This Easy Caramel Pecan Cheesecake recipe features a brown sugar flavored cheesecake topped with a decadent caramel pecan sauce! It’s like cheesecake with a pecan pie topping! And there’s no fussy water bath to deal with.
I am SO excited to share this recipe with y’all. It is AMAZING and amazingly easy. Cheesecake recipes can often be fussy with water baths and the like, but this one doesn’t call for any of that.
Y’all I can’t even being to tell you how amazing this is. There are pecans in the crust and on top in that delicious caramel topping. I mean… gracious!
I’ve made this a few times and no one could believe that I actually made it. They all thought I bought it from some bakery. I’d say that’s a pretty good indication that it was good. So, go try it and prove to your family and friends you can make a dessert that’s on-par with the best bakery around. Y’all are seriously gonna love this one!
Do I need to use a water bath to bake my cheesecake?
Water baths are traditional in cheesecake baking as they slow the baking process down, resulting in a slightly different texture and an even top on the cheesecake. Some say the water bath also helps to prevent the cheesecake from cracking.
But hereโs the thingโฆ I HATE the fussiness of a water bath. Like literally abhor it. And even when Iโve used a water bath, Iโve still had cheesecakes crack. So, I skip water baths entirely.
Yes, sometimes cheesecakes crack, but having a delicious topping to use on them covers those cracks right up.
And having a little lip around the edge of the cheesecake is the perfect way to keep all that delicious topping on the cheesecake.
Can you use a water bath with this recipe? Absolutely! Knock yourself out. Just keep in mind that the water bath slows the baking process down so adjustments may need to be made to the cook time.
How can I tell when my cheesecake is done?
Cheesecake is the dessert that’s as rich and complicated as your Aunt Patty’s love life. You know, the one who’s been married five times? Yeah, that Aunt Patty. But fret not, my friend, because making cheesecake doesn’t have to be complicated. Knowing when it’s done is key to avoiding that heartbreaking crack down the middle or that texture that screams, “I needed five more minutes, darling!”
First off, let’s get this out of the way: Don’t trust your oven timer like it’s gospel. Ovens are like snowflakes, no two are the same. Your oven’s 350ยฐF might be another oven’s 325ยฐF. So, timing can be a tricky beast.
Now, for a few telltale signs your cheesecake is ready to leave the oven:
- Jiggly but not Sloshy: When you gently shake the pan, the outer ring of the cheesecake should be firm, but the center should still wobble just a bit, kinda like a waterbed from the ’80s. Don’t worry, that middle will firm up as it cools down, promise.
- Color Matters: You’re looking for a cheesecake that’s slightly puffed and possibly just starting to turn a light golden color, but not browned. Think of it like catching a suntan but avoiding a sunburn.
- Temperature Check: If you’re more of a “trust but verify” type like me, you can stick an instant-read thermometer halfway into the center of the cheesecake, avoiding the crust. Youโre looking for a temperature of about 145ยฐF to 150ยฐF.
- Clean Stabby-Thing Test: You can also insert a thin knife or a skewer into the cheesecake about an inch from the edge. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging for dear life, you’re in business!
Now, once you’re confident your cheesecake is done, let it cool in the oven with the door ajar for about an hour to ease it back to room temperature. This helps to avoid that Grand Canyon-sized crack we talked about earlier.
Recipe Card
Easy Caramel Pecan Cheesecake
Ingredients
- 9 full sheets of graham crackers crushed (about 1 1/2 cups crushed)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
For the topping:
- 2 cups pecan halves
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF. Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, pecans, and butter. Stir well. Pour the mixture evenly into the bottom of the spring-form pan and press firmly to create a crust.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or with a bowl and hand mixer) combine the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla until well combined. Add the eggs and mix well.
- Pour the cheesecake filling onto the crust. Lightly tap the pan on the counter to get out any air bubbles.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the center in almost completely set. Open the oven door and allow the cheesecake to cool for about 1 hour in the oven. Remove and cool completely. Remove the outer ring of the springform pan. Refrigerate overnight to allow the cheesecake to firm up before serving (or at least 3 hours for those impatient folks).
