Confession. I’m a giant bookworm. It’s a condition that dates back to my early childhood. My parents have time-lapse video from Christmases long past where I don’t move from the same armchair for over 10 hours. I’m a constant figure as the room buzzes with holiday activity around me. Motionless, except the occasional turning of a page. My favorite place to be is completely engrossed in a great novel, oblivious to the world passing me by. As such, it’s no great surprise that I’ve always wanted to host a book club. I was recently given the opportunity to start one with friends, and I jumped at the chance. Books and my best gals? Win-win. Bonus prizes for me include the excuse to use my grandmother’s dainty teacups, and making delicious treats for my guests. I began with this amazing cranberry upside down coffeecake.
Happy National Cheesecake Day
Did you hear? It’s today! Whoever thought up such a holiday should be sainted. What a brilliant idea. I absolutely adore cheesecake. I usually reserve it for very special occasions because I cannot resist it. Can NOT. I’ll eat enough to make myself totally sick. It’s just too delicious. Maybe you don’t have the cheesecake sickness like I do and can make it more often without weighing 1000 pounds. I’m so jealous of your self control. I dug into the Bakerlady vault and found few of my favorite recipes to help you celebrate! Enjoy!
Pumpkin Cheesecake
My favorite to make for Thanksgiving with my family. A perfect pumpkin pie-y taste with a cool creamy topping and a gingersnap crust.
Lemon Cheesecake
The most delicious cheesecake ever. Straight out of Bon Appetit magazine (circa 1989). Light lemon cheesecake with a gorgeous lemon curd swirled thru the top!
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
A no bake cheesecake with a chocolate cookie crust and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top.
Mini Cheesecakes
Perfect for parties, and having a little bite of my favorite dessert. Adorable mini cheesecakes with all your favorite flavor including a mini graham cracker crust, topped with your favorite pie filling.
Perfect Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Cheesecake
I know pumpkin pie is traditional for Thanksgiving, but every year I make this divine pumpkin cheesecake instead for our intimate family dinner. By “intimate”, I mean we only invite my mom’s immediate family, and their immediate families. Which comes to between 40 and 50 people. This year I believe the magic number is 45. We would have topped the big 5-0 if it weren’t for my sister going to her in-laws…and taking her “plus 6” with her. We watch football and enjoy each other’s company for a few hours while the dinner fixin’s get situated on many many many tables. And then we sit. It’s pretty much just like a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Except we generally eat a lot better than toast and popcorn.

Thanksgiving Table
Pumpkin Cheesecake
I make this cheesecake every year at Thanksgiving. Actually, I think I might be un-invited to Thanksgiving if I didn’t bring this. It is a perfectly spiced, creamy filling surrounded by delicious graham cracker crust and the sour cream topping just puts it over the top.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 2/3 cup NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F.
- COMBINE graham cracker crumbs, butter and granulated sugar in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
- BEAT cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and evaporated milk. Add cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg; beat well. Pour into crust.
- BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves very slightly.
- COMBINE sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of springform pan.