Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason Jars is a light, tangy and perfect single-serving dessert for Thanksgiving! Make-ahead and portable too.
This post sponsored by American Express. All opinions are my own.
Thanksgiving is in the air signaling the time for friends, family, travel and favorite soul-warming foods.
As much as we love all of this it can become too much, am I right? Today I have two things to make your holiday season easier and more enjoyable!
First, a spin on a Thanksgiving classic recipe changed up that can be made ahead of time and will delight your diners: Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason Jars. It’s a perfect unexpected individual dessert to cap off a holiday dinner.
Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes are portable too making them perfect if you are having Friendsgiving or dining elsewhere. Making these pumpkin pie cheesecakes the day before gives a break to all the hard-core cooking that happens on the holiday itself.
I am making my holiday season easier in another way too. For the past few months, I have been enjoying the new American Express Gold Card (in Rose Gold for me!), saving money on grocery shopping, dining out and travel. I know you’ll want to know more about this!
The American Express Gold Card is the perfect partner for all the food we’re making and enjoying, as well as any travel we’re planning for the season.
Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes
This little four-bite dessert is the perfect blend of pumpkin pie and cheesecake for a creamy, tangy seasonal dessert.
The pumpkin pie cheesecakes are a blend of cream cheese and mascarpone cheese making them familiarly tangy but also extra light and creamy thanks to the mascarpone.
If you are unfamiliar with mascarpone cheese, it is essentially a very thick cream that has the consistency similar to but a lighter than a cream cheese.
Creamy Mascarpone Cheese is the Secret Ingredient
Mascarpone’s flavor is subtle but it allows these cheesecakes to have their creamy consistency and light texture vs a heavier cheesecake consistency.
These bitty desserts have the familiar seasoning of pumpkin pie, with a spiced-up ginger snap crust and the rustic sensibilities we love about Thanksgiving.
Make these Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes Ahead!
If you are traveling for the holidays, these can be made the day before and chilled with a traditional Mason jar lid and delivered as single serving desserts.
How to Make Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes – Step by Step:
Easy to prepare, they can be made the day before and served chilled or at room temperature. Served in 4-ounce jelly jars they are not only cute but a good four big bites, just about the right amount to appreciate the luscious flavors but without overwhelming the already stuffed stomach.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray 4-ounce jelly jars with non-stick spray.
- In a mixing bowl combine the ginger snap crumbs (gluten-free or regular), sugar and butter. Stir to combine (will resemble moist sand in appearance).
- Spoon the crumbs equally into the 12 prepared jelly jars and tamp down (the bottom of a wine cork or back of a dining spoon work great).
- Beat together the cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, pumpkin puree, remaining sugar and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is fluffy and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Spoon the filling evenly into the prepared jars (fill to ½-inch below top of the jar).
- Bake in a water bath (place jars into a 13-inch by 9-inch baking pan, fill halfway up the jars with water) for 30 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool to room temperature.
Why Use a Water Bath for these Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes
Cooking the cheesecakes gently, on a slightly lower temperature and in a water bath, allows them to be creamier and not to crack!
American Express Gold Card – Great Rewards for Food and Travel Lovers!
This time of year is full of dining, entertaining and traveling and the new American Express Gold Card is a perfect partner for everything I’m doing.
I have it with me always and love the limited-edition metal design and rose gold color (also available in gold).
Here is what I’m loving about using the American Express (Rose) Gold Card:
- When I use the new American Express Gold Card, I can earn 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on purchases at US restaurants. This is great for all the holiday dining with friends and family that stacks up over the next few months.
- There is an annual $120 Dining Credit, which gives me a $10 per month in statement credit when I pay with the Gold Card at my favorite participating restaurants. What’s not to love about that!
- I also can earn 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at US supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per year). I am constantly at the grocery store at this time of year between entertaining and creating recipes so am loving this benefit.
- For traveling, I earn 3X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with the airlines and on amextravel.com. Awesome, right?
