These mini pumpkin cheesecakes have it all: a buttery Biscoff crust, silky filling bursting with pumpkin flavor, warm fall spices, and a cloud of whipped cream on top. They're creamy, cozy, make-ahead friendly, and baked in perfect bite-size portions for your Thanksgiving table.
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This recipe started with our most-loved mini cheesecake base, then we gave it a fall twist with pumpkin puree and our homemade pumpkin pie spice blend. The result is just as creamy and reliable, only cozier, and the pumpkin flavor is deliciously noticeable. Baked low and slow, no water bath, no cracks, just ultra-creamy minis.
When we first brought these mini pumpkin cheesecakes to a family gathering, they vanished before the starters hit the table! Bake them the night before, chill overnight, and you've got a stress-free dessert that looks far fancier than the effort it takes!
Jump to:
- Why you'll love these mini pumpkin cheesecakes
- Ingredients for mini pumpkin cheesecakes
- Substitutions and variations
- Watch the video recipe
- Step-by-step instructions
- How to get smooth, crack-free mini cheesecakes
- Troubleshooting
- Storage, freezing, and make-ahead guide
- Mini pumpkin cheesecakes FAQs
- More cozy cheesecake recipes to try
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why you'll love these mini pumpkin cheesecakes
No cracks, no water bath: Silky smooth tops every time, without the stress.
Bakery-style flavor: Bursting with pumpkin flavor, these mini pumpkin cheesecakes have a delicious Biscoff crust that makes them taste extra special.
Party-perfect: Easy to carry, serve, and share, no slicing needed.
Make-ahead friendly: Chill overnight and they're even better the next day!
If you love pumpkin and cheesecake, try our fudgy and amazing pumpkin cheesecake brownies!
Ingredients for mini pumpkin cheesecakes
You don't need much to make this mini pumpkin cheesecake recipe, just a handful of pantry staples and a few key ingredients that guarantee success.
Key ingredient notes:
Crust
- Speculoos/Biscoff cookie crumbs: give a caramelized, spiced base that's more flavorful than graham crackers
Filling
- Cream cheese: use full-fat for the creamiest texture
- Canned pumpkin puree: make sure it's pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling
- Cornstarch: the secret to cheesecakes that set silky, not dense!
- Pumpkin pie spice: or use a homemade pumpkin pie spice blend
Topping
- Heavy cream: whip it cold for the best volume
You'll find all the exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and variations
Sometimes you don't have the exact ingredients on hand. Here are a few easy swaps that still give great results:
No pumpkin pie spice? Mix 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of ground clove
Crust: Graham crackers or gingersnaps both work if you can't find Biscoff.
Caramel swirl: Add a spoonful of dulce de leche or caramel sauce before baking.
Nutty crunch: Top with candied pecans, walnuts, or crushed gingersnaps.
Watch the video recipe
Step-by-step instructions
Making mini pumpkin cheesecakes is quick and easy. Follow these steps for creamy, spiced desserts ready to chill and top!
Yield and pan: Makes 12 mini cheesecakes in a standard muffin pan with paper liners.
Crust
Crush Biscoff cookies to fine crumbs and mix with melted butter. Divide between lined muffin cups and press firmly. Chill while making the filling.
Filling
Beat cream cheese and sugar briefly until smooth, using the lowest speed. Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until blended. Mix in pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and cornstarch until combined.
Bake
Divide filling evenly into the muffin pan. Tap the pan to release bubbles. Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 15-18 minutes, on the lower two-thirds rack, until edges are set and centers jiggle slightly.
Chill
Cool completely at room temperature for 45-60 minutes, then refrigerate 4 hours or overnight for best texture.
Topping
Whip cold cream with powdered sugar to medium-stiff peaks. Pipe on top, then dust lightly with pumpkin spice.
How to get smooth, crack-free mini cheesecakes
- Use room temperature ingredients: Softened cream cheese and eggs blend smoothly and prevent lumps.
- Mix gently and briefly: Beat on the lowest speed just until combined to avoid adding excess air, which can cause cracks.
- Watch the jiggle: Bake until edges look set but the centers still wobble slightly. They'll finish setting as they cool.
- Chill completely: At least 4 hours, ideally overnight, for the best creamy bite.
- Bake at a low temperature: 320°F (160°C) mimics a water bath by baking slowly and evenly, giving you smooth tops without the cracks and hassle.
- Rack position: Bake on the lower two-thirds rack for gentler top heat and smoother tops.
- Convection: If using a fan-forced oven, reduce to 300°F/150°C and start checking at 13 minutes.
Tested note: We tested four batches at 300-325°F; 320°F gave the most even tops with the creamiest center after an overnight chill.
Troubleshooting
Baking cheesecakes can have minor issues that are easy to fix and won't affect their amazing taste. Here's how to troubleshoot.
