This Is The Most Searched Pumpkin Recipe In The South

Hint: It's probably not your first guess.

When the cool weather starts to roll in, or even when it’s still 90 degrees but past Labor Day, Southerners just can’t wait to break out their repertoire of fall recipes, from soups to baked goods. But the cream of the crop is those pumpkin recipes we’ve waited all year long to make. That’s right, y'all, it’s PSL (pumpkin spice latte) season.

Whether you’re reaching for the fresh produce version of this winter squash variety or canned pumpkin, we have endless savory and sweet pumpkin recipes to satisfy your seasonal craving. While we love warm-your-soul pumpkin soups, hearty pumpkin salads, and crowd-pleasing casseroles, it’s the desserts that we just can’t get enough of.

Obviously the dessert recipe we're searching for first must be pumpkin pie, right? Nope—we mostly save that one for Thanksgiving. So then it's got to be pumpkin bread? Wrong again.

Small but mighty, the most searched pumpkin recipe in the South is Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes. These bite-sized cuties combine two things we love, cheesecake and pumpkin spice flavor, into an easy and delicious dessert that’s fit for any fall occasion. Best of all, they’re sure to stand out among all the other pumpkin-filled recipes on any given buffet.

What Makes These Mini Desserts So Good

Need we say more other than the ultra-creamy combination of cheesecake and pumpkin flavor?

Let’s start with the classic, four-ingredient graham cracker crust. It adds a textural layer that also holds the mini cakes together, but we added a touch of brown sugar for a slight caramel-y flavor.

As for the cream cheese and pumpkin puree filling, an array of cozy spices kick the seasonal punch up a notch. Pumpkin pie spice is essentially everything in your spice cabinet that tastes and smells like fall—cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.

Then, to finish it off, there's the addition of easy-as-can-be, light and fluffy whipped cream topping, which includes pure maple syrup, to seal the deal in the fall-flavor department.

Why Southerners Love This Pumpkin Recipe

There are a lot of reasons we love this recipe that go beyond the actual ingredients. Easy to transport? Check. No water bath? Check. Minimum hands-on time? Check.

• Short ingredient list. The holiday season can get pricey, but thanks to this minimal ingredient list, you won’t be running up the grocery bill either. Aside from a few pantry staples and spices, you’ll only need to pick up a handful of additional ingredients.

• Easy to convert. We're all for putting away those finicky springform pans in favor of our trusty muffin tins. If you want an extra small, pop-in-your-mouth version, you can use a mini muffin tray, but be wary: They will require far less cooking time.

• Shorter cook-time. And since we’re working on a smaller scale than a traditional-sized cheesecake, these don’t require as much time in the oven, which means they’re less prone to caving in or cracking.

• Make ahead. Did we mention you can make these confections ahead of time? Just be sure to store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container and they’re good to go for up to 2 days. We do recommend waiting to add the whipped cream until you’re ready to serve.

• Pretty presentation. The cherry on top of why Southerners love this recipe so much? They look much fancier than the effort they require thanks to the piped whipped cream topping and sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for garnish. Of course, if you don’t have a piping bag or tip, a dollop with a spoon will always do.

Related: This Is The Most Searched Fall Casserole In The South

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Read the original article on Southern Living.