An annual autumn release from the Bakehouse
A couple of years ago, The Kitchn wrote that pumpkin cheesecake is “the best Thanksgiving dessert … a mash-up of classic pumpkin pie and creamy New York–style cheesecake.” And since October 21 is National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day, I figured I’d give you a bit of a heads-up! Better still, I can say with confidence that the Bakehouse pastry crew will be making our super tasty Pumpkin Cheesecake every day for the rest of the month. Its annual arrival seems to catch me culinarily off guard every year, but always in the most wonderful way. I love its complex, compelling flavors—and for folks who adore pumpkin spice lattes, I’ll forecast that you may have just found your new favorite dessert!
Over the past few years, I’ve come to believe that the Pumpkin Cheesecake might indeed be one of the very best baked goods we produce here. What makes it so good? Each ingredient! The “custard” is made from Zingerman’s handcrafted, artisan Farm Cheese combined with pumpkin purée. It’s baked in a crust consisting of ground-up bits of one of my favorite Bakehouse cookies: the amazing Ginger Jump-Ups. The creaminess of the cheese, the earthiness of the pumpkin, and the spicy zip of the ginger crust can’t be beat! It’s all a study in contrasts: sweet and slightly savory from the cheese, light and substantial at the same time, with a creamy filling set against the crumbly cookie crust. Once you taste it, it’s hard to stop eating it.
If you want to embellish the natural excellence of the Pumpkin Cheesecake, you can do a sort of deconstructed pumpkin latte by sprinkling some finely ground coffee beans on top. Similarly, dark chocolate shavings are delicious, and I also think it’s great with freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper sprinkled on.
Our Pumpkin Cheesecake has gradually and rightfully begun to win an ever-larger legion of loyal fans. As Brad Hedeman, longtime marketer at Mail Order, writes, “The result is redolent with the rich spices of fall, yet light and fluffy like the classic cheesecakes we love. It’s so good, once you taste it, you may not even want a pie on your Thanksgiving table.” Nearly everyone who eats this awesome cheesecake is in awe of how terrific it is, so try some soon!
You can order the Pumpkin Cheesecake by the slice today to eat for dessert tomorrow, or buy a whole cake (or three) to serve during the holidays. No need to wait for Halloween or Thanksgiving—it’s here now!
Available at the Bakeshop, Deli, and Roadhouse, and online from Mail Order.