Pumpkin Cheesecake With Bourbon–Sour Cream Topping

October 16, 2018

4.7

(397)

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Sour Cream Topping on a platter with a slice cut out and drinks on the side

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson

The caramelized flavor of bourbon and the tang of sour cream add balance to the rich, spiced filling of this cheesecake. Chopped pecans add a nutty dimension to the graham cracker crust.

Recipe information

Yield
12–16 servings

Ingredients

For the crust:

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

For the filling:

1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, cut into bits and softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon bourbon liqueur or bourbon if desired

For the topping:

2 cups sour cream

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon bourbon liqueur or bourbon, or to taste

16 pecan halves for garnish

Preparation

Make the crust:
Step 1
In a bowl combine the cracker crumbs, the pecans, and the sugars, stir in the butter, and press the mixture into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the side of a buttered 9-inch springform pan. Chill the crust for 1 hour.
Make the filling:
Step 2
In a bowl whisk together the pumpkin, the egg, the cinnamon, the nutmeg, the ginger, the salt, and the brown sugar. In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together the cream cheese and the granulated sugar, beat in the cream, the cornstarch, the vanilla, the bourbon liqueur, and the pumpkin mixture, and beat the filling until it is smooth.
Step 3
Pour the filling into the crust, bake the cheesecake in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the center is just set, and let it cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes.
Make the topping:
Step 4
In a bowl whisk together the sour cream, the sugar, and the bourbon liqueur.
Step 5
Spread the sour cream mixture over the top of the cheesecake and bake the cheesecake for 5 minutes more. Let the cheesecake cool in the pan on a rack and chill it, covered, overnight. Remove the side of the pan and garnish the top of the cheesecake with the pecans.

TagsCheesecake Cake Dessert Bourbon Whiskey Alcohol Beverages Pumpkin Squash Vegetable Pecan Nut Graham Cracker Cream Cheese Cheese Dairy Sour Cream Baking Electric Mixer Thanksgiving Fall Gourmet

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Reviews (397)

I've made this cake 4 or 5X now and it amazes every time. Not too sweet, just light, fluffy, pure delicious.
- Whittney Lindsay
- Lakewood, CO
- 11/22/2023
No one at our dinner liked this, not even the cheesecake lovers. It takes much longer to bake than the recipe calls for, and we found it bland. Further, leftovers don't keep well. The day after it had started to separate and weep. Too much trouble for a not-worth-it recipe.
- Anonymous
- Tucson, AZ
- 10/28/2023
I make this cheesecake every Thanksgiving and Christmas since the recipe first came out. I still have the Gourmet magazine. I follow the recipe to tee. I made copies of it for my daughter and a close friend.
- Anonymous
- Middletown NJ
- 8/26/2023
I have been making this cheesecake since the recipe first came out in Gourmet and still have the original from the magazine. Although a bit of work, it is always a crowd pleaser and I highly recommend it!
- Josie Boswell
- Chicago
- 11/19/2022
I used Trader Joe’s triple ginger ginger snaps for the crust and baked in an 8” springform with a small 2 c Bain marie on a lower oven rack. An Elegant, tall and mousse-like presentation that received raves
- Anonymous
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 11/10/2022
I went to a lot of trouble making this... it didn't set in the suggested frame time for a 9 in pan. I agree with westsidecook, if i make it again, i would definitely have to cook it longer...2x as long!!!!
- pshockey
- n yarmouth, me
- 12/26/2021
I’ve been making this for Thanksgiving for close to 20 years. Everyone loves it. It’s my oldest daughter’s favorite thing to eat. If there’s leftovers she has some for breakfast the next morning. I’ve passed on the recipe to her and now she makes it every year for the family.
- allmodcons
- Oakland CA
- 11/25/2021