- To make the topping, preheat the oven to 325ยฐF and spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake them for 7 to 10 minutes or until just fragrant. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and heavy cream. Cook until bubbly, then stir in the toasted pecans. Cool to room temperature before pouring over the cooled cheesecake.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Last fall, I had the amazing opportunity to take a trip with the National Pecan Shellers Association to be a part of the pecan harvest in Albany, Georgia. Pecans are something I know. My grandparents have lived in a pecan orchard for my entire life. When I create recipes that involve nuts, I almost always use pecans. They’re easy, versatile, and delicious. And while I admittedly learned a lot about harvesting, processing, and packaging pecans on an enormous scale, the thing that I took away from that trip was a connection to a delightful family named the Willsons. They own Sunnyland Farms in Albany and have been providing the country with the highest quality pecans, candies, and baked goods since 1948. There’s plenty I could say about this amazing family-owned business, but this probably says it better than I can…
Not only can you order THE BEST pecans, but some of the most amazing candies, cakes, and gift baskets you can find anywhere. I can still remember the smell of the candy kitchen when we walked in. Amazing!
All that said, Sunnyland has become a great source for the highest quality pecans. I used them in this cheesecake because despite it being easy, it’s something I wanted to best ingredients for. Now, I’ll admit pecans can be a premium ingredient, but nothing replaces the flavor of pecans. And like I always tell folks, when you’re on a budget, look for recipes that use pecan pieces rather than halves. They’re more affordable and work just the same in most cases. There’s no reason to buy the more expensive halves only to chop them up for your recipe. This recipe calls for halves on the top, because they’re prettier, but I promise you large pieces will work just as well.
This post is sponsored by my friends at Sunnyland Farms, but the thoughts and opinions are all my own – just as always.
Yvonne
I made this cake and it is delicious. I made a few changes adding 1/2 tsp pecan flavor to cake and 3 drops of caramel flavor to the sauce. The only problem had was cutting the cheese cake with pecans atop. The next time I make it, and I sure will, I plan to slice cake first, then cover with pecans and sauce.
Stacey
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! I didn’t even know pecan flavoring existed! Thanks for sharing!
Sally
Very good cheesecake. I made it for Easter dessert. Just a personal preference but I might try to increase the caramel sauce a touch and reduce the pecans by about a quarter cup. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
Stacey
So glad you enjoyed it!
Jill
My husbandโs new favorite. Impressive, but pretty easy to make.
Stacey
So glad he enjoyed it!
LaNett Hall
Easy & absolutely delicious!!
Stacey
Two of my favorite descriptions!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Sandra
This cheesecake is so delicious! I’ve had several people ask me to make them one…not only is it delicious but it’s beautiful! Here’s mine….
Stacey
It’s a beaut! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Stephanie
Thanks for the great recipe and for answering all my questions, Stacey – the cake turned out great! I have a photo of it on my blog if you’d like to see how it turned out ๐ https://stephaniegalt.com/2023/10/01/stackt-market/
Stacey
It’s beautiful! So glad it turned out great for you!
Stephanie
Sorry, one more question! Planning on baking the cheesecake Friday to serve on Saturday evening, and Iโll only have time to make the pecan topping Saturday morning. Would you suggest I pour the cooled topping over the cake then store in the fridge until ready to serve, keep the cake in the fridge and add the topping just before serving, or can the cake be topped and sit at room temp all day? I donโt want the topping to get too hard.
Stacey
I’d suggest making the cheesecake as planned on Friday, then refrigerating. Make the topping on Saturday morning and it should be fine at room temp until ready to serve. If it gets too hard, you can always zap it in the microwave before adding it to the cheesecake when serving. The topping will get hard if refrigerated.
Stephanie
Thank you!
Stacey
You bet! Hope y’all enjoy!
Stephanie
Forgot to ask – because I’m bringing it to a dinner party, I will have to top it 4-5 hours before serving. Will it be ok at room temp for that duration?
Stacey
I think that should be just fine. Y’all enjoy!
Stephanie
What heat level should you cook the pecan topping at? Thanks!
Stacey
It really depends on your particular stove. Medium-high should work to get it bubbling, but you may need to adjust up or down and bit.
Kathy
Hi I won’t to make this cheese cake for my grandson but I don’t have a spring pan and I won’t to use store bought crust will it still work
Stacey
I’m worried that the premade pie crust might not be big enough to hold all the filling, Kathy.
Kathy
Thank you Stacy can I cut the filling down to 2 8 pick of cream cheese
Stacey
I suppose you could half the filling ingredients.
Eileen Morris
Hi Stacey,
I want to make this ahead of time before my company come so can I make and freeze and are there any tips to freeze well
Stacey
I would recommend cooking it completely, then chilling in the fridge overnight. Once chilled, wrap tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, then aluminum foil and freeze. You can allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight and then make the topping right before serving it. Hope that helps!
Kevin
Good cheesecake and I will tell you 45 minutes tops 50 minutes to long
Stacey
It looks great, Kevin! So glad you enjoyed it!
Toya
Do you add all the eggs at the same time. Or 1 egg mix and then the other egg.
Stacey
Adding them one at a time will ensure they get incorporated more evenly, just be sure to not mix it to much.
Janelle
This Caramel Pecan Cheesecake is the best! I have made it for several occasions and everyone has said itโs the best theyโve ever had. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe.
Stacey
You’re so welcome! So glad to hear everyone enjoyed it!
Barbara
This is the most amazing cheesecake, and itโs so easy. Itโs definitely the family favorite! I am taking it to family for Easter. Can I make the topping ahead of time and reheat it when I get there?
Stacey
So glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it! Yes, I think that will work.
Yajaira Arauz
Wow, I made this last night and it was my first time making cheesecake. It was so so good. I was able to read the comments before and I used the Kroger brand Philadelphia cheese, so I made sure that I mixed the ingredients very well before I added the egg and my cheesecake came out so smooth the sauce is amazing and I also added a little more vanilla that was listed on the recipe for the actual cheesecake mix. It came out so good thank you so much is amazing. Wow.
Stacey
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Yajaira!
LaNett Hall
So easy & so incredibly delicious! Iโm so glad I found this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Stacey
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Leslie Rademachir
Delicious
Stacey
Thanks, Leslie!
Mitty
I have a question:
Are you supposed to bake the crust first before adding the filling? Iโve seen this step in other cheesecake recipes?
NaTisha
If add the topping early and the refrigerate, but let it sit out before serving will the topping go back to a softer consistency. I want to take this to a Thanksgiving meal not at my home?
Stacey
Yes, it will soften as it warms up. It might just take a little while. Enjoy!
Stacey
You can, but it’s not required.
Yajaira Arauz
I didnโt I made the crust first and while I let it sit I went ahead and made my mixture and then poured it right in
Carol Rhodes-Rice
Hello, this recipe looks delicious! I’m thinking of making it for Christmas dinner but I try to cut fat as much as I can. Can I use low fat cream cheese? It is a name brand. (I did scan all of the comments to see if anyone else had asked this.)
Stacey
Yes ma’am! Let us know how it turns out!
Joe DiStephano
I want to try to make this recipe but am confused . Do you use Philadelphia cream cheese in this recipe I can’t find the recipe.
Stacey
YEs, you can use Philadelphia cream cheese in this recipe. You should find the printable recipe card toward the bottom of the post.
Nancy E. Stuart
I do not want to step on ant toes. But if you have made the cheesecake ahead of the time needed and the cheesecake is wanting to be eaten. I have used the caramel topping for ice cream instead and it will stay soft even in the refrigerator. This cheesecake is easy to make and everyone loved it
Stacey
Glad to hear everyone enjoy it!
Tony
Hi Stacey, this is the second Ive made this recipie with many complements fro family and guests. Both times I removed the side panel of the Spring form pan after its been in the fridge over night,parts of the cheese cake side stick to the pan. After reading the comments I note that you suggested to remove it once it has cooled at room Temp. There is no mention of this in the instructions. Lastly your pics show a lip to hold in the topping. I,m interested to read how this is done. Im so glad I found this go to recipie for pecan cheese cake . Look forward to reading your reply.
Stacey
Tony, I will update the instructions to include removing the springform sides when cheesecake is completely cooled and before placing in refrigerator. The lip on the cheesecake is a result of the baking method. Sometimes the lip is higher than others. Unfortunately, there is no way to ensure that it always happens.
Ashley
This is the best cheesecake recipe i have come across and now anytime i make one i use this and just mix it up with different toppings and crust! Can i possibly get a recipe using this cheesecake base as a pumpkin cheesecake?
Stacey
So glad to hear that you’ve enjoyed it! I’d love to hear about some of your topping and crust ideas! We’ll have to put our heads together and see what we can come up with in the way of pumpkin… ๐
Sz
Great cheesecake recipe, Chef! Thank you for sharing!
Stacey
Thank you so much!
Wendy N
Yes, this is very simple to make! The topping is outrageously delicious too! The filling came out somewhat chunky, not smooth like traditional cheesecake. What did I do wrong? I thought it might be because of the brown sugar and just a different type of cheesecake? Another thought was, I used generic cream cheese for about half of the cream cheese. Please advise.
Thank you so much!
Wendy
Stacey
I honestly think it might have been the cream cheese. I love generic brands in most cases, but the name brand cream cheese does seem to have a different texture. Next time, if you use the generic, be sure to mix it a bit extra and make sure it’s super smooth before adding the eggs.
Laura
Can I use the caramel sauce you put on ice cream mix it with the pecans and use for topping
Laura
Can I use the caramel sauce you put on ice cream, mix it with the pecans and put on the cheesecake for the topping?
Stacey
Sure!
Melissa
DEFINITELY RECOMMEMD !!! I made this cheesecake for my husband’s family’s Thanksgiving and they told me I could make it every single day for all they care but it was the best cheesecake they ever did eat !!! Thank you so so so so much for the recipe !!! 10/10
Stacey
Awesome! So glad to hear it!
Ayesha Arrine
can you make this ahead of time? by how many days?
Stacey
Yes! I’ve made it 2 to 3 days in advance.
Maria
What an awesome recipe. It was very simple to make. I was worried the crust was not sweet at all but when I tried the finished product I could see why. The topping is so sweet the crust complements it perfectly! It was truly delicious. My husband is a big cheesecake fan and he was impressed. Thank you for sharing! Looking forward trying more of your recipes!
Stacey
Awesome! So glad to hear y’all enjoyed it!
Sharon
This was my first ever cheesecake (Iโm 66 years old). It was delicious and not too difficult. Iโm sure it will get so much easier after Iโve made it several times. And I will definitely make it again. I do think for our taste, I will increase the amount of sauce, decrease (a little) the amount of pecans, and (because the pecan halves I buy are very big) break up the pecans some. But Iโm so pleased with my first cheesecake. Thanks for the easy recipe!
Stacey
Congrats, Sharon! I’m so glad to hear it turned out great for you!
Mark Fisher
So far, do good. Taste test soon. Thanks so much. If we wanted more of a “salted caramel” taste too the topping, do you have a suggestion of how much salt to add when making it???
Stacey
I’d start with about 1/2 teaspoon and you can add more to get to the taste you want.
Mark Fisher
I am planning on making this for a foster youth’s birthday. But she has just informed me that she wants pecan pieces inside the cake and Happy Birthday written on top with drizzled caramel. I’m going to experiment tonight before her birthday next week. Any tips? Should I still toast the pecan pieces (rather than halves)? Thanks so much. She’s been very excited since I told her about this recipe.
Stacey
I think I would certainly toast the pieces before I added them to the batter. When it comes to the writing on the top, it might be harder to get the writing to stay legible with a caramel sauce as it’s probably too loose. Regardless, I know it will be delicious!
Mark Fisher
Thanks so much. I’ll let you know!
Mark Fisher
So far, do good. Taste test soon. Thanks so much. If we wanted more of a “salted caramel” taste too the topping, do you have a suggestion of how much salt to add when making it???
Stacey
I’d start with about 1/2 teaspoon and add more as little at a time to get it to where you’d like it. Enjoy!
George
I am not even that experienced in baking, and this thing turns out INCREDIBLE every single time!
Much love from Athens, Greece!
Stacey
So happy to hear you’ve had luck with this one! Thanks, George!
Samantha
How long will the topping keep? I want to make it in advance, is that possible or is it best to make the day of?
Stacey
You can make the cheesecake in advance, but I’d recommend making the topping fresh.
Priscilla
Can this be frozen till ready to serve?? And then put topping on the thawed cheesecake?
Stacey
Absolutely!
Jane
Personally, I don’t care if the cheesecake cracks. I’m much more interested in eating it than looking at it. I make a cheesecake to die for with a raspberry sauce topping. Stupendously delicious! It cracks EVERY time, so I call it the Grand Canyon cheesecake. No One has ever skipped eating it because it has a crack.
In fact, they say, “That just means I’ll get more sauce!” That’s how I look at it!
My mother baked hundreds of cakes, and she always said the Best ones were the ones that fell or flopped.
I’m looking forward to making your recipe. Hope it cracks lots so the sauce will pool in my piece!
Stacey
I absolutely love that way of looking at things!
Cindy
Hi.
Silly question. When press the graham cracker inside the pan on the bottom, do you press it on the sides of the pan too?
Thanks
Stacey
Not a silly question at all. I typically just press it into the bottom.
Gloria
Hi, what size springform pan should I use for this recipe? Thanks!
Stacey
The recipe calls for a 9-inch springform pan.
Tabitha
Just to clarify… I need to let the cheesecake settle/cool in the fridge overnight before cooking/adding topping?
???? Thanks!
Stacey
Yes, that’s correct.
Anne
Can I freeze this cheesecake?
Stacey
I’ve not tried it, but I don’t see why not.
Shanea
I used dark brown sugar and my cake batter turned brown instead of white. Will it still taste delicious? Also my cake was a little lopsided, and the other one has a crack in the middle. Hiw do I troubleshoot this? Will finish it tomorrow after it sets in the refrigerator.
Stacey
It should taste just fine. The beauty of this recipe is that you’ll cover up that crack with the topping. The other option is to cook it in a water bath to prevent cracking.
Tabitha Mitchell
Can I double the recipe for the topping and it turn out fine?
Stacey
I don’t see why not! ๐ Enjoy!
Angelia
Made it for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Sent some extra home with my mother and she called me, angry because my brother ate it. Looks like I will be making it again for Christmas x3!
Stacey
Ha! So glad EVERYONE enjoyed it!
Tom Adger
Several questions: Are the pecan halves raw, roasted, or roasted with salt? Second, can this cheesecake be made in an Instant Pot? I have made a number of cheesecakes in my IP, and they turned out great. I realize I may have to adjust the quantities to fit into the springform pan I use in the IP.
Stacey
The pecans start raw. I’ve not tried this in the IP, os I can’t say for sure.
Lindsey Ranieri
Can this cake be refrigerated after placing pecans on top? I am bringing it to thanksgiving dinner and need to make it ahead of time.
Stacey
It should be refrigerated, but the caramel will harden up.
Nancy Herring
I love your recipe for the pecan cheesecake. Very easy and less time consuming. I just have one question, after the pecans are added and you have served and have say half left, does the topping get hard after refrigerating?
Stacey
Thanks so much, Nancy! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it so much! The toping does, in fact, get pretty firm in the fridge.
Jen Runyan
I made this as my first ever cheesecake. I don’t know if it is the way it was supposed to be or not. It was good, but my texture almost reminded me of custard instead of cheesecake…maybe I needed to cook it longer. It was delicious though. I also added a splash of black rum to my caramel sauce to make it more of a butter rum flavor. It was a good idea. I toasted my pecans in a toaster oven b/c I just thought it’d be easier to control the temp. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I like it.
Stacey
This makes for a very dense cake, but you might have needed to cook it a bit longer. Regardless, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Noura
I wanted to try and double the recipe for a bigger one but leaving the crust recipe the same. Also, I am using a 10 Inch springform Pan. Do you think it will turn out okay? And, how would I go about the cooking time?
Stacey
I’ve not tried that, so I just can’t say for sure.
Ashley Landry
DO NOT put pecans in the microwave for 3 minutes! Mine caught fire, burnt my plate, burnt my countertops and broke my plate! 1 minute is fine.
Stacey
Did you use whole halves or pieces? Burnt your counters???
Ashley
Some half and whole, I had them in the freezer, because I live in Lousiana and we have pecan trees and keep stashes of them there. I let them get room temp, kinda broke them up and put them in the microwave like she said. And yes, burnt my counter tops because when I pulled the plate out the microwave it was hot and on fire and it burnt my counter in 2 spots, before breaking.
Stacey
Hmmm… Pecan halves are going to take longer to cook than pieces. I would imagine that had something to do with it. The recipe was developed using halves and the pieces maybe cooked too long. Sorry you had trouble.
Melissa
Hello Stacey,
I’ve not made this cheesecake yet, however I was wondering if I could use the recipe to make cheesecake bars or even cupcakes?
Thanks first your time!
Stacey
I think this filling could be used in any of those applications. Enjoy!
Christy
Hello this is our first time making in a spring form pan.the cooking time says 40 to 50 min, so we cooked 50 min
it taste good but it has cracks all in top. do you think we should’ve cooked it longer or you have tips on cooking in spring form pan? Thanks Christy
Stacey
Hi Christy! Yes, cracks are VERY common with cheesecakes. This is why I almost always make toppings for mine that cover up any cracks. The best way to prevent them is cooking them in a water bath, but I find it fussy and a lot of extra work.
Kathy Morrissey
Hi Stacey,
I see you are a Southern cook like myself. Hope it is ok if I share your recipes to my Facebook page KooKie Kathy Cooking Southern Recipes. I think my friends will love to try your recipes. Thanks Kathy M
Stacey
Thanks, Kathy! Feel free to share any links back here to SouthernBite.com that you’d like! ๐
VMariah
Do i need to pre-bake the crust? and also will the cheesecake crack, since it’s being baked without a water bath?
Stacey
No, there’s no need to pre-bake the crust. And yes, the cheesecake may crack, but since we’re covering it with the topping, no one will see it. That’s the beauty of this recipe. It’s super easy and not fussy.
VMariah
Thank you for responding. and yes, it is super easy, most cheesecake recipes also require you to leave it in the oven for an hour after baking. This takes no time at all.
Denise Tarver
My sis in law made this but i dont know if this is where she got recipe from.But I’m gonna try yours. It looks so good.(?) How much brown sugar in batter and how much in toppin to use?. I read comments.said microwave 2 min. Not 3.mins. . well i’ll let u know how it comes out when i make this for Christmas 2018. Thank u Stacy so much..
Stacey
The amounts are in the recipe card above. When it comes to toasting the nuts in the microwave, if you’ve got a super charged one, you might want to start with 2 minutes. You can always add more time.
Taylor
Brought this to my in-laws for thanksgiving and it was an absolute hit! It was my first time making a cheesecake too and Im floored how well it came out and tasted, the recipe was very easy and I’ll for sure be making it again.????????โค
Stacey
Awesome, Taylor! So glad everyone enjoyed it!!
Vmessa
Way too sweet! Use regular sugar in the batter. It was good though, whole family enjoyed but everyone agreed it was stupid sweet. Thanks!
Stacey
Ha! It’s dessert! It’s supposed to be sweet, right?
Tami
Can i use a premade graham pie crust?
Stacey
I’m afraid the filling won’t fit in a crust that size.
Donnie
Can I bake it in a water bath??
Stacey
Of course! Just wrap the pan well with aluminum foil to prevent the water getting in.
Wesley salandich
Which amount of brown sugar goes into cake
Stacey
1 1/4 cups go in the batter, 1/2 cup goes in the topping
Cindy
I donโt have one of those pans, can I just make in a regular pan?
Stacey
You can, but might find it difficult to get the pieces out once sliced.
Cheeseball68
Iโm new too cooking dessert. I tried this and it was delicious… but I could only eat the middle cz the edges were too hard.. I donโt know if I over cooked it or what. Do you remove the springform pan and put it on a cooling rack? Cool to room temp before putting in the fridge?
Stacey
It sounds like it might have been a touch overcooked, but I’m not sure. Allow it to cool on the counter before removing the ring, then cover and refrigerate.
BMJ
Pros: Very easy to make, Absolutely delicious, Looks beautiful before its cut
Cons: Because of all the nuts on top its impossible to cut without squishing the whole thing down and therefore looks very messy once cut.
I am gonna try to make it again doing individual cheesecakes in ramekins to save the problem of cutting and ruining the look!
Stacey
I totally agree. Sometimes I use chopped pecans which make it easier to cut, but the halves are so much prettier. Enjoy!
Amie Anne
I know this is an old post but I just found it! Haha anyway was wondering if it would hurt it at all to cut the cheesecake before putting the pecan topping on to make it easier to serve? Sorry if this sound like a stupid question ????????
Stacey
No, I think that’s a great question AND a great idea!
Maggie Dent
Making this georgeous cheesecake today. I’m so glad I reread the recipe. First time around, I thought I saw 2 8 oz cream cheeses, once my darling husband was at the market getting eggs, i noticed it said 4…8oz cream cheeses..lol. I phoned him and said, “Are you still at the store”? Thankfully he was and went back to the dairy sept and got me 2 more. I’m 62, so my eyes play tricks on me once in a while. I told my darling husband, I make this today, you can eat it tomorrow. His smile turned upside down in a hurry. He’s impatient when it comes to desserts… thank you for sharing this recipe. Merry Christmas!!
Stacey
Merry Christmas, Maggie! I sure hope it turned our great for you!
Karen
Can I pour the sauce and pecans over cheesecake in advance before serving? I’m taking it to a birthday party so I will not be in my own kitchen before serving. Thanks
Stacey
Sure!
Angry
DO NOT MICROWAVE YOUR NUTS FOR “ABOUT” 3MIN.. you will scorch them and they are expensive.. So glad I followed that rather than realize it was wrong.. luckily I caught it at 2 min before they all were lost. We now have chopped pecans as I couldn’t salvage much.. thanks a lot.
Also some of us have never made a caramel sauce which is why were following your stupid recipe from the beginning maybe it would be nice to put a setting for the stove like say oh I don’t know medium-low High what should we do should we scorched the caramel like we did the pecans with your recipe luckily I went to Food Network and found a temperature
Stacey
I’ve done hundreds or maybe even thousands of pecans that way without scorching. Maybe you have a super charged microwave! ๐ Sorry to hear you had trouble. In the future, I’m always happy to answer questions if something’s not clear. But keep in mind, manners will go a long way here. Having them will certainly get you a quicker response.
Brandy
Yeah holy cow no need to be so rude. Iโve tried hundreds of recipes over the last 5 years, some work, some donโt. I donโt hold the recipe written responsible for that.
And what a waste of your time it must have been to have to google what temp to make caramel at. Itโs seems you have absolutely no time to waste, even though you had enough spare time to bake a cheesecake and write a horribly rude review.
Stacey
Thanks, Brandy! ๐
Carol
Good answer..lol! Your recipe looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it!
Que
Yes theres definetley no reason to be rude to this wonderful lady who was gracious enough to share this delicious recipe with us, and she didnt have to, and you have the audadity to get nasty with her, and it seems that your very simple minded if you need that much of a detailed time as to how to cook your pecans, and how high to cook your food, everyones microwave and stove are different, and are adjusted to different temps. That why you should just use your better judgement. And this recipe is decilius and my family, friends and entire work staf totally enjoyed this, Im definetley a fan Stacey, cant wait to try more of you delicious cuisines.
Stacey
Thanks, Que! Glad to hear everyone enjoyed the cheesecake!
Susan
Dear Rude.
No need for such negative comments. Recipes are hit and miss. Iโm an extremely experienced cook and still come across recipes that donโt work out but I donโt blame the person that graciously shared the recipe. Personally I toast my pecans on the stovetop, thatโs my personal preference and they turn out every time. If this recipe didnโt turn out itโs because youโve obviously made a mistake, maybe take some responsibility for that instead of blaming the poster of the recipe.
Good Luck in the kitchen! It sounds like you need it.
Stacey
Thanks so much, Susan!
Julie Pollitt
That is a gorgeous cheesecake. I love the flavors of caramel, pecans, and cheesecake. I am sure it tastes divine.
Stacey
Thanks so much!!
Pamela
Hi, can I use Dulce Le Leche in this somewhere? Ever since Christy (Southern Plate) introduced me to this wonderful stuff I’m like a maniac with a can opener! Best caramel I’ve ever tasted. Please please. I can stick to your recipe because it looks wonderful and since it’s Mardi Gras time here, this will be a welcome addition to the dessert table. Thank you.
Stacey
Sure! I think it would be fine to substitute the caramel in this with a dulce de leche.
Mo
Only have dark brown sugar….hoping that works just as well as light brown sugar.
Stacey
It’ll work! Hope it turns out great!
Mother of 3
Oh my! Does that ever look amazing! I love cheesecake and I love pecans so it’s a win- win for me. Pinned.
Stacey
Thanks so much!!
Jane
This looks awesome! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Stacey
I sure hope you’ll enjoy!!!
Thelmon
O my, this looks delicious. I can taste this now. Thank you for sharing and I love pecan. I put it in everything. Happy holidays
Stacey
Happy Holidays!!
Stephanie from Canada
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. It was delicious yet simple. My family loved it. Being in Canada I substituted Maple Syrup for corn syrup and it turned out great (added slightly more butter to thicken) . I have only made cheesecake a couple of times before and find most recipes complex. I rarely write reviews, but had to let people know how good this is. It was simple and the cake came out delicious and pretty. I got so many compliments from my family. I will definitely make this again for my friends.
Stacey
I’m so glad to hear you found this easy AND tasty!!
D. Athey
Have you ever substituted shortbread cookies for graham cracker crusts? Luscious and doesn’t overpower the cheesecake taste. I have been buying from Sunnyland Farms for several years and I’ve never had a bad product, ask my relatives at Christmas. This cheesecake will be our “special” dessert this year. Love your recipes, do you ever list any lo-carb? Thanks, D
Stacey
Thanks, D! Yes, I love a shortbread crust! And yes, I’m working on some low carb things right now. ๐
Michelle B.
I have made this recipe several times and it always gets rave reviews from family and friends! Highly recommend!!!
Stacey
LOVE hearing that! Thanks, Michelle!
Marielle
Hi there. About to try this and want to be sure the cheese quantity is correct. I use grams so itโs going to be 900grams. Sounds like a huge amount.
Stacey
I’m showing that one 8 oz. package of cream cheese adds up to be about 226 grams.
Arlanda
Where does the caramel come into play for the recipe?
Stacey
You make a caramel topping with the pecans.