A rich and decadent fall dessert with creamy cheesecake swirls, gooey chocolate chips, and warm pumpkin spice flavor.
The Ultimate Fall Dessert Recipe
If you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin dessert for fall, this Chocolate Cheesecake Pumpkin Swirl Cake checks all the boxes. It’s moist, rich, and swirled with a luscious chocolate cheesecake layer that melts into the spiced pumpkin cake batter. It’s easy to make, impossible to resist, and ideal for everything from Thanksgiving gatherings to cozy autumn nights.
Whether you call it a pumpkin swirl cheesecake bar, a pumpkin chocolate chip cake, or a cheesecake swirl traybake, one thing’s for sure—this crowd-pleaser will disappear fast!
Servings: 4–8 | 🕒 Prep Time: 15 mins | 🍰 Bake Time: 25–30 mins
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Cake Layer:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 ½ cups granulated sugar
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2 tsp baking powder
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2 tsp ground cinnamon
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1 tsp baking soda
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½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
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½ tsp salt
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1 (15 oz) can pumpkin purée
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4 large eggs
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1 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
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1 cup dark chocolate chips
For the Chocolate Cheesecake Swirl:
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1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
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⅓ cup sugar
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1 egg
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1 tbsp milk
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½ cup dark chocolate chips (melted)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10-inch baking pan or cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease for easy cleanup.
2. Make the Pumpkin Cake Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt.
Add in the pumpkin purée, eggs, and oil, mixing until smooth and well combined.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
3. Prepare the Chocolate Cheesecake Filling
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt ½ cup of chocolate chips in 30-second intervals until smooth.
In another bowl, beat the cream cheese with ⅓ cup sugar until creamy. Mix in 1 egg, milk, and the melted chocolate until fully combined.
4. Create the Swirl
Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake mixture over the pumpkin batter.
Using a knife, fork, or skewer, gently swirl the mixtures together to create a marbled effect.
Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.
5. Bake
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely before slicing into bars or squares.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Chocolate Dessert
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One-bowl pumpkin cake base – quick and no fuss
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Creamy cheesecake swirl adds a rich, tangy contrast
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Chocolate + pumpkin = fall flavor perfection
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Great for holiday dessert tables, potlucks, and cozy nights in
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Easy to cut into bars for serving or gifting
💡 Tips for Success
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Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing.
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Don’t over-swirl or you’ll lose the marbled look!
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Want to add a little crunch? Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
How to Store
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Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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You can also freeze these bars for up to 2 months—just wrap tightly and thaw in the fridge overnight.
