The Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake is a seasonal favorite at the restaurant. This luscious cheesecake with gingersnap crust is flavored with pumpkin pie spices and topped with whipped cream.
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Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
This cheesecake is difficult to find at The Olive Garden because they only have it during the fall. You won’t have to be limited by the holidays any longer. You can make a pumpkin cheesecake that tastes just the restaurant’s recipe.
This luscious cheesecake combines the two classic favorites: a New York Style Cheesecake and pumpkin pie. The flavors of the pumpkin pie are complimented by a ginger snap cookie crumb crust, sweet whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of crumbled ginger snap cookies.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need to make pumpkin cheesecake:
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Ginger snap cookie crumbs
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Ground ginger
- Ground cloves
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Sour Cream
- Heavy Cream
- Pumpkin puree
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Caramel sauce
Update – I know some people felt like there were nuts in the crust. If you will note, they state there are no peanuts or nuts in their recipes. Â So I am going to assume this meant no nuts in the crust of this cheesecake as well.
I wrote to Olive Garden this is their response:
Dear Stephanie: Thank you for taking the time to contact us at olivegarden.com. We recognize the challenges with dining out when an allergy must be considered. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the information you requested regarding nuts or peanut oil as an ingredient at Olive Garden. Identifying allergens is a complex process for restaurants as there may be minuscule amounts of ingredients our vendors may not list. As you know, peanuts have been hidden in pie crusts, gravies, chili, spaghetti, soups, and cheesecakes. While none of our recipes include nuts or peanuts, we cannot say with complete accuracy that there are no nuts or possible cross introduction of nuts in our restaurants stemming from our vendors. Our current nutritional database does not include information to the level of detail required for your safety. We are unable to recommend any items with the confidence that we all need. If Guest Relations can be of further assistance, please write us again through the Olive Garden contact page or call us at 800-331-2729. We look forward to serving you with Hospitaliano at any of our Olive Garden restaurants. Ami, Olive Garden Guest Relations
How to Make Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Make the gingersnap crust and press into a springform pan.
- Mix the filling and pour it into the crust.
- Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
- Allow cheesecake to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the sour cream layer and spread it on top.
- Whip the heavy cream and spread it on top.
- When serving, drizzle caramel sauce and sprinkle crushed ginger snap cookies on the top.
Notes About Cheesecake Making
I personally do not use a water bath. I do have a clay baking stone in my oven, and my cheesecakes come out very well. You may wish to use a water bath when you prepare your cheesecake.
Also, I would really urge you to let your ingredients reach room temperature before blending together the filling. This really makes a difference in getting a nice, smooth filling.
Love Olive Garden? Try these copycat recipes
- Lasagna Mia Olive Garden
- How to Make Olive Garden Dressing
- Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Popular Pumpkin Recipes
- IHOP Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pumpkin Pie Recipe with Streusel Topping
- Spice Cookies with Pumpkin Dip
- Pumpkin Dump Dessert
- Make Pumpkin Bread Better than Starbucks
- Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (recipe with video)
- Pumpkin Pie Spice from Scratch
- Pumpkin Custard
- Double Layer Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Spice Cake Muffins
Be sure to check out more of my Olive Garden copycat recipes and the best fall recipes.
Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup ginger snap cookie crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 tablespoons melted butter
The Filling
- 24 ounces cream cheese
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 3 eggs
- 2/3 cups light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Sour Cream Layer
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg **freshly ground if available
Whipped Cream
- 2 pints heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Additional Toppings
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 cup ginger snap crumbs
Instructions
Crust Preparation
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, gingersnap crumbs, sugar, and butter; mix well. Press crust into a springform pan. Press the crust about halfway up the side of an 8-inch springform pan. Refrigerate crust while you continue to prepare the cheesecake.
Filing Preparation
- Allow extra time for mixing up this filling. Remove the pure pumpkin puree from the can and place in a couple of large paper towels. Wrap the pumpkin puree with the paper towels; this will soak up the excess water in the pumpkin puree. Continue to remove excess water from the pumpkin puree for about 60 minutes before making cheesecake mixture. Bring the remaining ingredients for the filling to room temperature while the pumpkin puree is being drained. With a mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs one at a time and then combine all ingredients for the filling in a mixer. Blend until very smooth. For best results, allow all ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing the filling. Remove crust from refrigerator, and pour in filling.
- Bake cheesecake at 350 for 30 minutes and then reduce temperature to 325 degrees for an additional 30 minutes. When you remove the cheesecake, it should be slightly jiggly in the center. The cheesecake will set up nicely as it cools.
