stir together the crushed graham crackers, crushed pretzels, and brown sugar.
- Stir in the melted butter.
- Press up the sides and bottom of a springform pan using a small measuring cup.
- Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, then cool completely.
For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese by itself for 10 minutes, scraping down the bottom and sides of the pan every couple of minutes.
- Add the sugar and mix another 2 minutes.
- Add the flour, salt, and cinnamon, mix to combine.
- Add the pumpkin puree, mix to combine. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl again.
- Add the eggs, on at a time, mixing until combined after each egg. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
- Wrap the springform pan in a slow cooker liner to prevent water from leaking into the crust. You can also use foil, but it’s not as water tight as the slow cooker liners.
- Place the springform into a large roasting pan, then pour the cheesecake batter into the springform. Use a toothpick to pop any air bubbles.
- Pour water into the roasting pan so that it reaches about 2 inches up the springform pan.
- Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 325 and bake for an additional 45 minutes.
- The cheesecake is done when it’s set in the middle, but still jiggles a bit when you shake it.
- Turn the oven off and crack the door about 1/2 way open and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for about an hour. Then place it in the fridge to chill completely.
For the Salted Caramel
- In a medium saucepan, add the sugar, corn syrup, and water.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover for 3 minutes.
- Remove the lid and continue cooking until the caramel reaches a dark amber color, then remove from heat for 30 seconds.
- While stirring with a wooden spoon, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Continue to stir until fully combined and smooth.
- Stir in the butter and salt. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Pour cooled caramel over chilled cheesecake, top with extra pretzels, and serve.
Keywords: pumpkin cheesecake, caramel pumpkin cheesecake, pretzel cheesecake, pretzel crust