Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake

FULL ON SEASONAL FLAVOR

Sweet and nutty, this luscious dessert combines the flavors of pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and cheesecake into one decadent dish. “I love the warm, seasonal flavors of earthy pumpkin and toasty nuts during this time of year,” Roomberg says. “They scream holiday.” This recipe calls for a graham cracker and pecan crust, a fluffy pumpkin filling, and a sweet praline topping. Roomberg suggests using  PHILADELPHIA® Original Brick Cream Cheese to keep the filling from falling flat. You can garnish the creamy creation with coarsely chopped pecans for a satisfying crunch.

THE EXPERT SAYS: “The cheesecake filling made with PHILADELPHIA® Cream Cheese is satin-smooth and so rich, while the nuts offer some crunch and seasonal flavor that brings this recipe right into the holidays.” – Allie Roomberg

Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

THE CLASSIC (WITH A TWIST)

This chocolatey take on traditional cheesecake is as beautiful as it is delicious. The crumbly graham cracker crust offers a crunchy contrast to the smooth, PHILADELPHIA® Original Brick Cream Cheese-based vanilla filling. You can swirl dots of melted chocolate over the filling with a spatula, knife, or toothpick to create the impressive marbleized effect, then top the finished cake with fresh raspberries and homemade raspberry sauce for a fruit-forward finish. Roomberg says a creme anglaise sauce or a dollop of orange marmalade would also be tasty.

THE EXPERT SAYS: “In my experience, PHILADELPHIA® Cream Cheese is the best brand to use. The quality is consistently top-notch, the flavor is rich, creamy, and a little tangy, and it holds together so well.” – Allie Roomberg

Pistachio-Walnut Cheesecake

THE FANCY FINISH

A unique crust of spiced shortbread biscuits, pistachios, and walnuts amplifies the flavor of this cheesecake’s sweet and tangy filling, which has lemon and honey. Use room-temperature PHILADELPHIA® Original Brick Cream Cheese in the filling to keep it lump-free—and let the dish cool slowly. “When my cheesecakes are done baking, I leave them in the oven with the door slightly ajar,” Roomberg says. “This way, the sudden temperature change doesn’t cause the cheesecake to crack.” Add a drizzle of honey and a handful of pistachios and walnuts before displaying it in the center of the dining table.

THE EXPERT SAYS: “The contrast of flavors and textures from the smooth PHILADELPHIA® Cream Cheese filling and the crunchy topping brings so much interest to this dessert. And the bright green pistachios are so eye-catching and festive! – Allie Roomberg

YOUR NOT-SO-SECRET BAKING WEAPON

PHILADELPHIA® Original Brick Cream Cheese is made with five simple ingredients, including fresh milk and real cream, for a thick, super-silky texture. It’s the key to creating smooth, creamy cheesecakes every time. “I grew up eating PHILADELPHIA® Cream Cheese,” Roomberg says. “To me, it’s the gold standard.” Take one bite and you’ll know it’s Philly.

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