1cupPumpkin pureeYou will need a half of the pumpkin to make the homemade one.
1tbspFlour
½tspCinnamon
⅓tspGround nutmeg
Shortbread Crust
7ozShortbread cookies
4ozWarm water
Cheesecake Filling
1cupSour cream
11ozCream cheese
5tbspSugar
2tspVanilla Extract
3tbspAll-purpose flour
3Eggs
Instructions
Pumpkin Filling
Cut your pumpkin and clean it from seeds.
Put the pumpkin in the preheated oven for 40 to 55 minutes. The outer side will probably be harder, so it is important to check if it's baked by using the fork and trying to cut into the pumpkin with that fork.
When the pumpkin is baked, peel the pumpkin meat off and place it into a food processor. Mix it until you get a nice puree.
Now add some cinnamon, nutmeg and one tablespoon of flour. Blend these ingredients into the puree, and leave it aside for now.
Shortbread Crust
Place cookies into the food processor and pulse until you get the crumbs. Pour 4 oz of water over the crumbs and stir well.
Push the mixture on the bottom of the pan and bake the crust for 10 minutes in the preheated oven (350 °F). Don't worry if there will be some cracks. That's because this shortbread crust is crumbly and made with water instead of butter.
Cheesecake Filling
Start by putting sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and flour into one bowl, and mix well.
When all the ingredients are blended together, it is time to start adding eggs one by one and whip the mixture each time.
Putting Everything Together
Pour cheesecake filling on the baked crust. Now use a teaspoon to randomly place pumpkin puree in the cheesecake filling.
Baking and Serving
Pumpkin cheesecake bars with shortbread crust are done when you notice a golden surface. So, after 40-45 minutes. Don't overbake it! If the dessert is still jiggly, it means that it is perfectly baked!
Set the dessert aside, leave it to set properly, and don't cut it for at least one hour. To get the best result, leave it in the fridge overnight and serve then.
Notes
Keep the pumpkin cheesecake bars in the fridge and eat them within 4 days.