Decadent Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Salted Caramel: A Must-Try Fall Dessert

Experience the ultimate autumnal indulgence with this exquisite Sweet Potato Cheesecake, featuring a perfectly spiced, velvety filling crowned with a luscious, homemade salted caramel topping. This show-stopping dessert is not just a treat for the palate but also a visual delight, making it an ideal centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast or any cozy holiday gathering.

This Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Salted Caramel masterfully combines the earthy sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the rich, creamy texture of classic cheesecake. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of warm autumn spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, subtly enhanced by a hint of vanilla, all resting on a perfectly buttery graham cracker crust. The grand finale is a generous drizzle of decadent salted caramel, adding a sublime balance of sweet and savory notes.

Whether you’re hosting a grand Thanksgiving dinner, a festive holiday party, or simply seeking a comforting treat for a chilly fall evening, this dessert is sure to impress and delight everyone. If you’re a devoted fan of sweet potato flavors, be sure to also explore our Sweet Potato Pie Recipe and delightful Sweet Potato Cookies for more seasonal favorites.

Why You’ll Adore This Sweet Potato Cheesecake

• Unforgettably Creamy and Rich Texture: Prepare for a truly luxurious experience. This cheesecake boasts an incredibly smooth, velvety filling, achieved by perfectly pureed sweet potatoes blended into a rich cream cheese base. It melts in your mouth with every forkful.
• Decadent Salted Caramel Topping: The homemade salted caramel is a game-changer. Its deep, caramelized sweetness is beautifully balanced by a hint of sea salt, creating an irresistible counterpoint to the spiced cheesecake. This topping elevates the dessert from simply delicious to truly extraordinary.
• Perfect for Fall and Holiday Celebrations: Infused with classic warm spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, this cheesecake captures the comforting essence of autumn. It’s the quintessential dessert to serve during the fall season, especially for Thanksgiving and other festive holiday gatherings.
• A Show-Stopping Dessert for Any Occasion: With its elegant presentation and impressive flavor profile, this sweet potato cheesecake is guaranteed to be the star of your dessert table. Despite its sophisticated appearance, the recipe is straightforward, making it accessible for home bakers to create a stunning treat.
• Versatile Serving Options: This cheesecake is delicious served chilled straight from the refrigerator, at room temperature to allow the flavors to fully bloom, or even with an extra generous drizzle of warm salted caramel. It’s perfect on its own or paired with a dollop of whipped cream.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cheesecake

For the Buttery Crust

• Graham cracker crumbs: These fine crumbs form the foundation of our cheesecake, providing a delightful sweet, slightly crunchy, and aromatic base that perfectly complements the creamy filling.
• Unsalted butter, melted: Melted butter is crucial for binding the graham cracker crumbs together, creating a firm, rich crust that holds its shape beautifully and adds a depth of flavor.

For the Spiced Sweet Potato Filling

• Full-fat cream cheese, room temperature: The cornerstone of any great cheesecake, full-fat cream cheese ensures an incredibly rich, smooth, and decadent texture. Bringing it to room temperature is key for a lump-free batter.
• Granulated sugar: This provides the perfect level of sweetness, balancing the tang of the cream cheese and enhancing the natural sugars in the sweet potato puree, while creating a tender crumb.
• Eggs: Eggs act as a vital binder for the cheesecake filling, giving it structure and ensuring a smooth, custard-like consistency when baked. They contribute to the overall richness.
• Vanilla extract: A staple in most desserts, vanilla extract deepens and rounds out the flavor profile, adding a warm, aromatic note that enhances all other ingredients.
• Cooked sweet potato purée: The star ingredient, sweet potato purée infuses the cheesecake with its signature natural sweetness, vibrant color, moisture, and unmistakable fall flavor.
• Ground cinnamon: This classic warm spice adds a cozy, aromatic depth that perfectly marries with the sweet potato, invoking quintessential autumn comfort.
• Pumpkin pie spice: A blend of nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, pumpkin pie spice elevates the cheesecake with a complex, festive flavor profile that screams fall.
• Additional sugar (for topping or extra sweetness): A small amount of additional sugar helps to further balance the robust spices and bring out the full sweetness of the sweet potato layer.

For the Homemade Sweet Potato Purée

• Sweet potatoes, peeled and diced: These form the fresh, natural base for our purée. Peeling and dicing them before cooking ensures they cook evenly and quickly for a smooth result.
• Milk (for blending): A touch of milk is added during blending to achieve a perfectly smooth, creamy, and uniform consistency for the sweet potato purée, which is essential for a silky cheesecake.

