Last Updated on October 6, 2022 by Griselda M.
Christmas season it’s around the corner and we’ve been asked for our pecan pie cheesecake recipe and guess what?… The time to reveal our secret recipe has come!
It is not a simple walnut cheesecake, we’ve added the irresistible pecan nuts flavor to it. So, get ready for the step-by-step guide and the ingredients needed to make this delicious cheesecake.
Pecan Cheesecake
Pecan pie was created in America. The first signs of this recipe appeared in 1898 in St. Louis County, Texas. This pecan pie recipe was found in a Texan woman’s cookbook. Here you can learn more about this dessert: Pecan Pie – Authentic Recipe & History.
And now, we have brought you the perfect duo between a cheesecake and the topping of the original pecan pie.
You may be asking what’s the difference between a pecan pie and a pecan pie cheesecake… let me tell you.
Difference Between Pie and Cheesecake
Here you have 5 different characteristics between these two:
Pie Characteristics
- It’s short
- Its crust is made of dough that covers the edges of the mold.
- You must use a pie or tart mold.
- No water bath method should be used.
- Can also be covered by another layer of dough.
Cheesecake Characteristics
- It’s taller than the pie or tart.
- Always made with cheese or its equivalent.
- Its crust is made of crumbs or many other ingredients, except for dough.
- It is usually made in a tall cake pan or springform pan.
- A water bath method should be used. But it’s also optional.
When you combine these two, you get the crunchy texture of a classic pecan pie along with the creaminess of a cheesecake.
In the following paragraph, we’ll give you some interesting information about pecan nuts also. Check it out!
What Are Pecans?
Pecans or pecan nuts are a food that is included within the group of nuts. They are pecan tree seeds, a tree native to northern Mexico and the southern United States, and they were propagated thanks to the American Natives.
They have a high nutritional value and excellent health benefits. And compared to other nuts, the pecan nut is the one with the highest energy value, with 700 kilocalories per 100 grams, although, the recommended daily serving is 42 grams.
One of its most important benefits is that it’s unsaturated fatty acids reduce cholesterol in the blood. That’s right, they have many benefits and are very healthy, so we should always consider them in our daily diet.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Step-by-Step Recipe
This is absolutely delicious! If you’re a caramel and nut lover, then this recipe will make you nuts!
Ingredients Needed For The Crust
- 1 1/2 cup of graham crackers
- 1/3 melted butter – salted –
- 1 tbsp of cinnamon powder
Ingredients Needed For The Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz of cream cheese – 3 packages –
- 3 medium-sized eggs
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
Ingredients Needed For The Pecan Pie Topping
- 1 3/4 cup of pecan nuts
- 4 tbsp of melted butter – salted –
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon powder
- 1/4 cup of whipping cream – or heavy cream –
Kirkland Signature Pecan Halves, 2 Pound (2 Pack)
Step-by-Step Guide
For The Crust
Step #1: Grind and mix
In a food processor, process the cookies along with the cinnamon. Then, pour these crumbs into a mixing bowl and add the melted butter to the mixture, until you have a gritty mass to play with.
If you want it to be firmer add more butter or a splash of water. But, be careful with the water, you don’t want this to end up being gummy.
Step #2: Grease and press
Grease your springform pan or line it with parchment paper, and put the crumb mixture on the bottom. Next, press it carefully using your fingers until it’s firm. Then, refrigerate for ten minutes.
Step #3: Preheat and build a Bain-marie
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and place a water bath underneath the grill.
Step #4: Cover your springform
Wrap the springform pan with aluminum foil at the bottom so that the water from the bain-marie doesn’t leak into the cheesecake.
For The Cheesecake Filling
Step #1: Mix
First, prepare your electric mixer. Second, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Third, add the vanilla, sugar, and sour cream and mix until well combined.
Lastly, lower the speed and add the eggs one at a time. You can use a spatula to scrape the edges of the bowl so that everything blends well.
Step #2: Prepare the cheesecake
Pour your cheesecake mixture onto the crust and carefully tap it to eliminate any existing bubbles and prevent this from cracking.
Step #3: Bake your cheesecake
Lower the temperature of the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and put Cheesecake in the water bath. Bake for about 1 hour.
