Description
Creamy pumpkin cheesecake centers balanced with fine graham crumbs, dipped in smooth white chocolate for a thin, glossy shell. No bake, freezer-friendly, and perfect for gifting or Thanksgiving dessert boards.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Center
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin purée, well blotted
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup very fine graham cracker crumbs, plus extra as needed
Coating & Finishes
- 12 oz white chocolate coating wafers or finely chopped white chocolate bars
- 1/2–1 teaspoon neutral oil, optional for thinning
- 2–3 tablespoons extra fine graham crumbs, cinnamon sugar, or bronze sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Prep pan and pumpkin
Line a small sheet pan with parchment. Blot the pumpkin purée between paper towels for 5–10 minutes until thick and matte. - Mix base
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar just until smooth. Stir in the blotted pumpkin, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice until creamy and cohesive. - Bind with crumbs
Fold in 1/2 cup very fine graham crumbs. The mixture should be thick and scoopable. If a test scoop slumps, fold in additional crumbs 1 teaspoon at a time until the scoop holds a domed shape. - Chill
Cover and refrigerate 30–45 minutes to firm slightly. - Scoop and roll
Portion with a level 1-tablespoon scoop onto the parchment. Roll quickly between your palms to smooth each portion into a ball. - Pre-freeze
Freeze the tray 10–15 minutes. The centers should feel cool and slightly firm, not rock-hard. - Melt coating
Place wafers or finely chopped bars in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 50% power in 20–30 second bursts, stirring between each, until just melted and fluid. If needed, thin with neutral oil for a soft ribbon. - Dip and decorate
Working with 5–6 centers at a time, dip one ball, lift with a fork, tap off excess, scrape the fork’s underside on the bowl rim, and slide onto fresh parchment. Immediately top with a pinch of crumbs, a light dusting of cinnamon sugar, or sprinkles. Repeat with remaining pieces, reheating coating gently if it thickens. - Set and store
Chill 10–15 minutes until shells are firm to the touch. Transfer to mini paper liners and store covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Texture control: blotting pumpkin and using very fine crumbs keep the centers creamy yet stable for dipping.
- Chocolate choice: wafers or almond bark set reliably without tempering. If using real white chocolate, chop very fine and melt at low power; a quick seed temper prevents bloom.
- Make-ahead: undipped centers hold 5 days refrigerated; dipped truffles keep 3–4 days refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Chill/Set Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
