Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bars

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars combine seasonal flavors to make the best pumpkin dessert. A gorgeous, smooth pumpkin cheesecake layer bakes on top of a dense, rich brownie base. Speckled with chocolate chips, these decadent cheesecake brownies are the perfect autumnal dessert. Makes 12 bars.

Love fall desserts? Don’t miss out on Spiced Apple Upside Down Cake with Bourbon Caramel GlazeSpiced Pumpkin Sugar Cookies and Orange Cranberry Bars!

A sliced Pumpkin Cheesecake Bar on a wooden board with other bars

October is the perfect time for all kinds of pumpkin flavors, sweet and savory.

Who doesn’t love a fresh take on a pumpkin dish this time of year? When the temperatures begin to dip, I know I love something pumpkin-flavored!

Why I love this recipe:

So. Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies…

These beauties started out as a seasonal take on my wonderfully delicious and addictive Ooey Gooey Bars. A twist on a classic cheesecake bar, if you will.

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    Then they turned into something entirely different as they baked, forming a gorgeously smooth pumpkin cheesecake on top of a dense, rich dark chocolate brownie.

    The chocolate is intense in the brownie bar, and the pumpkin cheesecake has an awesome, creamy texture with robust pumpkin flavor.

    The end result is a decadent, rich Pumpkin Cheesecake Bar that’s perfect for this time of year.

    Oh, and it can be eaten warm or cold.

    I recommend letting them cool completely before slicing into them. However, if you want to try them warm, put a slice on a plate and microwave for 15-30 seconds until just warmed through.

    No matter how you serve these bars or when, you’re in for a total treat.

    Other dessert bar recipes we adore: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars | Cream Cheese Brownies | Cranberry Crumb Bars | Pumpkin Blondies with a Caramel Cream Cheese Swirl | Bourbon Pecan Brownies

    Looking for a fall recipe, but need some inspiration? My Fall Recipe Index has a lot of ideas for you!

    Ingredients to make Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bars in bowls on a marble surface with a white and orange striped towel

    What you’ll need to make this recipe:

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    Let’s talk ingredients!

    In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

    Here’s what you need:

    • Bittersweet baking chocolate bars — these serve as the base for the brownies, and we want the chocolate to be rich and intense
    • Milk or semisweet chocolate chips — to balance out that bittersweet chocolate without making our brownie base too sweet
    • Unsalted butter — you’ll need a full stick of this between the brownie base and the cheesecake topping.
    • Eggs — these give structure to our brownies (and give them that awesome brownie texture we all know and love), as well as structure to the cheesecake. There is no substitute.
    • Granulated sugar — also known as white sugar, this is the sweetener we use for the brownie base. There is no substitute.
    • Vanilla extract — if you’ve got the pure kind, use that! It adds depth of flavor to the brownie.
    • All-purpose flour — I prefer unbleached flour, but you can use regular AP if you’ve got that!
    • Kosher salt — I use a medium-grain salt, so if you’ve got a finer grain salt (whether it’s kosher, sea salt or table salt), you need to add a little less, so your bars don’t get too salty.
    • Cream cheese — while I’m sure you could use the reduced fat version, I highly recommend using the classic for the ultimate cheesecake creaminess and flavor.
    • Pumpkin puree — not the pre-seasoned, sweetened pumpkin pie filling
    • Powdered sugar — this is the sweetener we use in the cheesecake topping, and I love it because it’s light and fluffy, so it blends in easily.
    • Ground cinnamon — we just need a little bit to make the pumpkin sing! Alternately, you could use the same amount of pumpkin pie spice if you love it.
    • Dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate chips — for another touch of chocolate on top of the bars!

    Unlike a lot of cheesecake bars, this recipe doesn’t call for graham cracker crumbs (because brownie is our base, not a graham cracker crust), sour cream or whipped cream.

    How to make these Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bars

    First and foremost, preheat your oven.

    Line your 9×13″ baking dish with parchment paper, and spritz it with a nonstick cooking spray. 