For the Irresistible Salted Caramel Topping

• Brown sugar, packed: Brown sugar is essential for achieving the rich, deep caramelization and characteristic molasses notes that define our decadent caramel sauce.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream is crucial for creating a luxuriously smooth, pourable, and rich caramel, preventing it from becoming too stiff or grainy.
• Unsalted butter: Butter adds a velvety richness and contributes to the classic buttery flavor and glossy sheen of a perfectly made caramel sauce.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness of the caramel, enhancing its complex flavors, and creating that sought-after “salted caramel” magic.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Adding pumpkin pie spice to the caramel further ties the topping to the cheesecake’s fall theme, infusing it with subtle, warm, and inviting aromatics.
• Pure Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract complements the caramel’s rich notes and adds another layer of warm, sweet aroma, making the topping even more enticing.
• Chopped pecans (for garnish): Optional but highly recommended, chopped pecans provide a delightful textural contrast and a nutty flavor that perfectly complements the creamy cheesecake and sweet caramel.

Exciting Variations to Try

• Gingersnap Crust: For an extra layer of warm, zesty spice, swap out the traditional graham cracker crumbs for crushed gingersnap cookies. Mix them with melted butter to create a robust, flavorful crust that pairs exceptionally well with the sweet potato filling. This adds an even deeper spice dimension.
• Chocolate Swirl: Introduce a sophisticated chocolate element by gently swirling melted dark or semi-sweet chocolate into a portion of the cheesecake filling before baking. The marbled effect is visually stunning, and the rich chocolate provides a delicious contrast to the sweet potato and caramel.
• Maple Caramel: Elevate the autumnal flavors of the salted caramel topping by substituting a portion of the brown sugar with pure maple syrup. This yields a caramel with a distinct, rich maple flavor, perfect for fall holidays.
• Mini Cheesecakes: Transform this recipe into individual servings by baking the cheesecake in a muffin tin lined with paper liners or in mini springform pans. Remember to adjust the baking time significantly for these smaller portions. They are perfect for parties, gift-giving, or portion control.
• Whipped Topping: For an even creamier finish, serve slices of your sweet potato cheesecake with a generous dollop of Homemade Whipped Cream or a spoonful of luxurious mascarpone cheese. This adds a light, airy contrast to the dense cheesecake.

Detailed Step-By-Step Baking Instructions

• Step 1: Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). Ensure the oven rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
• Step 2: Prepare a 9-inch springform pan by generously spraying the bottom and sides with non-stick cooking spray. This will help prevent sticking and ensure easy release.

Step 3: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine your peeled and diced sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the bowl and microwave on high for 4–5 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are thoroughly tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 4: Carefully drain any excess liquid from the cooked sweet potatoes. Transfer the tender sweet potatoes to a blender or food processor, then add ⅓ cup of milk. This will help create a perfectly smooth puree.

Step 5: Blend the sweet potato and milk mixture until it is completely smooth and free of any lumps. Set the purée aside to cool slightly while you prepare the crust and filling.

Step 6: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and the melted unsalted butter. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are evenly moistened and resemble wet sand.

Step 7: Transfer the crumb mixture into the prepared springform pan. Using the back of a spoon or your fingers, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan and slightly up the sides to form a sturdy crust. Place the crust in the freezer to firm up while you prepare the cheesecake filling.

Step 8: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the room-temperature cream cheese, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and free of any lumps.

Step 9: Once the cream cheese mixture is smooth, add the eggs one at a time. Mix gently on low speed after each addition, just until the egg is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as too much air can cause cracks.

Step 10: In a separate bowl, combine the cooled sweet potato purée, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar. Stir these ingredients together until they are well combined and fragrant.

Step 11: Take 1 cup of the plain cheesecake filling and gently fold it into the spiced sweet potato mixture. Continue mixing until the sweet potato cheesecake portion is smooth and evenly colored.

Step 12: Retrieve the crust from the freezer. To prepare for the water bath, tightly wrap the outside of the springform pan with two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. This is crucial for preventing water from seeping into the cheesecake during baking.

Step 13: Place the foil-wrapped springform pan into a larger roasting pan. Carefully pour hot water into the roasting pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. This water bath creates a moist, even baking environment, essential for a crack-free cheesecake.

Step 14: Gently pour the sweet potato cheesecake mixture evenly over the chilled graham cracker crust in the springform pan. Ensure it forms a smooth, consistent layer.

Step 15: Carefully pour the remaining plain cheesecake batter on top of the sweet potato layer. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the two layers together, creating a beautiful marbled effect. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until the edges are set but the very center still has a slight jiggle. Once baked, turn off the oven and crack the oven door open, allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly inside for 30 minutes. This gradual cooling is essential for preventing cracks.

