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The simplest Burnt Basque Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake. Inspired by the Basque region of Spain, this untraditional, no crust, super easy cheesecake, has only incredibly creamy pumpkin spice filling. Its deep brown top has cracks all around for an old-world look. Top each slice with a dollop of cream, and homemade ginger cinnamon cookies for that extra special holiday touch. This creamy, rich, pumpkin spice flavored dessert is really not like any other cheesecake you’ve had before. Bonus? This is the easiest cheesecake to make and (almost) impossible to mess up.
This post is sponsored by Nestlé Carnation Milk.
It’s that time of year to talk all things Thanksgiving and all things pie. When it comes to the Thanksgiving meal I really love to keep things mostly traditional. I don’t want anyone missing out on the classic, turkey, stuffing, mashed potato, and gravy experience. But, when it comes to desserts…I love creating a twist on the classics, and really playing with recipes. I also love having multiple desserts on the table…because it’s Thanksgiving and the more food the merrier, right?
Enter this rather unique cheesecake that I am way too excited to share with you guys today! I’ve had this one ready for weeks now, and have simply been waiting for November to arrive to share. This cheesecake is one of the best.
Some background on the Basque-style cheesecake.
It originated in French Basque Country. Traditionally this a crustless cheesecake made with a large amount cream cheese and eggs. The biggest difference is that with a Basque-style, you will bake the cheesecake at a very high temperature in an effort to create a deep dark brown “burnt” exterior. This method of baking creates a crackly crust on the outside, while still maintaining a super creamy, almost custard-like interior.
What I love most about this style of cheesecake is that it’s truly one of the easiest desserts to bake, and almost impossible to mess up. Meaning, it’s OK for this to look burnt, and it’s OK that the top has cracks throughout. The more imperfect looking the better.
It’s always so nice to have stress free, easy recipes during the holidays. No need to spend hours baking one dessert.
The details.
Classic Basque cheesecake is not heavily flavored. But with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to be sure to incorporate a little bit of the classic pumpkin pie element into this recipe. So today’s Basque Cheesecake is the pumpkin spice version. And yes, it’s my personal favorite.
A classic style Basque cheesecake calls for a few main ingredients, cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and heavy cream. I’m adding in plenty of canned pumpkin pureè, warming autumn spices, and using a new go-to cooking and baking milk of mine, Carnation Almond Cooking Milk. If you’re unfamiliar with Carnation Almond Cooking Milk, it’s a non-dairy milk that has a super-rich taste and creamy texture due to lower amounts of water used in their milk. It’s gluten-free and USDA organic. I really love using this milk when hosting guests, as many have sensitives to dairy-based milk, (or simply prefer recipes with less dairy products).
What’s especially great about their almond milk is that it’s shelf-stable and very versatile. Perfect for everything from savory entrees (or sides) to sweet desserts. Their new re-closable tetra packs provide added convenience, as you can refrigerate them for up to 10 days.
This was the perfect milk to help make my Basque pumpkin spice cheesecake rich and creamy, but with very little dairy.
The directions are quite easy. Simply cream everything together, bake for an hour, smell the deliciousness coming from your oven, and patiently wait to reveal the pretty, crackly exterior.
I also decided to bake homemade ginger-cinnamon sugar cookies to serve atop this cheesecake. Oh, and of course, a dollop of whipped cream too. The cookies provide that buttery, sweet, and flaky crust that everyone loves about pumpkin pie, but without lots of work.
Plus, these little cookies are way cuter than a traditional pie crust. They’re also so much more delicious with their sugar and spice coating.
I know we’re only very early into November, but I’m excited to already have this dessert on my Thanksgiving menu. It’s such an easy, make-ahead treat, that’s also super impressive…
And SO GOOD.
The outside is crackly, with slightly crisp edges. While the inside is the creamiest and so perfectly flavored with real pumpkin and spices. And then there are those cookies! They’re the perfect sweet and buttery finish. Can’t beat this cheesecake!
If you make this burnt Basque pumpkin spice cheesecake please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easiest Burnt Basque Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake.
Servings: 10
Calories Per Serving: 324 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 packages (8 ounce) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin pureè
- 3/4 cup Carnation® Almond Cooking Milk or heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Ginger Cinnamon Cookie Cutouts
- 1 pie crust homemade or store-bought
- 2 tablespoons melted salted butter
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- 1. Place a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 9-inch spring-form pan with parchment paper and grease with butter. 2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl until very smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then reduce the mixer speed to medium-low. Add the pumpkin, Carnation® Almond Cooking Milk, and vanilla. Beat until combined, about 30 seconds.3. Combine the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and salt. Sift the flour mix into the batter, then beat again to combine, about 30 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared parchment-lined pan. 4. Transfer to the oven and bake for 60-65 minutes, until deeply golden brown on top and still a little jiggly in the center. Let the cake cool 10 minutes, then unmold. Let cool completely. 5. Meanwhile, make the cookies. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly flour a clean counter. Unroll the pie crust and cut out your desired shapes using your favorite fall cookie cutter. Carefully transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. 6. Transfer to the oven and bake the cookies on the middle rack of the oven for 8-10 minutes, until just lightly golden brown. Cool on the baking sheet for five minutes and then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.7. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and ginger. Brush the melted butter over the cookies and then sprinkle the cookies with ginger-cinnamon sugar.8. To serve, slice into wedges, dollop with cream and top with cookies. Serve at room temperature or chilled. I like room temp best.
