If you’re mixing this in a food processor, cold cream cheese is fine. If you’re using a handmixer or stand mixer, it’s best to have the cream cheese softened at room temperature first.
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (45 grams) cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup (100 grams) light brown sugar
- 1 pound cream cheese (2 8-ounce/227-gram packages) (see Note)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups canned pumpkin puree (less than a 15-ounce/425-gram can)
In a food processor: In the work bowl, blend the granulated sugar, cornstarch, salt, and spices to combine. Cut the cold cream cheese into large chunks and add to the sugar mixture along with the brown sugar. Blend until completely combined and the cream cheese is soft, scraping down the bowl once or twice. Add eggs, one at a time, and blend to combine then scrape down the sides of the workbowl (yes, each time). Add the pumpkin and blend to evenly combine.
With a handmixer: Combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, salt, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Add softened cream cheese and brown sugar and beat to combine, scraping down the bowl a few times as you do to make sure there’s no unmixed cream cheese. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the bowl between each. Add the pumpkin and beat to evenly combine.
Both methods: Pour into the prepared pan, making sure it all lands inside the parchment paper sling. Transfer to the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until puffed, bronzed, and moderately jiggly when the pan is shimmied. If you’d like more color on top, you can run it under your oven’s broiler for 2 to 3 minutes at the end.
To finish and serve: Transfer pan to a cooling rack and cool at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours or transfer to the fridge and cool for one hour. Pumpkin basque cheesecake can be served cool or at room temperature; the latter is traditional but both are delicious.
Use parchment paper to lift and remove cheesecake from the loaf pan and transfer to a plate. Cut into 1-inch slices.
Do ahead: Basque pumpkin cheesecake keeps in the fridge for 5 days, although it would be unprecedented.
