Every fall, I eagerly await Olive Garden’s limited-time pumpkin cheesecake, only to be disappointed when it disappears from the menu after the holidays. This seasonal treasure combines the rich decadence of New York-style cheesecake with warm pumpkin pie spices and a gingersnap crust that adds the perfect textural contrast. After conducting numerous experiments, I’ve recreated this restaurant masterpiece, allowing you to enjoy it year-round.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to perfect pumpkin cheesecake lies in balancing moisture and spice while preventing cracks. Using both cream cheese and sour cream creates the ideal creamy texture, while the combination of pumpkin puree and warm spices delivers authentic fall flavor. The gingersnap crust provides spiced sweetness that complements rather than competes with the filling.
Room temperature ingredients are crucial for smooth blending, and the two-stage baking process ensures even cooking without overbaking the edges.
Ingredients
For the Gingersnap Crust:
- Graham cracker crumbs – Provides traditional cheesecake base with mild sweetness
- Gingersnap cookie crumbs – Adds warm spice and crispy texture that complements pumpkin
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens crust and helps bind crumbs together
- Ground cinnamon – Enhances warm spice profile throughout the crust
- Ground nutmeg – Contributes subtle warmth and complexity to the spice blend
- Ground ginger – Intensifies ginger flavor and adds aromatic heat
- Ground cloves – Provides a deep, warm spice note essential for fall flavor
- Unsalted butter – Binds crust ingredients and creates a tender, crispy base
For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling:
- Cream cheese – Creates a rich, smooth base texture characteristic of cheesecake
- Sour cream – Adds tangy flavor and helps prevent cracking during baking
- Heavy cream – Contributes richness and helps achieve silky smooth consistency
- Pumpkin puree – Provides signature fall flavor and beautiful orange color
- Large eggs – Bind ingredients and create a proper custard-like texture
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens filling and helps create a smooth consistency
- Light brown sugar – Adds molasses notes that complement the pumpkin flavor
- Pure vanilla extract – Enhances overall flavor complexity and sweetness
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors
For Toppings:
- Caramel sauce – Provides a sweet drizzle that complements spiced flavors
- Additional gingersnap crumbs – Creates textural contrast and visual appeal
Update – I know some people felt like there were nuts in the crust. As you can see, they state that their recipes contain no peanuts or nuts.  So I am going to assume this meant no nuts in the crust of this cheesecake as well.
I wrote to Olive Garden, and 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-contamination 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 it 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 want to use a water bath when preparing your cheesecake.
Additionally, I would strongly recommend letting your ingredients reach room temperature before blending the filling together. This really makes a difference in getting a nice, smooth filling.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorbing other flavors.
- Serving Temperature: Serve chilled directly from the refrigerator. Let sit 10 minutes at room temperature for easier slicing.
- Freezing: Freeze without toppings for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add fresh toppings before serving.
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
- 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
Check out more of my Olive Garden copycat recipes and the best fall recipes.
Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake Copycat Recipe
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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?
How did it turn out?
I’ll let you know later lol. Haven’t eaten it yet. Made it last night for today.
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.
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.
This is a great cheesecake, making for my family for the holidays.
Made this for our Thanksgiving in July. Loved it.
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!
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.
Thank you! I will get on that.
I really liked the recipe. Amazing work as always, Thanks
Can I use a 9″ springform pan? Will it affect cooking time? If so, how? Thanks!
Yes, I would reduce the cooking time, or check it at amount 20 minutes before the stated time.
I used a 9 inch and this was perfect timing.
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!
You can make it the day before, but you should refrigerate it.
OMG!! Simply delish! All of those neighbor ladies wanted my recipe. I told them about your website.
Have you tried this with fat free cream cheese and sour cream?
I have not tried it with the fat-free dairy.
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
The filling takes 3 eggs.
I like Your Site. Awesome Work
Tried this again, for the second time. loved it.
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?
Thank you for sharing!
The cake looked delicious. I want to eat right away
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