This Card is perfect for food and travel lovers (especially at this time of year)!
The limited-edition Rose Gold Card is available for new and existing Card Members through January 9, 2019. Terms apply. For more details on the program and rewards, visit American Express.
If you’ve made this Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!
Are you an American Express Gold Card Member? Tell me what YOU love about using your Gold Card in a comment below!
Mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason Jars
As an alternative for to a full pie, these mini Pumpkin Pie Cheesecakes in Mason jelly jars provide a light, tangy version of the beloved traditional pie in moderate servings. May be made the day prior and served at room temperature or chilled.
If traveling for Thanksgiving, simply add Mason jar lids and bring them along.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Ginger Snap crumbs , gluten-free or regular (I used gluten-free Midel Ginger Snaps, ground in a blender to make crumbs)
- 1 tablespoon plus 3 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter , melted
- 3 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar
- 1 8- ounce package of Mascarpone Cheese , room temperature
- 6 ounces Cream Cheese (3/4 of an 8-ounce package), room temperature
- 3/4 cups Pumpkin Puree (canned or homemade)
- 2 Eggs , room temperature
- 3/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Supplies: 12 4-ounce jelly jars
- Optional topping: Chopped Candied Maple Pecans , whipped cream and/or fresh mint sprig
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray jelly jars inside with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the ginger snap crumbs, 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar and the melted butter; stir to fully combine.
- Spoon crust mixture evenly into the twelve prepared jars (approximately 1 tablespoon per jar). Tamp crust down with the back of a dining spoon or a wine cork (something with a flat bottom) to evenly distribute crust on the bottom of the jars.
- In the bowl of a freestanding mixer, beat together the cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, pumpkin puree, remaining sugar (3 tablespoons each granulated and brown sugar) and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.
- Add the eggs, one at a time; beat on medium-high until incorporated and the mixture is fluffly and light. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- Add the cheese mixture evenly to the jelly jars, filling to the lowest outer glass ring (approximately 1/2 inches from the top of the jar; refer to photos).
- Place jars in a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Fill the pan with boiling water until the water level reaches halfway up the outside of the jelly jars.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove mini cheesecakes from the pan and allow to cool to room temperature on a cooling rack. They may be served chilled or at room temperature.
Danijela says
This looks so yummy!
Liren | Kitchen Confidante says
I love using mascarpone cheese in cheesecakes, and these portable pies are adorable and perfect for Friendsgiving! We’re thinking of road tripping to see my sister this holiday…both these pies and the rose gold Amex card will be just the thing 😉
Amy says
I need to try mascarpone pie for my cheesecakes! These would make a great gift addition!
Sabrina says
What perfect cute little desserts! I love these!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
I love this idea! Perfect treat for the holidays! Yummy!
Cheryl says
what a delicious way to enjoy pumpkin pie!!
Lori says
These are the sweetest- such a cute idea for my fall dinner party!
Meghan says
LOVE the ginger snap crust for these cheesecakes! Such an adorable idea to put them in the mini mason jars.
Liz says
The combination of the crust and toppings makes for a perfect fall dessert!!!
Aimee Shugarman says
These are perfect for those of us traveling this holiday. THANK YOU
Kimberly says
These are adorable and so perfect for Autumn-themed entertaining!
Kimberly says
These are adorable and they’re so perfect for Autumn-themed entertaining!
Trish Rosenquist says
Mason jar desserts are just so fun! Love these!
Alida | Simply Delicious says
So stinkin’ cute!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I love that you can make these the day before!
Melissa Sperka says
My family flips for these, they’re the ideal mini pumpkin dessert!
Sommer says
So cute, so practical, and oh so delicious!
Liz Mays says
These are just the cutest and I loving the sound of the ginger snap crust. The cheesecakes look really nice in the mason jars!