- Cracks on top: Cheesecakes can crack if overbaked or cooled too quickly, or if the batter is overmixed. Bake until the edges are set and the center still jiggles, then let it cool completely at room temperature before chilling. Whipped cream can easily cover any cracks.
- Soggy crust: Ensure crumbs are packed tightly with a flat-bottom glass for a solid base; the butter ratio may be too high.
- Sunken centers: Underbaking or sudden cooling can cause collapse. Bake until edges are set and center has a slight wobble.
- Dry or rubbery texture: Overmixing or overbaking. Mix just until smooth and pull them out as soon as the centers are a little wobbly.
- Paper liners sticking: Cheesecakes were too warm when peeling. Chill them fully or freeze for 1-2 hours before peeling for easier removal. Use grease-proof liners.
Storage, freezing, and make-ahead guide
Store
- 3-4 days in an airtight container (best texture in 2 days)
Freezer
- Up to 3 months without topping; thaw overnight.
Make-ahead
- Chill overnight for the best flavor and texture, perfect for Thanksgiving preparations.
- Planning a bigger dessert? Make my baked cinnamon roll cheesecake a day ahead, too.
Mini pumpkin cheesecakes FAQs
Yes, in fact, they taste even better the next day! An overnight chill gives the filling time to set and the flavors to deepen.
Look for edges that are set and centers that still jiggle slightly. They'll firm up as they cool.
Cracks usually come from overmixing, baking too hot, or cooling too quickly. For smooth tops, mix gently, bake at a low temperature, and pull them out when the centers still have a slight jiggle.
For us, these mini pumpkin cheesecakes are everything we want in a fall dessert. Creamy, cozy, and completely make-ahead friendly!
These little, cute pumpkin cheesecake bites travel well for potlucks and family dinners, too. If you've been hunting for mini pumpkin cheesecakes recipes, this is the one to bookmark! For even more ideas, check out all our cheesecake recipes.
More cozy cheesecake recipes to try
Did you try these mini pumpkin cheesecakes?
We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a ★★★★★ rating and drop a comment below. Tell us how it went, what you enjoyed, or what you'd tweak. And if you share it on Instagram, don't forget to tag us, we'd love to see them!
Thank you! -Bea and Marco
📖 Recipe
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes (Easy Fall Recipe)
Video
Ingredients
Crust
- 1½ cup (150 g) speculoos or Biscoff cookie crumbs
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter
Filling
- 12 oz (340 g) full-fat cream cheese (1½ blocks) room temperature
- ⅔ cup (135 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (230 g) canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon (16 g) cornstarch
- 1½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of ground clove)
Topping
- 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream , chilled
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar , sifted
- extra cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 320°F (160°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
Crust
- In a bowl, mix crushed Biscoff cookies with melted butter until you get a wet sand mixture. Divide mixture evenly between liners (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Press down firmly with the back of a spoon or a small glass. Chill while making the filling.1½ cup speculoos or Biscoff cookie crumbs, ¼ cup unsalted butter
Filling
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on low speed until smooth, scraping the bowl as needed.12 oz full-fat cream cheese (1½ blocks), ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- Add pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and cornstarch. Mix just until blended.1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tablespoon cornstarch, 1½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low just until incorporated. Do not overmix.2 large eggs
Bake and chill
- Divide batter evenly among liners, tap on the counter to release air bubbles.
- Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 15-18 minutes, on lower two-thirds rack, until edges look set and centers jiggle slightly when you move the pan. Do not overbake.
- Remove pan from oven and let cheesecakes cool completely in the pan. Transfer to the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to set.
Topping
- Beat heavy cream and powdered sugar until medium peaks form. Pipe onto chilled cheesecakes. Dust lightly with pumpkin pie spice before serving!1 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoon powdered sugar, extra cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for dusting
Notes
- Pumpkin purée: Use plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. If using homemade purée, make sure it's thick and not watery; otherwise, the filling will be too loose.
- Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese that comes in blocks, not the spreadable kind in tubs.
- Room temperature ingredients: Cream cheese, eggs, and pumpkin should be at room temperature so they blend smoothly and prevent lumps.
- Don't overmix: Once you add the eggs, mix only until combined. Overmixing adds air, which can cause cracks.
- Low and slow: Baking at 320°F (160°C) keeps the cheesecakes creamy and helps prevent cracks.
- Doneness cue: The centers should jiggle slightly when you tap the pan like Jell-O, not look liquid. They'll firm up as they cool.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts provided are an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Bea & Marco says
We tested these little guys more times than we’d like to admit 🤭, but it was worth it. Silky pumpkin filling combined with Biscoff crust is our new fall favorite. They disappeared so fast in our house! Let us know when you try them!