Prep Time:
30 minutes (plus 4 hours to chill)
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Total Time:
1 hour, 5 minutes (plus 4 hours to chill)
Yields:
24 cheesecakes
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with a Pretzel Pecan Crust
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes are a fun hand-held dessert and snack that you can bring to any gathering.
To start, preheat your oven to 350°F. In a food processor, combine the pretzels, pecans and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Blend until you achieve a fine mixture. Add the melted butter and blend again until everything is well combined.
Line two 12-cup muffin tins with liners. Divide the pretzel mixture evenly among the cups, using about 2 teaspoons for each. Press down to form a crust, then bake for 10 minutes.
While the crusts are baking, use an electric mixer to whip the cream cheese and remaining 3/4 cup of sugar for 5 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the canned pumpkin, eggs, pinch of salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and blend until everything is fully combined.
Evenly distribute the pumpkin filling among the muffin cups and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set. When the cupcakes are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool. Then, refrigerate them for at least 4 hours or overnight.
In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, maple syrup, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract and whip it all together. To finish, top the cheesecakes with whipped cream.
Bring these Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes to your next holiday party as a snack or dessert and watch everyone fall in love with them. Made with all your favorite fall spices and ingredients.
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- In a food processor, combine pretzels, pecans and 2 tablespoons sugar. Blend to a fine mixture. Add melted butter and blend until combined.
- Line 2 12-cup muffin tins with liners, divide pretzel mixture evenly among cups (about 2 teaspoons). Press down to form a crust and bake for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese and remaining ¾ cup sugar for 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and add pumpkin, eggs, salt, 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Blend until combined.
- Evenly distribute pumpkin filling among muffin cups and bake for 30-35 minutes, until filling is set.
- Remove from oven and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, maple syrup, remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla and remaining ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Whip until stiff peaks form.
- Pipe whipped cream onto each cake and serve.
Recipe Courtesy of Chef Linsey, ALDI Test Kitchen