    This part is important because we want to ensure the cheesecake brownies don’t stick to the pan.

    Make the Brownie Base

    Melt the chocolate and butter in a medium-sized bowl. Measure out the chocolates and butter. Heat in the microwave in 10-15 second increments. Stir after each turn.

    Did you know

    It’s important to heat the chocolate and butter in short bursts of time. If you microwave this mixture for a long period of time, you run the risk of burning your chocolate, which is heartbreaking… and it also smells terrible.

    Mix the “wet” ingredients. Crack the eggs in another large bowl. Add the sugar and vanilla. Use a hand mixer to beat these ingredients until creamy and light.

    It’ll take 2-3 minutes, depending on how fast you’re running your hand mixer.

    Temper the egg mixture if the chocolate is still hot.

    How to temper

    Add a little bit of the chocolate to the egg mixture. Stir it quickly to warm up the eggs slightly without cooking them. Then pour the rest of the chocolate into the egg mixture. Stir with a rubber spatula until combined. 

    Add the dry ingredients. Measure in the flour and salt, and use the mixers to beat until combined.

    Pour the brownie base into the prepared pan. Use a rubber spatula to spread it out into an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

    The brownie batter will be thick, but not so thick that you can’t spread it in the pan.

    Make the Cheesecake Filling

    Mix the base. In another bowl, mix the cream cheese and pumpkin using the hand mixer. You’ll mix until it’s fluffy and a beautiful orange color. It needs to be well-combined.

    Add eggs to the pumpkin mixture. Mix until combined. Then drizzle in the melted butter, and mix until smooth.


    Sweeten the mixture. Measure in the cinnamon and powdered sugar. Use the hand mixer on the lowest setting to ensure the powdered sugar doesn’t fly out all over the place, and mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.

    Pour the cheesecake batter on top of the brownie base. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top of the cheesecake layer, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

    Close up of raw Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with chocolate chips on top before baking

    Bake the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

    Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set.

    This means it’s no longer liquidy. It will have a slight jiggle, but it should hold together as you move the pan.

    Once the brownie bars are baked through, let them cool and then slice into individual bars.

    Pro tip!

    If you wait for the cheesecake to cool, the slicing and sharing process will be easier because the bars won’t fall apart.

    How to store

    Once cooled and sliced, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

    I do not freeze pumpkin bars (with this cheesecake layer) because the texture will change.

    Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bars on a wooden tray after baking and before slicing

    Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

    These Pumpkin Bars with a Brownie Base would be a fabulous treat for a Halloween party or any fall gathering!

    Here are some ways I’d prepare to share these:

    • Make the bars early. Since they keep well in the fridge, make them at your leisure a day in advance, and keep ’em cold until it’s serving time.
    • Make two batches. If you’re serving a LOT of people, having two trays of these bars might be a good idea. 🙂 Also, you can send extras home with friends.
    • Swap out the chocolate chips. If you like milk chocolate better, use that!
    A bitten into Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bars being held in hand above the rest of the bars

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use a different type of chocolate chip in these Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars?

    Yes. While I prefer dark chocolate in my desserts, I know that’s not everyone’s favorite. You can use bittersweet or even semisweet chocolate chips in the place of the dark chocolate chips called for in this recipe.

    How do I store these cheesecake brownies?

    Since these Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars have a lot of dairy in them, we must refrigerate them! When they’re completely cool, layer them in a food-safe storage container, and stash them in the fridge for 4-5 days.

    Is pumpkin pie filling the same as pumpkin puree?

    No. Pumpkin pie filling is already spiced and sweetened. This recipe calls for pumpkin PUREE.

    Five plates holding slices of Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars near a wooden platter of the rest of the brownie bars with a white and orange striped towel

    Quick tips and tricks for Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

    • Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature! This will make the process faster and also smoother. Also, cream cheese doesn’t blend nearly as easily if it’s cold.
    • Go with your gut on the chocolate! If you’re more of a semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chip person, please feel free to use those in place of the dark chocolate chips, as these brownie bars might come across as more bitter to you if you like sweeter chocolate.
    • Store ’em in the fridge. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before slicing and packaging them up!
    • Share ’em with a crowd! This is a fabulous fall gathering dessert because they can and should be made in advance.

