Description
High-Protein Pumpkin Cheesecake blends creamy pumpkin, rich cream cheese, and vanilla protein powder for a dessert that’s both delicious and nutrient-dense. With a graham cracker crust and spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, this cheesecake is elevated by Greek yogurt for extra protein. Each bite offers a balance of smooth texture and autumnal flavor, making it ideal for healthier celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup protein powder (vanilla)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until combined.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of a springform pan to form the crust.
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add Greek yogurt, vanilla protein powder, and sugar. Beat until well blended.
- Mix in pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until incorporated and smooth.
- Pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust in the springform pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60–70 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are slightly puffed.
- Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before removing it from the pan and slicing to serve.
Notes
For a gluten-free crust, substitute graham crackers with gluten-free cookies. Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream if desired. Always use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother batter. Make ahead by baking the day before—cheesecake stores well in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped, for up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months. If cracks appear, cool slowly and don’t overbeat the eggs. For best results, use a water bath to prevent overbaking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 85mg