Sweet potato pie is expected at Thanksgiving, maybe even… boring? But this year we are shaking things up with another scrumptious way to use those sweet spuds. A cheesecake! Sweet potato adds a nuttiness and earthy sweetness that can take a normal cheesecake to another, more festive level.

Also! For this cake we thought we’d swap the traditional graham cracker crust for one made with gingersnap for a spice-filled, autumnal twist on the classic. Oh, and you’re going to be obsessed with this crumb topping. It’s as fall as a fall dessert can be and unapologetically so. Put down the marshmallows and welcome to crumb heaven. 

If you tried your hand at making this cake, let us know how it came out in the comments below!

YIELDS 6-8 SERVINGS

PREP TIME 40 MINS

TOTAL TIME 6 HR 40 MIN

Ingredients

For Crust

• 10 oz. Gingersnap
• 1/4 tps. kosher salt
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) melted butter

For Cheesecake

• 2 (8-0z) package cream cheese, softened, cut into small pieces
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 6 oz. sour cream, room temperature
• 1/4 c. pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 1/2 c. roasted sweet potatoes, peeled and pureed in the food processor

For Topping

• 3/4 c. lightly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 12 tbsp. (1 1/4 sicks) Melted butter, warm
• 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Make crust: Preheat oven to 350°. Pulse gingersnaps and salt in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Drizzle in melted butter and mix until fully incorporated. Transfer to a 9” spring form pan and press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides.
2. Bake crust until golden brown around edges, about 10 minutes. Let cool until ready to use.
3. Make filling: Reduce oven to 325°. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese on medium high speed until very smooth. Add eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, sour cream, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Continue to mix, scraping down sides as needed until mixture is smooth. Add sweet potato puree and mix until no lumps remain. 
4. Pour cheesecake filling into cooled crust and bake until almost set, about 1 hour.
5. Meanwhile, make the topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together both sugars, cinnamon and salt. Add warm melted butter and stir to combine. Using a fork, mix in flour until a moist mixture forms.
6. Remove cheesecake from oven and sprinkle topping over, squeezing it in your hands to make medium sized clumps. Bake cheesecake until topping is beginning to look golden, and cheesecake no longer jiggles in the middle, about 30 to 35 minutes more. Let cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until well chilled, at least 4 hours.