    More pumpkin desserts we love:

    Here’s how you can make these beauts:

    A sliced Pumpkin Cheesecake Bar on a wooden board with other bars
    Yield: 12 large squares

    Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownie Bars

    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Cooling Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

    Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars combine seasonal flavors to make the best pumpkin dessert. A gorgeous, smooth pumpkin cheesecake layer bakes on top of a dense, rich brownie base. Speckled with chocolate chips, these decadent cheesecake brownies are the perfect autumnal dessert.

    Ingredients

    Brownie Base

    • 4 oz. bittersweet baking chocolate (70% cocoa)
    • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 eggs
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

    Pumpkin Cheesecake

    • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
    • 1 cup pumpkin puree
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
    • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ cup dark or bittersweet chocolate chips

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13" baking dish with parchment paper, and spritz with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.

    Make the Brownie Base

    1. Measure the baking chocolate, chocolate chips and butter into a medium-sized glass bowl. Heat in the microwave for 10-15 second increments to melt, stirring after each round of heating, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Set aside.
    2. In another (large) bowl, add the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Using a hand mixer, beat until the mixture is creamy and light. If the chocolate mixture is still hot, add a drizzle of it to the egg mixture to temper the eggs, and stir vigorously. Once tempered, pour the rest of the chocolate into the egg mixture, mixing until combined.
    3. Measure in the flour and salt, and using the hand mixer, mix until combined. It will be dense.
    4. Pour the brownie base mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread with a rubber spatula until an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

    Make the Pumpkin Cheesecake

    1. In another bowl, blend the cream cheese and pumpkin together using the hand mixer. Mix until light and fluffy.
    2. Add the eggs, mixing until combined. Drizzle in the slightly cooled, melted butter, and stir until incorporated.
    3. When the mixture is smooth, measure in the cinnamon and powdered sugar, mixing on the lowest setting until the ingredients are well-mixed.
    4. Pour this cheesecake layer on top of the brownie mixture in the pan.
    5. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of cheesecake layer. Sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
    6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set.
    7. Let cool for 30 minutes, then slice into individual bars and enjoy warm or cold!

    Notes

    A note on chocolate: You can easily use bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips in this recipe if dark chocolate chips aren't your jam.

    To store these cheesecake bars, place the completely cooled bars in a covered food storage container and store in the fridge for a few days.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    12 bars

    Serving Size:

    1 bar

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 496Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 171mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 4gSugar: 35gProtein: 9g

    Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

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    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    19 Comments

    1. These look amazing! I will definitely shoot you an email next time I am in your part of Texas 🙂 You bring the baked goods, I’ll bring the coffee lol Happy Friday 🙂

    2. I’m obsessed with everything pumpkin!! These sound amazing and perfect for fall gatherings! Thanks for sharing!

    3. These guys sound so good! And I would also get to eat them all myself, since I am the only cheesecake-eater in our household. I think I may have just talked myself into making some!

      1. You win, lady! I had to share this pan with my husband, which, honestly, was more than enough for both of us… but the thought of having it to myself sounds crazy tempting! If you give these a shot, I’d love to know what you think!

    4. Gorgeous layers… what a delicious idea Erin! And as for comfort food? ALWAYS ready. Particularly as the weather cools down, I’m all for some delicious indulgence! I’ve never tried pumpkin and chocolate before but after trying a few sweet spiced pumpkin things I am up for the challenge! xx

      1. Thanks, sweet Laura! Comfort food is absolutely the best, especially when the days draw shorter and the weather grows chilly. You should absolutely give the chocolate and pumpkin combination a shot when you’re experiencing some fall weather in Australia! It’s quite wonderful!

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