Marcie W. says
Just when I thought I could not love cheesecake any more than I already do, you add pumpkin pie into the mix. These look delicious and the individual portions are perfect for a holiday gathering.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Pumpkin AND cheesecake!? Sign me up!
Danielle Smith says
Pumpkin pie. Check. Cheesecake. Check. Combining the 2 together into Mason jars. Double check. These look so amazing!
Brandy says
I love how adorable these mini pumpkin pie cheesecakes look in these mason jars. I will have to make these for my family for Thanksgiving!
Krystel | Travel on a Budget says
Going to bookmark this because I am definitely going to try this. I love pumpkin anything
Veronica Vilora Solomon says
What perfect little treats. I would love to try this recipe. I love anything cheesecake
Amy says
These mini pies are super adorable!! I love how they also allow for good portion control too which is important!
Joanne says
I love having things in individual portions, and these were delicious!
Barbara Schieving says
Such a fun way to serve pumpkin pie cheesecake.
Cyn Gagen says
I am not a pumpkin pie fan. Pumpkin cheesecake is another story. This looks and sounds scrumptious. The addition of mascarpone? Get in my belly now!
Barbara Schieving says
Love my Amex for travel. These mini cheesecakes are so fun!
Kathy says
Those look really good. Such a great idea too. I think these would be great to give out during the holidays.
Amanda says
This is such a cute idea! I can’t wait to make these for the holiday!
Charity says
I love this idea! Perfect for a holiday dessert buffet!
Theresa says
I tend to overindulge during the holidays, so these mini pumpkin cheesecakes would be perfect for me. I could still treat myself to a little dessert without over doing it. Perfect!
Elicit Folio says
This recipe looks so yummy and easy! I was just looking for a dessert to bake for a girls night this weekend! I think I found my recipe!
Gervin Khan says
I am thinking of what best dessert should I make on this coming Thanksgiving and I think I already have an answer to that question. I will imitate this recipe and I am sure everyone will love it. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us.
Stephanie Pass says
This looks amazing for a holiday dinner! My daughter just told me how much she loves cheesecake and pumpkin pie. I bet she would go nuts for them together.
Catalina says
Cheesecakes are always a winner in our house! I love these fall flavors! Yummy!
Lora | Savoring Italy says
Love any thing mini and these mini pumpkin cheesecakes look fantastic!!
Stephanie Manley says
What a fantastic idea for Thanksgiving! I love individual desserts!
Jennifer says
I love anything cooked in a mason jar. These pumpkin pie cheesecake desserts look like pure perfection to me!
emman damian says
Pumpkin is not native to my country so maybe I’ll use squash instead for this recipe. It looks really yummy!
Rachel says
There is a local stor that specializes in cheesecake. Everything is sold in mason jars. It works perfecty for packaging and sales.
Carrie says
Great for the holidays
Peter says
I Love this recipe. Anything in a mason jar is awesome. American Express is an amazing cc company
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I love that you put them in jars!
Cathy Pollak says
These are so adorable and festive for the holidays.
Jamielyn says
Absolutely love this idea! The perfect individual sized sweet treat for Thanksgiving!
Anna says
This is such an adorable idea for a mini treat! Beautiful and delicious!
Julia says
These are just the cutest! The perfect holiday dessert.
Allyson Zea says
These look too perfect for fall and winter! I love using pumpkin purée for anything so I can’t wait to try these!
Autumn Murray says
Rose Gold Amex Card? Yes, please. I had not heard of the Rose Gold Amex until reading this post.
I am glad I read your post as I was this morning making my list of dishes that I am going to prepare for Thanksgiving. I love the mini pumpkin pie cheesecakes and am adding them to my list! Thank you.
Krista says
these are a cute dessert option for the Holidays! Love the jar look!
Lindsay Cotter says
What a fun dessert twist! Perfect ending to a Thanksgiving dinner!
Brandy O'Neill says
I love mini desserts! This cheesecake looks delicious!