Step #4: Time to turn off the oven
Turn off the oven and leave the door semi-open. Let the cheesecake cool down inside the oven for another hour.
Step #5: Let it cool
Once the time has passed, remove your cheesecake from the oven and let it cool to room temperate. Once is completely cool, refrigerate for at least 4 to 6 hours to let it sit correctly.
For The Pecan Pie Topping
Step #1: Melt and combine
Melt the butter in a saucepan at low heat. Then, add the brown sugar and stir with a heatproof spatula. When it starts to bubble add the cinnamon, cream, and nuts. You can turn off the flame now.
Here’s a tip: make sure you don’t burn the butter, if this happens, your pecan pie topping will end up having a bitter taste.
Step #2: Final touches
Remove your cheesecake from the fridge, carefully lift the springform pan ring and pour the pecan pie mixture onto your cheesecake.
Step #3: Enjoy!
With a sharp and previously wet knife, cut a slice and enjoy it.
Read more about Oreo Cheesecake Brownies With Brownie Mix
Final Words
Cooking a cheesecake is art. Having the patience to let it rest without you falling into the sin of not doing so… It’s complicated! But not impossible.
Let’s take into consideration that a cheesecake has its facets. And so, to be able to enjoy it 100% we must follow the step-by-step instructions perfectly. That way we will avoid any inconvenience, such as a cracked surface, over or under baked cheesecake, etc.
And if you don’t have a springform pan and you want to use a regular pan, here you’ll see how to remove cheesecake from a regular pan.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Ingredients
Ingredients Needed For The Crust
- 1 1/2 cup of graham crackers
- 1/3 melted butter - salted -
- 1 tbsp of cinnamon powder
Ingredients Needed For The Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz of cream cheese - 3 packages -
- 3 medium-sized eggs
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
Ingredients Needed For The Pecan Pie Topping
- 1 3/4 cup of pecan nuts
- 4 tbsp of melted butter - salted -
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon powder
- 1/4 cup of whipping cream - or heavy cream -
Instructions
For The Crust
- In a food processor, process the cookies along with the cinnamon. Then, pour these crumbs into a mixing bowl and add the melted butter to the mixture, until you have a gritty mass to play with.
- If you want it to be firmer add more butter or a splash of water. But, be careful with the water, you don't want this to end up being gummy.
- Grease your springform pan or line it with parchment paper, and put the crumb mixture on the bottom. Next, press it carefully using your fingers until it's firm. Then, refrigerate for ten minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and place a water bath underneath the grill.
- Wrap the springform pan with aluminum foil at the bottom so that the water from the bain-marie doesn't leak into the cheesecake.
For The Cheesecake Filling
- First, prepare your electric mixer. Second, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Third, add the vanilla, sugar, and sour cream and mix until well combined.
- Lastly, lower the speed and add the eggs one at a time. You can use a spatula to scrape the edges of the bowl so that everything blends well.
- Pour your cheesecake mixture onto the crust and carefully tap it to eliminate any existing bubbles and prevent this from cracking.
- Lower the temperature of the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and put Cheesecake in the water bath. Bake for about 1 hour.
- Turn off the oven and leave the door semi-open. Let the cheesecake cool down inside the oven for another hour.
- Once the time has passed, remove your cheesecake from the oven and let it cool to room temperate. Once is completely cool, refrigerate for at least 4 to 6 hours to let it sit correctly.
For The Pecan Pie Topping
- Melt the butter in a saucepan at low heat. Then, add the brown sugar and stir with a heatproof spatula. When it starts to bubble add the cinnamon, cream, and nuts. You can turn off the flame now.
- Here's a tip: make sure you don't burn the butter, if this happens, your pecan pie topping will end up having a bitter taste.
- Remove your cheesecake from the fridge, carefully lift the springform pan ring and pour the pecan pie mixture onto your cheesecake.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Griselda is an experienced pastry chef and baker with a passion for creating delicious desserts. She has been cooking and baking for over ten years and loves the creative process of creating something special for her friends, family, and customers. Griselda has a special talent for creating beautiful and tasty desserts like cakes, pies, and cookies. She is experienced in a variety of baking techniques and loves to experiment with new flavors and textures. When Griselda isn‘t in the kitchen, she loves to spend time with her friends, family, and her two cats.