Step 16: After cooling in the oven, carefully remove the cheesecake from the water bath, unwrap the aluminum foil, and let it cool completely at room temperature for an additional 30–40 minutes. For best results and to allow the cheesecake to fully set, refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or ideally, overnight, before serving.

Step 17: While the cheesecake chills, prepare the salted caramel sauce. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the brown sugar, heavy cream, unsalted butter, salt, and pumpkin pie spice over medium-low heat. Whisk gently and continuously for 5–7 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken and begin bubbling. Stir in the vanilla extract and cook for another 2 minutes to fully incorporate.

Step 18: Once the caramel sauce reaches your desired consistency (it will thicken further as it cools), remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before transferring it to a jar or airtight container. Ensure the sauce is completely cool before drizzling it over the cheesecake.

Step 19: When you are ready to serve, take the chilled cheesecake out of the refrigerator. Generously pour the completely cooled salted caramel sauce over the top. If desired, sprinkle with chopped pecans for added crunch and flavor.

Step 20: Carefully slice the cheesecake into desired portions using a sharp, warm knife. Clean the knife between each slice for the cleanest cuts. Serve immediately and enjoy this spectacular fall dessert!

Tips for Storing Your Cheesecake

Proper storage is essential to maintain the freshness and exquisite taste of your Sweet Potato Cheesecake. Here’s how to keep it at its best:

Refrigerator: To store your cheesecake in the refrigerator, ensure it is completely cooled. Place it in an airtight container or cover it tightly with several layers of plastic wrap. When stored correctly, the cheesecake will remain fresh and delicious for up to 4–5 days. For optimal flavor and texture, allow individual slices to sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Freezing: This sweet potato cheesecake freezes exceptionally well, making it a great make-ahead option. Once the cheesecake is fully cooled and set, wrap it tightly first in plastic wrap, then in a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. You can freeze the entire cheesecake or individual slices, which makes for easier portioning later. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw the cheesecake overnight in the refrigerator before unwrapping and adding any toppings.

Topping: For the freshest taste and best presentation, it’s always recommended to add the salted caramel topping (and pecans, if using) just before you plan to serve the cheesecake. This prevents the caramel from soaking too deeply into the cheesecake or altering its texture over time.

Sliced portions: For utmost convenience in both serving and storage, consider slicing the cheesecake before you refrigerate or freeze it. This way, you can easily grab a single slice whenever a craving strikes, without having to defrost the entire cake.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfection

• Always Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese: Opting for full-fat cream cheese is non-negotiable for a truly rich, dense, and luxuriously creamy cheesecake. Low-fat alternatives can result in a drier texture and a less satisfying mouthfeel.
• Ensure Room Temperature Ingredients: For a flawlessly smooth, lump-free filling, it’s crucial that your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to blend together seamlessly without overmixing.
• Cook Sweet Potatoes Thoroughly: When preparing the sweet potato purée, make sure the potatoes are cooked until they are exceptionally soft. This ensures a silky-smooth purée, which translates to a beautifully smooth cheesecake filling.
• Avoid Overmixing the Batter: After adding the eggs, mix the cheesecake batter just until combined. Overmixing incorporates too much air, which can cause the cheesecake to puff up excessively during baking and then crack as it cools.
• Cool the Cheesecake Gradually: Sudden temperature changes are the enemy of a perfect cheesecake. Allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly in the oven with the door ajar, and then gradually at room temperature, is paramount for preventing unsightly cracks on the surface.
• Add Caramel and Nuts Just Before Serving: To maintain the freshness and visual appeal of your toppings, drizzle the salted caramel and sprinkle chopped nuts only moments before you plan to serve. This prevents the caramel from being fully absorbed and keeps the nuts delightfully crunchy.
• Utilize a Water Bath (Bain-Marie): Baking your cheesecake in a water bath is a professional trick that yields incredible results. The gentle, moist heat from the water bath ensures a slow, even bake, resulting in a wonderfully smooth, creamy texture and significantly reduces the likelihood of cracks.

More Indulgent Cheesecake Recipes

• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Banana Cream Cheesecake
• S’mores Cheesecake
• Honey Bun Cheesecake
• Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake

Don’t miss out on the rich, creamy goodness of this Sweet Potato Cheesecake with its irresistible salted caramel. It’s truly a dessert experience to savor. Bake it today and remember to share your thoughts and how your creation turned out in the comments below! Your feedback helps other bakers on their culinary journey.