Sour Cream Layer
- When you remove the cheesecake from the oven, set aside and prepare the seasoned cream cheese layer. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, sugar, and spices. Blend well. Spread seasoned sour cream mixture over the baked cheesecake evenly. Place the cheesecake back into the 325 degree oven for about 8 minutes, until the sour cream layer is set.
Whipped Cream
- Allow the cheesecake to cool. When the cheesecake is completely cool, you can add the whipped cream. In a medium-sized bowl, combine heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and sugar; mix well with a blender or a stand mixer. Whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks. Remove ring from the spring-form pan and either pipe the whipped cream over the pumpkin cheesecake or spread with a knife.
- When you are ready to serve the Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake, cut each slice, drizzle the top of the cheesecake with caramel sauce, and then sprinkle over ginger snap crumbs before serving.
BA Bonetti
You said you have a clay stone in your oven. Do you put the filled springform pan on the stone and bake it? I am trying this recipe for Thanksgiving dessert and have not given it a trial run.
Stephanie Manley
I would put the cheesecake on the stone, but that stone has been in various ovens of mine for 20+ years. That stone is not necessary.
BA Bonetti
Made it according to the recipe but used spiced wafers which are a specialty from the suburbs of Philly where I am originally from. The homemade whipped cream is a must. It was fantastic. I posted pics on Facebook along with the recipe link.
Leigh
My family prefers recipe this to Olive Garden’s. My mother-in-law even requested I make it every Thanksgiving in lieu of her traditional pumpkin pie! Thanks for the great new recipe/ tradition!!!
Kat
I felt like I needed more than 8 minutes for the sour cream layer. Just finished adding a few more minutes. Hope it came out okay. It wasn’t set after 8 minutes. Anybody else experience that?
Stephanie
How did it turn out?
Kat
I’ll let you know later lol. Haven’t eaten it yet. Made it last night for today.
Victoria
I have been making this recipe for probably 5+ years. I am not a huge pumpkin fan, I call it more fall spice cheesecake. I LOVE IT!!! A friend made if for me first and I didn’t even know it was an Olive Garden copycat recipe. I compared it to Olive Garden a few years ago and I actually like making my own better because I like extra spices 🙂
I would love to be able to get the ingredient list in total for a shopping list, so I can make sure I get enough of everything as some items fall into multiple categories.
Stephanie
Thank you for the comment. I’ll put in the suggestion on the shopping list. The website is pretty much in a constant state of development.
Daisy
This is a great cheesecake, making for my family for the holidays.
Debbie
Made this for our Thanksgiving in July. Loved it.
Andi
This was the first cheesecake I ever made and it came out pretty good! I mixed bits of cooked brownies into the batter before cooking it and put chocolate on top after it cooled. I would definitely make this again!
David
Love this recipe and wanted to say thank you! As a side note, I’m no an experienced baker, but wanted to mention that the Seasoned Sour Cream layer says “seasoned cream cheese” in the first sentence of the instructions. I almost swapped out the sour cream, but the number of mentions of the sour cream won out.
Stephanie
Thank you! I will get on that.
Gabbie
I really liked the recipe. Amazing work as always, Thanks
Leigh Roberts
Can I use a 9″ springform pan? Will it affect cooking time? If so, how? Thanks!
Stephanie
Yes, I would reduce the cooking time, or check it at amount 20 minutes before the stated time.
BA Bonetti
I used a 9 inch and this was perfect timing.
JENN
CAN YOU MAKE THIS THE DAY BEFORE? IF SO, SHOULD IT SIT OUT AFTER REFRIGERATION BEFORE SERVING? OR SERVE IT COLD RIGHT OUT OF THE FRIDGE? WOULD I PUT THE WHIPPED CREAM ON BEFORE REFRIGERATING OR RIGHT BEFORE SERVING? THANKS!
Stephanie
You can make it the day before, but you should refrigerate it.
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OMG!! Simply delish! All of those neighbor ladies wanted my recipe. I told them about your website.
Betty Mayer
Have you tried this with fat free cream cheese and sour cream?
Stephanie
I have not tried it with the fat-free dairy.
Betty Ginger
I cannot find any quantities for the eggs refereed to in the pumpkin cheesecake recipe. How many eggs are we supposed to be used. I see other people have made it, and never mentioned an ingredient missing
Stephanie
The filling takes 3 eggs.
IlovePumpkinspice
I like Your Site. Awesome Work
bloxorz
Tried this again, for the second time. loved it.
happy wheels
I made this pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving, and you know what, it was great, and I didn’t even get a crack in it. How great is that?
shazia jan
Thank you for sharing!
happy wheels
The cake looked delicious. I want to eat right away
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