These Thanksgiving cheesecake recipes will make a beautiful autumnal centerpiece on your table and no one will be sorry to see one less pumpkin pie on the table. We’ve rounded up some of our best cheesecake recipes inspired by favorite Thanksgiving ingredients like pecan, pumpkin, caramel, and even bourbon (Since, you know, it is the South, after all.)
From creamy takes on the classics to totally unique options you’re gonna love, these spectacular Thanksgiving cheesecake recipes will have you leaving the pie to someone else this year.
Photographer: Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Erin Merhar; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee
No one has to choose when you have a spread of mini desserts, and you won’t find a more perfect Thanksgiving cheesecake than these grabbable pumpkin treats.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
You don’t even have to decide between pecan pie and cheesecake with this dessert. With a creamy cheesecake filling and crunchy pecan topping you get the best of both worlds in one crust.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell
Leave it to Southerners to find a place for bourbon in the Thanksgiving feast, and you won’t find a recipe that’ll disappear quicker than this super indulgent praline cheesecake.
David Malosh; Prop Styling: Robyn Glaser; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero
No one will be able to resist these bites of holiday heaven that don’t even require a springform pan. Add extra flair with sugared cranberries and serve any leftover cranberry compote with the Thanksgiving turkey.
Southern Living
Double the chocolate, double the fun. Make this uber-rich dessert and watch it get close to outshining the more traditional Thanksgiving pies on the dessert table.
Jennifer Davick
Two favorite fall flavors are all tied into one sweeter-than-Mama cheesecake that combines a pumpkin filling with a pecan praline topping.
Micah A. Leal
Something about the sugary, caramelized topping on this cheesecake makes it feel perfect for the coziest of family holidays.
Alison Miksch, prop styling: Prissy Lee, food styling: Erin Merhar
With a nutty graham cracker crust, creamy filling that’s slightly tangy, and salty-sweet butter pecan topping, this dessert is just the show-stopper to head up the table.
Jim Franco
Don’t worry folks: You can leave behind the snowflake garnish until it’s officially Christmastime in your household. You can easily sketch out a pumpkin, or grab a leaf pattern stencil and dust powdered sugar atop the cake for a gorgeous fall-themed design.
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Layers of cheesecake filling, caramel, and chocolate ganache in a chocolate cookie crust make for an irresistible treat to complete a holiday meal. Top with crushed pecans for a little crunch.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey
Oreo lovers will absolutely adore this cheesecake. Because the cheesecake needs to sit in the fridge overnight, you don’t have to worry about preparing any desserts on the day of. In fact, the cake stays good in the refrigerator for up to five days, so you can get dessert out of the way far in advance of the feast.
Micah A. Leal
When you see a pumpkin cheesecake, it’s typically made with a single filling of cream cheese flavored with pumpkin. In this recipe, you get a more literal approach that has a bottom layer of classic cheesecake and a top layer of pumpkin pie filling.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Giulietta Pinna; Food Styling: Ali Ramee
This creamy cheesecake has all the flavors of a traditional ambrosia salad—coconut, grapefruit, naval and blood oranges, and kumquats. And with colorful citrus garnishes, it’s holiday worthy.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Going the cheesecake route doesn’t mean you have to give up pie altogether, which is exactly what this incredibly indulgent recipe proves. A layer of cheesecake and a layer of pecan pie equals one big bite of heaven.
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell
The most jaded baker can choose to go way outside the Thanksgiving box—and you won’t regret it with this crowd-pleasing recipe that is inspired by a Southern favorite dessert: banana pudding.
Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro
With a dark chocolate crust, this red velvet cheesecake gets brownie points for being uber-rich and satisfying. Make it up to two days in advance to save you much-needed time on Thanksgiving day.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
When you think of making a cheesecake, you might associate it will a lot of work. This honey-flavored cheesecake takes away all the fuss and requires zero baking. In fact, you’ll just need 20 minutes to whip it up before letting it chill.
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
What’s more fall than a caramel apple flavored dessert? This grab-and-go cheesecake recipe is perfect for the kids table too.