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Sweet potato pie. Pecan pie. Pumpkin pie. Apple pie. There’s bound to be at least one of these on your Thanksgiving table. And there’s a reason for that: they are all delicious and nostalgic and wonderful!
While I am a traditionalist when it comes to our tried and true Thanksgiving menu, I do like to get a little creative with the desserts.
Move aside plain pumpkin pie. There’s a new pumpkin dessert in town.
These pumpkin cheesecake bars have all of the key elements of a new family favorite: the buttery graham cracker crust, the two decadent and creamy layers of cheesecake filling in the center, the crumble topping, and the heavy-handed drizzle of caramel on top. They are 1) beautiful, 2) delicious and 3) easy as pie!
No, these are most definitely not weight watchers friendly. However, if you’re going to treat yourself to one delicious indulgence during the Thanksgiving holiday, make sure it is something worth those heavily hoarded Freestyle points. Here again, my pumpkin cheesecake bars fit the bill. And if you stick to turkey breast (zero points of WW!) and fill most of the rest of your plate with healthier vegetable sides (Pro Tip: mashed potatoes with a pound of butter is not a healthy vegetable side), and go for a brisk walk after dinner, you can afford to indulge in a yummy dessert.
Just for fun, I put together this little video with calming music. Ahh….
So here’s the recipe for the pumpkin pie alternative that will make your heart do a turkey trot.
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The Pumpkin Pie Alternative Vying for a Permanent Spot on your Annual Thanksgiving Menu
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
1.5 cups cinnamon graham cracker crumbs (I used a rolling pin to crush the crackers in a plastic bag)
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter melted
tiny sprinkle of salt
Cheesecake Filling
16 oz cream cheese at room temperature
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Crumble Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white flour
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
Caramel sauce to drizzle
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Use parchment paper to line an 8 x 8 baking pan, leaving a little overhang. Trust me on this. You need this step or the bars will stick to the pan.
In a bowl, mix the crust ingredients together until combined. Using your hands or a flat spatula, press it evenly into the bottom of the baking pan.
In a separate bowl or stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until completely smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined.
Remove 1.5 cups of this mixture and pour on top of the prepared crust. Add the pumpkin, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice to the remaining cheesecake mixture and stir until completely combined. Pour the pumpkin layer on top of the plain cheesecake layer.
In another bowl, stir together the brown sugar, white flour, quick cooking oats, and cinnamon. Add butter and vanilla and mix together until combined. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the pumpkin cheesecake layer.
Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until the cheesecake has set.
Allow to cool for about an hour at room temperature and then place in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours.
Cut into bars, place on fancy plate, drizzle with heavenly caramel sauce.
