Description
Haunted Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are a delightful fall treat that combines creamy pumpkin filling with a crunchy graham cracker crust, perfect for Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs: This forms the base of your bars, providing a crunchy texture.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted: The butter helps bind the crumbs together, creating a rich crust.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: This adds sweetness to the crust, balancing the flavors.
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened: Cream cheese gives the bars their creamy, smooth texture.
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree: Pumpkin adds flavor and moisture, making these bars perfect for fall.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: This sweetens the filling and helps achieve a silky consistency.
- 2 large eggs: Eggs provide structure and stability to the cheesecake filling.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the bars.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: This spice adds warmth and a classic fall flavor.
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Nutmeg complements the pumpkin, giving it a cozy aroma.
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger: Ginger adds a hint of spice, enhancing the flavor profile.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream (for ghostly shapes): This is whipped to create fun ghost decorations on top.
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (for chocolate drizzle): Chocolate adds a rich contrast to the pumpkin flavor.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for chocolate drizzle): This helps the chocolate melt smoothly for drizzling.
Instructions
- Prepare the crust by combining graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of a lined baking pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- Make the pumpkin cheesecake filling by beating softened cream cheese until smooth, then adding pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the pumpkin cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake the assembled bars in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle. Let cool at room temperature for about an hour.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, then cut into squares and decorate with whipped cream ghost shapes and chocolate drizzle before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil; can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Best served chilled to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Haunted Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Pumpkin Dessert, Halloween Treats, Fall Recipes