This maple mascarpone cheesecake is a wonderfully decadent dessert that is made for all your holiday gatherings. It's sweet and creamy, with notes of spicy cinnamon, maple, caramel and vanilla. The crust is made from a combination of graham crackers and pecans, providing a nice toasty balance to the sweet cheesecake filling. For even more decadent flavor, top the cheesecake with freshly whipped cream (for a little less sweet), maple caramel sauce (for even more maple flavor) or a combination of the two! Either way, this cheesecake is sure to be a winner for all your guests!
In a few words, this maple cheesecake is
- Sweet
- Creamy
- Decadent
- Full of flavor with notes of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, maple and hints of pecan.
- Is mostly refined sugar free thanks to the maple sugar and syrup!
Make sure to check out my Chocolate Chip Cheesecake for another deliciously decadent cheesecake.
What ingredients are needed to make this maple mascarpone cheesecake?
- Fraham cracker (crumbs)
- Pecans
- Maple sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Unsalted butter
- Mascarpone cheese
- Cream cheese
- Vanilla bean paste
- Maple extract
- Salt
- Sour cream
- Maple syrup
- Heavy whipping cream
- Eggs
From these ingredients you will make the spiced pecan graham cracker crust, the spiced maple mascarpone cheesecake filling, the maple caramel sauce and whipped cream.
What baking tools do I need for a great cheesecake?
- 9" (23cm) springform pan
- this is the recommended pan for this recipe
- Parchment paper to line the bottom (and sides) of the springform pan
- Food processor to make the graham cracker and pecan crumbs for the crust.
- Another option is to buy pre made graham cracker crumbs and use almond flour in place of the pecans.
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment to make the cheesecake filling.
- Use the whisk attachment for the whipped cream.
- A large roasting pan. This is for the water bath.
- Foil and an oven bag to protect the springform pan from the water.
- Foil: this is a must to protect the pan from water
- Oven bag/brining bag: this is an extra layer of protection to be used in addition to the foil. This article from Bake From Scratch does a great job of breaking this down.
- Tea kettle or small pot to boil the water for the roasting pan.
- You can use this again to make the maple caramel sauce.
- Candy thermometer: This helps in making sure the maple syrup reaches the "soft boil" temperature.
- Oven thermometer: This is one the easiest ways to make sure your cheesecake bakes at the proper temperature the entire time.
Tips and tricks for a fantastic maple mascarpone cheesecake:
- All cold ingredients should be room temperature
- When making a cheesecake, this means around 70-75 F (21-23 C).
- For me, this took over an hour.
- This helps make sure all ingredients mix smoothly and easily with the least amount beating.
- Use a water bath
- This is still the best way to ensure the cheesecake bakes properly.
- This article from Bake From Scratch does a great job of breaking this down.
- Pre-bake the crust
- This gives the crust a nice texture that won't break down into the cheesecake filling.
- If you want to skip the 10 minute bake, the crust will essentially be a soft part of the filling.
- Wrap the outside of the pan with foil.
- This helps protect the cheesecake from getting water inside.
- Use an oven bag in addition to the foil for even more protection.
More cheesecake tips:
- Bake the cheesecake until:
- The outer edges are set and the inner part of the cheesecake is still jiggly like jello.
- Leave the cheesecake in the oven (while it's turned off).
- Wedge a spoon in the door, but leave it cracked open a bit.
- Turn the oven off.
- Leave the cheesecake in the water bath.
- Let it slowly finish baking and cooling while in the oven for 1 hour.
- Once the cheesecake is out of the oven:
- Gently run a knife around to loosen any stuck edges of the filling away from the sides of the pan.
- Loosen the springform pan, but do not remove the side ring.
- Remove the pan from the water bath.
- Gently remove the foil and oven bag.
- Cool the cheesecake on the cooling rack until completely cooled.
- Once the cheesecake is completely cooled wrap the entire pan in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight.
- The cheesecake will keep wrapped in the fridge for 2-3 days.
more maple recipes to try!
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Make sure to tag me on instagram @olivesnthyme. For more delicious dessert ideas follow me on pinterest
- Pecan Upside Down Cake
- chewy maple pumpkin cookies
- fudgy maple brownies
- maple apple loaf cake
- maple tahini Rice Krispie treats
- chocolate bourbon pecan tart
- maple chocolate chip cookies
- maple pumpkin coffee cake
maple mascarpone cheesecake
this maple mascarpone cheesecake is made from a sweet and creamy maple and cinnamon spiced mascarpone cheesecake filling on a spiced pecan graham cracker crust. top with fresh whipped cream and maple caramel sauce for even more decadent flavor.
Equipment
- 9" (23cm) springform pan
- parchment paper
- food processor
- foil and oven bag
- stand mixer with paddle attachment or electric hand mixer with beaters
- large roasting pan
- tea kettle or small pot (to boil water and to make the maple caramel sauce)
- plastic wrap
- candy thermometer
Ingredients
spiced graham cracker pecan crust
- 1 c (125g) graham cracker crumbs
- ⅔ c (75g) ground pecans
- 3 tbsp (35g) maple sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp (85g)) unsalted butter, room temperature and cubed
maple mascarpone cheesecake filling
- 2 8 oz. (452g) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 2 8 oz. (452g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 c maple sugar
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla bean paste
- 1 tsp (5ml) maple extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ c (180g) sour cream, room temperature
- ¼ c (59ml) maple syrup
- ¼ c (59ml) heavy cream
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
maple caramel and whipped cream
- 1 c (237ml) maple syrup
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ c (59ml) heavy whipping cream
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 c (237ml) heavy whipping cream
Instructions
prep the cold ingredients
- For the smoothest cheesecake, it is important for all cold ingredients to come to room temperature. Depending on how warm your home is, this can take anywhere from 45-120 minutes. Room temperature is considered to be 70-75 F (21-23 C).
spiced graham cracker pecan crust
- Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Line a 9" (23cm) springform pan with parchment paper along the bottom. Lightly grease the sides of the springform pan. If you would like, line the sides of the springform pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place a heaping cup (or 125g) of graham crackers in a food processor. Process until mostly all crumbs. Don't worry if there are still larger pieces. Pour out the crumbs into a small bowl. Pour in the pecans and any remaining large graham cracker pieces into the food processor. Process until mostly small crumbs.Pour back in the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Process until the mixture is well combined and no large crumbs remain. Add in cubes of room temperature butter. Process until the mixture comes together in large clumps. Grab a little and press in between your fingers. The mixture should easily hold together. If not, add up to 2 tablespoon more butter until this happens.
- Press the crust into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. If you would like, press the crust up along the sides.
- Bake the crust in a 375 F oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven to cool on a cooling rack while the filling is prepared.
- Water bath protection: This cheesecake will be baked in a water bath. To prevent water from getting into the pan you will need to wrap the pan in foil. Place two long pieces of foil on top of one another, with one piece going up and down and the other laying on top going side to side (like a "+" sign). Place the cooled pan in the center of the two pieces. Carefully wrap the sides of the pan with the foil. Ensure there are no gaps. For extra protection, place the spring form pan in a "brining bag" before wrapping in foil.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 325 F (163 C).
maple mascarpone cheesecake filling
- Boil water to pour into the roasting pan about 15 minutes before finishing the filling.
- In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the mascarpone and cream cheese together on low until smooth and fully combined. You do not want to whip air into the filling, so this process should happen on the lowest setting and only for as long as it takes to combine both cheeses into a smooth mixture. Scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl.
- Pour in the maple sugar, vanilla bean paste, maple extract, cinnamon and salt. Mix into the smooth cheeses until well combined. This should happen on the lowest setting and just for as long as is needed to fully combine all the ingredients.
- In a seperate bowl, stir together the sour cream, maple syrup and heavy whipping cream until smooth and fully combined. No sour cream lumps should remain. Once fully combined, pour into the sweetened cheese mixture. On low, beat the mixture to fully combine. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure all the pieces are fully combined and the mixture is smooth.
- On the lowest setting, beat in each and egg yolk one at a time, waiting until about half of each egg is mixed in before adding the next. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Do not raise the speed of your mixer once the eggs are added in. Doing so will whip more air into the mixture and could cause the cheesecake to puff up while baking, just to collapse while cooling.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan with the cooled crust. Gently, but firmly tap the pan on the counter to help any air bubble release up to the surface.
- Place the lined and filled cheesecake pan into an empty roasting pan. Place the roasting pan onto the rack in the center of the oven. Carefully and gently pour the boiling water into the pan until the water rises about 1 inch.
baking the cheesecake
- Bake the cheesecake at 325 F (163 C) for 70-80 minutes. At 60 minutes, do the first check of the cheesecake. The cheesecake is finished when the sides are set and very slightly puffed. The center will still be a giggly, like jello. If you want to use an instant read thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 145 F (63 C).
- Once the cheesecake has baked long enough to set. Turn off the oven. Leave the cheesecake in the cracked oven for 60 minutes. I like to use a spoon wedged in the door just enough to prop the oven door a few inches.
- After one hour, remove the cheesecake from the water bath. Remove the foil and bag (if used). Run a butter knife along the edges to loosen any pieces of the filling that may have gotten stuck to the sides. Cool the cheesecake to room temperature on a cooling rack. This can take about 60 minutes.
- Only when the cheesecake is fully cooled, wrap the entire pan in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight. The cheesecake will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- serving the cheesecake
- Depending on your topping choice, you can serve the cheesecake as is, or you can add the additional toppings listed in the ingredients list.
- Maple Caramel Sauce: Pour the maple syrup into a small sauce pot. Bring the syrup to a boil until the temperature reaches 225-230 F (107-110 C) or right under the "soft boil" temperature. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the butter until fully combined. Stir in the cream and salt until fully combined. Cool 5-10 minutes in the pot. Pour into a heat proof container until fully cooled to room temperature. Chill in the fridge to fully set. The sauce keeps well in an airtight container stored in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
- Freshly Whipped Cream:Pour cold heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer with whisk attachement. Whip on medium to medium high speed until soft- medium peaks form. The cream should hold a peak briefly before collapsing down.
assembling the cheesecake
- When you are ready to serve the cheesecake, remove the cake from the springform pan. Carefully transfer the cheesecake onto a serving plate if desired. Spread the whipped cream on top. Drizzle the maple caramel sauce on top right before serving. Drizzle more sauce as needed after slicing pieces.
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amna says
oh my god . this was insane and phenomenal. it was my first time ever making cheesecake because it sounds hard and scary but you explained each step so well it was easy for me!! my cake didnt even crack and i heard that happens a lot when people make cheesecake for the first time, but it didnt happen to me?? the crust was so delicious and perfect texture. the filling was SOOO YUMMY AND CREAMY and melted in my mouth. the maple caramel on top of the homemade whipped cream perfectly tied everything together. i couldnt find maple sugar tho so i used brown sugar and it worked perfectly !! seriously, thank you so much for sharing this it is truly out of this world.
Megan says
Hi Amna, I am so happy to read how much you love this cheesecake. I have to say it is one of my absolute favorite recipes on the blog. Thank you so much for the kind review. 🙂
Kim says
So can you use maple syrup or will it change the texture and bake?
Megan says
Hi Kim, this cheesecake recipe has been tested to use 1/4 cup maple syrup in the cheesecake filling. For more maple flavor, use maple extract.