These mini pumpkin pie cheesecakes consist of creamy pumpkin pie flavored cheesecake on a gingersnap-crumb crust. These are an easy, no-bake fall-time treat that would be perfect to serve as a Thanksgiving dessert (and it's great for kids!)! Be sure to check out the how-to video!
In food processor, pulse cookies until mostly crumbled. Add butter and pulse until completely blended (fine crumbs).
2 Tablespoons butter, 15 Gingersnap cookies
Using a small spoon, gently pack about 1 ½ teaspoons of the crumbled cookiemixture into the bottom of each shot glass (30 shot glasses total). Reserve any extra crumbs to sprinkle on top.
You will need 30 disposable 2 oz shot glasses
Whipped Cream
Combine heavy cream, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until mixture is thick and billowy and stiff peaks have formed (I demonstrate this in my video above).
3 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Divide whipped cream in half (approximate is fine), you will need half for the filling and half for the topping. Set both aside for now.
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Layer
Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat together cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and brown sugar until mixture is smooth and well-combined.
16 oz cream cheese, 1 cup canned pumpkin puree, 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
Gradually stir in powdered sugar until combined.
2 cups powdered sugar
Add in pumpkin spice and vanilla extract and stir well.
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Take one half of your reserved whipped cream and carefully fold it into the pumpkin mixture until smooth. You could do this with an electric mixer on low speed but I usually do this part by hand.
Pipe³ filling into prepared shot glasses, filling nearly to the brim.
Pipe or dollop your remaining half of whipped cream evenly overtop the dessert shooters. If you reserved any cookie crumbs, sprinkle these over the whipped cream for decoration if desired. While these desserts may be served immediately, the filling will be quite soft and I recommend chilling in the refrigerator in an airtight container for at least 4 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
¹Crust
You may substitute a graham cracker crust instead. Stir together ¾ cup (85g) graham cracker crumbs and 3 Tablespoons butter, and use that instead.
²Whipped cream
To substitute storebought whipped topping (often Cool Whip) you will need 24 oz (680g) thawed whipped topping. Half will go into the pumpkin mixture and half will be piped on top. Omit all of the "Whipped Cream" ingredients/steps for in the recipe.
³Piping
I like to use a large piping bag with a large open tip, but a large ziploc bag with a corner snipped off will work just as well. To pipe the whipped cream on top I like to use a Wilton 2D tip but you could just dollop the whipped cream on top with a spoon instead!
Storing
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or you may freeze for several months.