No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

Liz Gibbs • October 25, 2024

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No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

Prep Time

30 mins

Chill Time

8 hrs

Total Time

8 hrs 30 mins

Servings

10 to 12 servings

Yield

1 (10-inch) cheesecake

Ingredients

For the gingersnap crust

  • 2 cups (200g to 250g) gingersnap crumbs or graham cracker crumbs1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted

For the pumpkin cheesecake filling

  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée1 cup (240ml) heavy cream2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese1 cup (120g) powdered sugar2 tablespoons molasses1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1 teaspoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

For the optional toppings

  • 1 cup heavy cream2 tablespoons powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractCaramel sauce


Method

  1. Drain the pumpkin:
  2. Use a spatula to scrape the pumpkin purée out of the can and into a small bowl lined with a couple of layers of paper towels. Set aside while you prepare the crust and the whipped cream. 
  3. The paper towels will draw some water out of the pumpkin purée for a thicker cheesecake filling.


Make the no-bake crust:

In a large bowl or food processor, combine the cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter with a silicone spatula until all the crumbs are evenly moistened and the mixture begins to clump together.

Transfer the crumb mixture into a 9 or 10-inch springform pan. Use your hand or the bottom of a measuring cup to pack the crumbs into an even layer on the bottom of the pan and slightly up the sides. Compact the crust firmly to prevent it from being too crumbly.

Transfer the pan to the freezer to chill while preparing the filling.


Whip the cream:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, whip the heavy cream on medium-high speed until thickened and very stiff peaks form, about 1 to 2 minutes.  Transfer the whipped cream to a small bowl and set aside.


Whip the cream cheese:

In the same bowl used for the whipped cream, whip the cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth, about 4 minutes. Pause a few times to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all of the cream cheese is whipped and smooth.


Make the filling:

To the whipped cream cheese, add the drained pumpkin purée, powdered sugar, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. Mix on the lowest speed until most of the powdered sugar has been incorporated into the mixture, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the filling is creamy and perfectly smooth. Pause and scrape the bowl a few times during mixing to ensure the filling is free of any lumps.


Fold in the whipped cream:

Use a silicone spatula to gently fold the whipped cream into the pumpkin mixture. As you mix, rotate the bowl and use the spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and stir in gentle, sweeping motions to prevent deflating the air in the whipped cream.


Fill and chill:

Remove the crust from the freezer and fill it with the pumpkin mixture. Use a small offset spatula, or the silicone spatula, to level and smooth the top of the cake. Cover the pan tightly with a layer of plastic. Try to avoid letting the plastic touch the surface of the cake. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled and the filling has set, at least 8 hours, ideally 12 to 24 hours.

  1. Remove from the pan:
  2. When the cake is set and you’re ready to decorate and serve, run a small offset spatula or a butter knife around the edge of the cake. Remove the rim of the pan. Carefully slide the cake onto a serving plate, or serve it directly from the pan.


Make the whipped cream topping (optional):

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 1 to 2 minutes. The cream should thicken, and when you pull the whisk out of the bowl, the peak should stand up.
  2. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe large rosettes around the top of the cake and drizzle the cake with caramel sauce, if using. Slice and serve.
  3. Leftover cheesecake can be stored covered in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.

Smash Tacos

By Liz Gibbs • March 25, 2026
Ingredients: Burger Sauce - 1/4 cup mayonnaise - 2 Tbsp. ketchup - 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish - 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard - 1 tsp. hot sauce Smash Burger Tacos - 1 lb. ground beef - 6 (5") flour tortillas - 2 tsp. store-bought or homemade burger seasoning - Kosher salt - 6 Tbsp. neutral oil, divided - 6 slices American cheese, divided - 18 thin bread-and-butter pickle slices - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce - 3 Tbsp. chopped yellow onion - White sesame seeds, for serving Directions S Burger Sauce Step 1 - In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, mustard, and hot sauce until combined. Step 2 - Make Ahead: Sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Cover bowl and refrigerate. Smash Burger Tacos Step 1 - Divide beef into 6 portions about 2 1/2 ounces each. Top each tortilla with a portion of beef. Using a fork, flatten beef on top of tortilla into an even layer, leaving a 1/2" border. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon burger seasoning; season with a pinch of salt. Step 2 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil and swirl pan to coat. Arrange 2 tacos beef side down and press into skillet to flatten with a sturdy spatula or burger press. Cook, undisturbed, until beef is browned and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip tacos, top each with a slice of cheese, and cook until cheese is slightly melty, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 4 burger tacos. Step 3 - Top each taco with burger sauce, pickles, lettuce, onion, and sesame seeds.

Oven Fried Fish & Chips

By Liz Gibbs • February 25, 2026
Ingredients Recipe yields 4 servings - Canola or olive oil cooking spray - 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges - 4 teaspoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado - 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning, divided - 2 cups cornflakes - ¼ cup all-purpose flour - ¼ teaspoon salt - 2 large egg whites, beaten - 1 pound cod, or haddock, cut into 4 portions For the Coleslaw - 1/2 cup mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 2 tablespoons maple syrup - 1 teaspoon dijon mustard - 1 teaspoon celery seed - salt and pepper to taste - 16 oz shredded coleslaw mix Directions for cod / fries 1) Position racks in upper and lower third of oven; preheat to 425 degrees F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Set a wire rack on another large baking sheet; coat with cooking spray. 2) Place potatoes in a colander. Thoroughly rinse with cold water, then pat dry completely with paper towels. Toss the potatoes, oil and 3/4 teaspoon Cajun (or Creole) seasoning in a large bowl. Spread on the baking sheet without the rack. Bake on the lower oven rack, turning every 10 minutes, until tender and golden, 30 to 35 minutes. 3) Meanwhile, coarsely grind cornflakes in a food processor or blender or crush in a sealable plastic bag. Transfer to a shallow dish. Place flour, the remaining 3/4 teaspoon Cajun (or Creole) seasoning and salt in another shallow dish and egg whites in a third shallow dish. Dredge fish in the flour mixture, dip it in egg white and then coat all sides with the ground cornflakes. Place on the prepared wire rack. Coat both sides of the breaded fish with cooking spray. Bake the fish on the upper oven rack until opaque in the center and the breading is golden brown and crisp, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, to make the coleslaw: 1) Add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and celery seed to a mixing bowl. 2) Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together until everything is well combined. 3) Drizzle the dressing over the shredded coleslaw mix and toss until everything is well combined at the cabbage is well coated. Tips Easy cleanup: Recipes that require cooking spray can leave behind a sticky residue that can be hard to clean. To save time and keep your baking sheet looking fresh, line it with a layer of foil before you apply the cooking spray.

Best Chili Recipe

By Liz Gibbs • January 27, 2026
Ingredients ▢2 pounds lean ground beef ▢1 onion diced ▢1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced ▢4 cloves garlic minced ▢2 ½ tablespoons chili powder divided, or to taste ▢1 teaspoon cumin ▢1 green bell pepper seeded and diced ▢14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can ▢19 ounces canned red kidney beans drained and rinsed ▢14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices ▢1 ½ cups beef broth ▢1 cup beer ▢1 tablespoon tomato paste ▢1 tablespoon brown sugar optional ▢salt and black pepper to taste Instructions Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder. In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat. Add in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness. Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favorite toppings. Serving size: 1 1/2 cups Beer can be replaced with extra broth. Any ground meat will work in this recipe. Optional toppings: sour cream, red or green onion, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado & lime wedges, tortilla chips Nutrition Information Calories: 395 | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 1066mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 870IU | Vitamin C: 26.2mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 6.2mg
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