Amazing Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars — two layers of delicious cheesecake on a rich cinnamon almond walnut crust all topped with an easy streusel.

If you’re looking for a pumpkin pie alternative this fall season, these pumpkin Cheesecake bars will be sure to please.  Decked out with not one but TWO layers of rich creamy cheesecake, topped with an easy cinnamon streusel and sit on top of a delicious almond walnut crust.  Even the strictly traditional pumpkin pie lover, will enjoy a piece of this amazing pumpkin cheesecake bar this holiday season. I’m a cheesecake lover, through and through!   If I could have a piece of cheesecake every night I would be in heaven.  Anytime I can switch up flavors and try a new cheesecake recipe, I’m there.  With pumpkin season here, what better recipe to share than a fabulous, rich pumpkin cheesecake recipe.  It seems like a lot is going on in this recipe but it’s actually really easy.

Walnut crust:

Walnuts can be crushed by using a bag and rolling pin, food processor or blender.  If the walnuts turn into walnut butter, it’s not a big deal. I like this crust with little bits of walnuts but if you prefer a smoother texture, by all means, make nut butter. 😉  After the nuts are crushed you’ll be ready to mix the crust up.  Once made, the crust mixture will be ready to be pressed firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 8×8-inch baking dish lined with OVERHANGING parchment paper.  The parchment paper helps when it comes to removing the bars to cut.

Cheesecake layers:

Next, the cheesecake layers!  Even though there are two distinct, separate layers, they are easy because they’re made at the same time.  You’ll mix the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and eggs together to make the white traditional cheesecake layer.  Once the white traditional cheesecake layer is mixed, part of it is removed (pouring it over the nut crust) then the remainder is used to make the gorgeous orange layer.  Pumpkin and spices are added to the second cheesecake layer to create that perfectly delicious pumpkin spice layer.  Once the beautiful pumpkin cheesecake batter is mixed until smooth, you’ll very carefully pour or spoon it onto the white layer. Note, you’ll want to be very careful when pouring or scooping the pumpkin layer onto the white layer.  To get two distinct layers the white layer needs to stay even.  If you pour the pumpkin mixture with a big plop, the pumpkin layer will sink into the white layer and make your layers uneven.

Streusel topping:

This streusel is so easy.  It consists of sugars, oats, flour, butter, salt, and vanilla.  It makes a crumbly rich addition to these pumpkin cheesecake bars.  It adds that something extra but if you’re not a fan of streusel, no pressure here, you could leave it off.  Once the streusel topping is made, just sprinkle it evenly over the top of the pumpkin cheesecake layer.  It’s time to bake the bars.

Almost done…

These bars bake up in about 60 minutes in a 350 degree F. oven.  Once they’re baked, let it cool slightly then place it in the fridge or freezer for a couple hours.  This helps the bars become firm and much easier to cut.  The longer you let them chill out the cleaner the squares will cut and better they will look. It’s worth a little bit of waiting! trust me. 🙂 These pumpkin bars, with there delicious cheesecake layers and pumpkin spice fragrance, come out beautifully! The color of the crust against the white and fall orange colored layers look amazing and taste even better.  This recipe is a one you’ll want to share, with a serving size of 16! Enjoy this pumpkin cheesecake recipe at your next fall gathering!  Everyone will be raving about them.

What’s your favorite fall time recipe?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Looking for more delicious fall desserts? These ones are great! [wds id=”12″]

Printable recipe and directions: