Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bars

Try this pumpkin cheesecake swirl bar recipe with McCormick pumpkin pie spice and take pumpkin pie season to a whole new level!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)

For the Swirl:

• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease or line a baking pan (8x8 inches or similar size) with parchment paper.

For the Crust:

1. Prepare Crust:
   • In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
2. Bake:
   • Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling:

1. Prepare Cheesecake Filling:
   • In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
   • Add sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice. Mix until well combined and smooth.

For the Swirl:

1. Prepare Swirl Mixture:
   • In a small bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, and pumpkin spice to create the swirl mixture.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Layer and Swirl:
   • Pour the pumpkin cheesecake filling over the baked crust.
   • Dollop spoonfuls of the swirl mixture on top of the cheesecake filling.
   • Use a knife to swirl the pumpkin mixture into the cheesecake filling, creating a marbled effect.
2. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the center is set.
3. Cool and Chill:
   • Allow the bars to cool in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight for the best texture.
4. Slice and Serve:
   • Once chilled, slice into bars and serve.