pecan praline cheesecake
A rich and creamy pecan praline cheesecake featuring a buttery graham crust, velvety cream cheese filling, and a warm brown-sugar pecan topping.
8 Servings
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Praline Topping:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Pan and Oven
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
Prepare the Crust
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared springform pan to create an even crust.
Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and free of lumps. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure proper incorporation. Add the vanilla extract and mix once more until fully combined.
Bake the Cheesecake
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the prepared crust, smoothing the surface gently. Bake for 60 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer overly soft. Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Praline Topping
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, and butter. Cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens slightly and the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped pecans until evenly coated.
Top the Cheesecake
- Once the cheesecake has cooled fully, pour the warm praline mixture over the top, spreading it evenly to the edges. Allow the cheesecake to chill in the refrigerator before slicing and serving.
Notes
To make this pecan praline cheesecake gluten-free, replace the graham cracker crumbs with certified gluten-free graham crumbs or gluten-free cookie crumbs of similar texture. Ensure that all additional ingredients—particularly the vanilla extract and brown sugar—are labeled gluten-free. The remainder of the recipe, including the filling and praline topping, is naturally gluten-free.