Maple Cheesecake with Pecan Pralines
Looking for a delicious Fall dessert? This Maple Cheesecake with Pecan Pralines is packed with maple flavor, and it’s perfect for a chilly Autumn evening!
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“Here you go, Daddy, here you go.” As I’ve written about before, one of my favorite weekly chores is grocery shopping. Now I know that ‘favorite’ and ‘chores’ don’t often go together in the same sentence, but this is different. Every Sunday morning, I load Robbie in the car, and we head off to the store for Robbie-Daddy time (aka grocery shopping). He sits in the cart directing me where to go while I work my way through the list. But the best part? Checking out!
Once we’re all done shopping, we head up to the self-checkout line, and that’s where Robbie goes to work. He hands me each item from the cart while I scan it and put it in bags. Last week, he got tricky and tried to hand me his snack container (we always go to the store with a snack in hand). At first I thought he was confused, but then I realized he had a smirk on his face. That little bugger!
How do you prefer to checkout in grocery stores? I always use the self-checkout line. I find it’s so much faster and easier than waiting in the traditional line. And apparently I’m not the only one! According to a recent study, the majority of shoppers (95%) want to be left alone in stores. Furthermore, 85% of us would rather use technology than find a store employee. Case in point: the digital price scanners vs. asking an employee. I’m definitely in the majority here! I find it incredibly annoying to track down someone vs. just scanning the item on a digital scanner. Maybe this is a generational thing? Either way, I want to get in and get out. (The one exception is when shopping for higher-priced electronics. In that case, I usually want to hear what an employee has to say.)
Maple Cheesecake with Pecan Pralines
This past week, Robbie and I grabbed several packs of cream cheese along with some pecans and brown sugar. The goal: this Maple Cheesecake with Pecan Pralines. I didn’t need to grab maple syrup as we stockpile nature’s candy whenever we take road trips into Vermont. Growing up, maple syrup was typically that stuff in squeeze bottles. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve seen the folly in my ways. Sure, real maple syrup is more expensive that the squeeze bottle stuff…but the difference in taste isn’t even comparable!
This Maple Cheese with Pecan Pralines just screams Fall to me. The creaminess of the maple cheesecake combined with the crunch of pecan pralines is the perfect dessert for a chilly Fall evening. Laura and I got a fire table last year, and we ate a couple of slices of this Maple Cheesecake while sitting on the back porch next to that fire table. Add in a glass of bourbon with a couple drops of water, and you’ve got one delicious end of the day!
I including a maple frosting on top of this cheesecake, but truthfully it doesn’t even need it. Originally, I was thinking the frosting would be needed to really boost the maple flavor, but the maple cheesecake has plenty of maple deliciousness as it is. I left the frosting in the recipe below so that you can make the choice…I promise it’ll be delicious either way! I hope you enjoy this Maple Cheesecake with Pecan Pralines as much as we did. Cheers, friends! And if you make this maple cheesecake, swing back by and let me know what you think, ok?
Love maple? Here are some more of our favorite maple recipes!
Maple Glazed Mixed Nuts with Candied Bacon
Maple Cheesecake with Pecan Pralines
Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- 8 graham crackers
- ¾ cup pecans
- 3 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
For the Cheesecake
- 4 8-oz. packages cream cheese, room temperature
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 whole eggs
- 2 additional egg yolks
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup sour cream
For the Pralines
- ½ cup pecan halves lightly toasted
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1½ Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp heavy cream
- ½ Tbsp maple syrup
For the Maple Frosting
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- Using a food processor or mini-chopper, pulse the graham crackers and nuts until finely ground.
- Using a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, chopped nuts, brown sugar and melted butter; stir until well combined.
- Lightly butter or grease a 9” springform pan; line the bottom of the pan with a parchment paper. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. (Tip: A flat-bottomed glass helps pack the crust mixture down evenly.)
- Bake crust at 350°F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
For the Cheesecake
- Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
- Using a countertop mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until completely smooth (~2-3 minutes).
- Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg; mix well.
- Whisk the eggs and egg yolks together and add to the bowl in 2 additions, mixing fully after each addition.
- Add the maple syrup and sour cream; mix until fully combined. (Tip: Use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure the filling is fully mixed.)
- Pour the cheesecake filling on top of the cooled crust.
- Wrap the bottom of the pan with a piece of aluminum foil and place in a large baking pan. Fill pan with about ½”-¾” of water. Bake at 325°F until center of cake is just barely set (about 80-90 minutes). (Tip: Pull the cheesecake out of the oven when there is about 1" ring of "looser" filling left in the center.)
- Remove cheesecake from oven and cool for 10 min. Wrap entire pan in plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
For the Pralines
- Line a baking sheet with foil; set aside.
- Place all ingredients into a large saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring often, until mixture begins to boil. Let boil for 3 minutes, or until temperature reaches 238-240°.
- Remove pan from heat and, working quickly, use 2 spoons to drop spoonfuls of praline mixture onto lined sheet pan. Let cool completely before breaking or chopping.
For the Maple Frosting
- The next day, remove the cake from the freezer and release the springform pan. Transfer the cake to a serving platter.
- Using a medium saucepan, add brown sugar, butter and maple syrup. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat; let boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove pan from heat and add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; stir until well combined.
- Using an offset spatula, spread frosting around top of cake. Immediately press chopped pralines into frosting and then
- place cheesecake in refrigerator to defrost for 3-4 hours.
I haven’t made a baked cheesecake in ages! This is a lovely one for autumn too. I think I would add that delicious maple frosting just for that added special effect if I was to make this. This is a cheesecake to definitely go ALL THE WAY on!
I’m all about the baked cheesecakes! I mean I love a good no-bake cheesecake, too…especially in the summer. But a baked cheesecake is just pure comfort food in my opinion! These maple cheesecake has so much awesome Autumn flavor going on, too. I’ll save you a slice, Neil! 🙂
If I just have a few items in my basket, I like to use the self check out. But if I have a whole basket, I head to the regular ol’ line. I’m a creature of habit, more than anything. This cheesecake looks and sounds delish! Love the pecans and the maple syrup! Yum!!!
I hear ya on the checkout line, Kathy. I like self-checkout, but I have to wait until one of the bigger spots opens up. I’ve definitely tried self-checking out on the small stations, and it turns into a game of Jenga with the grocery bags. Hah! Thanks so much, my friend!
You’ve outdone yourself! This is absolutely my dream cheesecake. Maple and praline? UMMMM where has this fabulousness been all my life??? As for grocery store checkouts, I’m self checkout all the way and actually avoid stores that don’t have self checkout. And I detest tracking down an employee to ask questions too! The more automation the better if you ask me 🙂
Yes! I was out in the Finger Lakes area this past weekend (pretty close to your old stomping grounds), and I went in a store without self-checkout. Seriously!? How does a grocery store NOT have self-checkout anymore? Standing in line just slows me down from getting back home and eating a slice of maple cheesecake. Hah!
David, I’m not a dessert guy and if I’m having dessert it likely wouldn’t be cheesecake, but that Maple Cheesecake with Pecan Pralines looks awesome. I’m so glad you didn’t post the nutrition on it, I might just try my hand at this one.
We don’t have self checkout like you guys do. We use a hand scanner that you swipe with your store card. Then you scan and bag as you shop. When you leave, you put the scanner in a rack and go over to a blinking screen say OK, it debits your bank and bingo your done. We also have full service checkout as well, but I don’t think it will be around for long.
I hear ya on the nutrition angle, Ron. Cheesecake isn’t always the best when it comes to watching what you eat. But we believe in the ‘everything in moderation’ mantra. Laura and I kept out 4 slices of this cheesecake (2 nights worth) and then the rest got sliced up and put into the freezer for later.
So a couple of stores have started doing that hand scanning/bagging as your shop approach here. I haven’t tried it myself, but it does seem easier. Although I’m not sure it’s really taking off here as I don’t see many people doing it. I remember going into an Italian grocery store this past year, and it was similar to what you describe. I might have to try that here…I think we can even use our smart phones as our ‘scanners’. Crazy!
Haha- wonder where Robbie gets his sense of humor- eh?!
Lil S started off handing me stuff when she was yong and we used to be checking out at the store, now she scans and even bags at times while am standing around “supervising!” Kids somehow manage to make chores seem fun- at least that’s my two cents.
Also, lately we are self checkout fans too-mostly cos we feel antisocial after navigating aisles where some peeps drive their carts like they do their cars here in Athens- slow and oblivious to everything around… ok am done venting- instead am gonna fox’s on this glorious cheesecake! I see you only have small amounts of frosting left-I day bt blame ya, I’d have finished the frosting with a spoon and then popped all those pralines in my piehole and then the cheesecake would follow! Glorious creation my friend! Digging into this with some bourbon on the side and a fire going makes for a glorious evening for sure!
I hear ya on the chores and kids. Robbie wants to be involved so much these days…even with boring stuff like chores. And since they’re chores, I’m not going to complain with some extra help! 🙂
Woah. I think you just described my ideal evening. A glass of bourbon, a fire in the fireplace and a slice of this maple cheesecake. It’s pretty chilly here today, so I think I might need to make this happen! Hope you and Lil S have a wonderful weekend ahead…and I hope you don’t get caught behind any grocery store slowpokes! Hah.
Although we like the self-checkout line too, we rarerly use it. Reason? In order to apply some discounts (Including Andrey’s student id), we’ll need…to call for someone’s assistant once we’ve done checking out. It destroys the entire idea, right? Anyway, let’s talk this luscious cheesecake! I mean, maple cheesecake and pecans? Couldn’t ask for more! Indeed, I was considering making a maple infused cake, but I decided to postpone it for a while as pumpkins and apples have occupied all our house, and we don’t have too many stomachs either for another cake 😉 But I probably need to reconsider my plans!
I totally know what you mean about calling for assistance in the self check-out lines. One of our grocery stores is able to scan coupons right there, but the other one makes you call someone over…can you guess which store I prefer to go to? Maple is one of my favorite Autumn flavors (even though maple syrup is made in the Spring), so I’m 100% in support of you making that maple cake! I bet Andrey would be happy with it, too. Hope you guys have a great weekend ahead, Ben!
Maple and cheesecake sounds like a fantastic flavor combination, David. My go-to grocery store employs developmentally challenged people as grocery baggers, and I love it everything about it. I love that they have good work that I know is not easy for them to find. I love it that they’re part of the fabric of society, right out in front, and that everyone who passes through the store get to interact with them, and they with us. Self-checkout eliminates those jobs, and I’m pretty convinced that those people have limited options, should these jobs go away. ‘
There was a time when I adored the self-checkout. That’s back when it would accept change. I hate carrying change, so it piles up at home. I used to take it to the grocery store, and then, as 15 people waiting in line behind me watched, I’d pump coin after coin after coin into the thing. And when I finally finished, I’d work my way through my $1’s. People we SO entertained. I feel like I was providing a much needed service. The machines no longer take change. I may have had an unwitting hand in that.
You know, that’s a really great point, Jeff. To my knowledge, our grocery stores don’t hire developmentally challenged folks as baggers. I know the stores down south did, but I haven’t noticed that up here as much. But, yes, from that perspective, I definitely support the full-service lines. Excellent point!
Also, I’m imagining getting stuck behind you with your 47 pennies, 18 dimes, 62 nickles and 5 quarters. I would not be entertained. Haha!
Perfect for those chilly Autumn evenings ahead, David! Real maple syrup is so worth the extra money, it is so good and that frosting sounds seriously delicious! Robbie is such a hard worker, so cute how he tried to trick you 🙂 We have self-checkout areas in London as well as checkouts with real people waiting for you so there is no need to track them down. I guess the system is a little bit different here. I prefer the self-checkout area when I only have a few items but still prefer a real human being when I have a full trolley. One of the reasons is that there is never enough space in the self-checkout area. Have a nice weekend ahead, my friend!
Robbie is a real joker these days, Miriam! And it’s so funny that I find myself legitimately cracking up laughing at him. Like yesterday he took my new winter beanie hat and wore it around the house. He looked ridiculous, but he was so proud of himself…to the point that he wanted to keep the hat in his bedroom with him last night. Silly kid!
As far as checking out, if our full checkouts had real people waiting…then I would be all about that! But the lines are usually 5-6 people deep while the line at self-serve is maybe 1 person. I’m all about getting in and getting out, so I usually head to self-checkout. Either way, I hope you and the family have a great weekend ahead, too! Thanks, Miriam!
Some people don’t enjoy grocery shopping….me? LOVE it!! And you know what else I love? Cheesecake! Duh, lol! I really enjoy mine with coffee because I enjoy the soft, sweet cheesecake with hot, strong coffee. Those contrasting flavours are delish. I always, always, buy real maple syrup. If you’re going to go all out, better to do it with the best stuff, right?? Robbie is adorable, by the way. What a sneaky lil’ bugger 😉
I don’t actually mind grocery shopping, but I do enjoy going early when the store isn’t as packed. I find it easier to get up and down the aisles…especially with Robbie leading the way! 🙂
And I hear ya on the coffee + cheesecake. I’m a huge fan of a cup of coffee for dessert! We don’t do it often here at home, but I frequently order coffee when we go out for a fancy meal. Hope you have a great weekend ahead, Dawn!
Wow, interesting data. I didn’t know everyone was as anti-social as me in the supermarket 🙂 And I love using my coin stash to pay! I found one store that you can just put in a whole handful at once and it sorts it all for you.
This cheesecake looks so amazing! Love, love, love the maple and praline combination!
Haha! Yes, apparently folks just like to be left alone in the store. I get it. I like to get in and get out, so I’m all about the self-checkout lines!
Thanks so much for the kind comments here, Kelly. I hope you have a great weekend ahead!
Maple is one of my favorite flavors (and is also the name of my dog). 🙂 So I love that you added the maple frosting — whether it’s needed or not. A beautiful pie either way. Sounds like you’ve got and excellent helper when it comes to shopping. 🙂
No way! I love that you named your dog Maple…what a fun name! Maple is one of my favorite Autumn flavors (even though the syrup is actually made in the Spring). This cheesecake? Perfect for a chilly evening…and bonus points if you have a fire in the fireplace at the same time! Thanks, Valentina!
I love the grocery store routine you have with Robbie. How fun!
I’m with you on the self checkout. The statistics about it are really interesting too…
And now about this Maple Cheesecake – holy moly! It looks amazing. Wishing I had a slice right now!
Our grocery store routine is seriously one of the highlights of my week! Not so much because it’s the store…but because it’s a great chance to spend 1-on-1 time with Robbie. I love it! Thanks so much, Marissa! 🙂
I like using the self-checkout when I don’t have a lot of items. Sounds like Robbie is getting sneaky. I love cheesecake. Sounds like you have a winner here.
I’m with ya, Dawn…I always roll through self-checkout. I guess I just don’t like standing in lines, and there are always lines at the regular checkout. Either way, cheesecake is always a winner! Thanks so much!