Notes
To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour.
Storing: this cake keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. Store cookies separately in an airtight container.
Almond Cooking Milk: can be found in the baking isle of most grocery stores around the evaporated milk. Find a location close to you here.
*Cheesecake base adapted from Bon Appétit.
{This post is sponsored by Nestlé Carnation Milk. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!}
How do you cut your cheesecakes and get such perfect slices? Mine always come out a mess.
Hey Courtney,
Try heating your knife under super hot water before cutting each slice:) I hope this helps! xT
Tieghan – Hi! Making this for friends tomorrow. Wondering if I can make it ahead of time (night before or in the morning before dinner). Should I refrigerate it? Managing a 1 yr old so trying to do things while he naps…. 🙂
Thanks so much! Your recipes all are amazing. Cant wait to try this one.
Hey Jen,
Totally, just keep it in the fridge:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Hello! I’m interested in reducing the dairy in this but the Almond Cooking Milk has been discontinued. Do you have any other suggestions (other than the heavy cream)? Thanks!
Hey Erin,
How about coconut cream? That should work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So yummy and easy! I didn’t have cardamom so I swapped for cloves and it was still the perfect fall flavor
Hey Jessica,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
Amazing !
Hey Meagan,
Happy Monday!🎃 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xx
So good!!
Hey Lisa,
Happy Sunday! Thanks for giving the recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Hello!
First, I have to tell you, you are a celebrity in our friend circle. Anytime we get together for a potluck there are guaranteed to be at least a few HBH recipes. 🙂 We LOVE your stuff.
I’ve baked your blueberry basque cheesecake and loved the puff pastry crust would work with this recipe? I plan to simply swap out the blueberry filling for the pumpkin filling.
Hey Lauren,
Sure, that should totally work well for you here. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
So I’m getting ready to make this for Thanksgiving this year… The only thing that I’m kind of confused about since I make traditional cheesecakes most of the time is: exactly how do I get the cheesecake off of the parchment paper once I remove the springform pan color?
I assume the parchment goes inside the springform pan and I just can’t wrap my brain around getting the cheesecake off of the parchment bottom
Hey Erin,
I just leave it on the bottom, the cheesecake slices will lift nicely off of the parchment when you serve. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This was amazing. Seriously. I left it in the oven 10 mins to cool, then 10 minutes on the counter before taking it out of the pan. It was perfect, no cracking, just heavenly. Even better the next day.
Hey there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 xTieghan
Do I line just the bottom of the springform pan with parchment or the entire inside of the springform pan?
Hi Cristina,
You will line the entire pan with parchment. I hope you love this recipe. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Could you substitute carrot for the pumpkin?
Hey Aimee,
I am not tested this, but I am assuming it would work well if you want the change of flavor. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Tasted GREAT! But I wish the end of the cheesecake bake wasn’t rushed in this recipe. I took it out of the oven as directed and ended up with the grand canyon of cracks through the middle. After researching, I realized it was the extreme temp change that caused the crack. I should’ve turned off the oven and let it sit in there with the door propped open to cool a bit when it was done.
Thank you so much Mara! I am glad this tasted amazing for you. If there is anything I can help with, please let me know! xTieghan
This is soooo good! I accidentally bought pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree so I didn’t put in any of the spices, and I forgot the flour (way too much going on this Thanksgiving) but it still turned out divine. Mine didn’t get quite as browned on top as the picture (I cooked it for an hour) but the parts that did have a really lovely carmelized flavor. I split the recipe in half but still baked it in the 9 inch spring form so it ended up shallow like a tart. I don’t like pumpkin pie and this recipe has put the nail in the coffin – this is the only type of pumpkin-related dessert I ever want on my plate! Can’t wait to make it the correct way next time…
I am so happy this turned out so well for you!! Thank you so much for trying this one! Please let me know if there is anything I can help with! xTieghan
The recipe description says “no-crust” but the recipe calls for a pie crust.
Looking forward to making this recipe for Thanksgiving and wondering if using the pumpkin spice cream cheese versus regular would make any difference
Hey Madeline,
I’ve never tried this, but I’m sure it would probably just add some extra pumpkin flavor. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Really great taste but it turned almost soggy in the end. A little too moist rather than firm like other cheesecakes I’ve had so it easily falls apart
Hi Tieghan can I half this and bake it in a 6in pan? My husband doesn’t like autumn spices and I can’t eat a 9in cheesecake all alone! Is the springform pan crucial or is it just for easy extraction and nice presentation? I would be using an ordinary 6in cake pan.
Hey Sarah,
That would be fine to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan