Ingredients
**For the Graham Cracker Crust:**
- – 14 full sheets of graham crackers (about 1 3/4 cups crushed)
- – 1/2 cup (1 stick unsalted butter, melted)
- – 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
**For the Pumpkin Cheesecake:**
- – 3 packages (24 ounces cream cheese, softened)
- – 1 cup granulated sugar
- – 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- – 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- – 1/4 cup sour cream
- – 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- – 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- – 3 large eggs
**For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:**
- – 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter)
- – 6 ounces cream cheese (cold)
- – 2 cups powdered sugar
- – 1/4-1/2 cup salted caramel sauce (optional)
- – Chopped pecans for sprinkling (optional)
- – Extra pumpkin pie spice for dusting (optional)
Instructions
**For the Graham Cracker Crust:**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
- Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor.
- Mix the crumbs with melted butter and brown sugar until combined.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Let it cool while you prepare the cheesecake filling.
**For the Pumpkin Cheesecake:**
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Add pumpkin puree, sour cream, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until combined.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until just combined.
- Pour the batter over the cooled crust and bake for 42-45 minutes until the center is slightly jiggly.
- Let the cheesecake cool completely, then chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours.
**For the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:**
- In a pot, melt the butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
- Let the browned butter cool until solid but still soft.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the brown butter until pale and fluffy.
- Add cold cream cheese and beat until combined.
- Sift in powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
**Assembling the Cheesecake Bars:**
- Carefully lift the cheesecake out of the pan using the parchment paper.
- Spread the frosting over the cheesecake and swirl with a spoon.
- Drizzle with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with chopped pecans and extra pumpkin pie spice if desired.
- Cut into squares using a hot knife for clean slices.
- Now, enjoy these irresistible pumpkin cheesecake bars with your loved ones!