Honey Pecan Cheesecake with Pecan Shortbread Crust

A rich cheesecake with a pecan shortbread crust, and topped with a glorious honey-pecan sauce. This Honey Pecan Cheesecake with Pecan Shortbread Crust is to-die-for!

I’ve wanted to share this Honey Pecan Cheesecake for two years now, but it kept getting away from me. I’m excited to finally get it on the blog this year.

There’s something about honey and pecans together that’s always intriguing to me. Honey and pecans are like the sister pairing to maple and walnuts, another pair that I love, but is much more mainstream and frequently used. I have these Maple Walnut Spritz Cookies, for example, and this Maple Walnut Fudge. Honey and pecans don’t get enough attention though, until now!

I don’t see enough honey & pecan recipes. Here is a good one that you need to hang onto, and it’s a great recipe for fall.

Toasted pecans drenched in sweet, golden honey are a luxury in and of themselves. The honey-pecan sauce on top is something you could throw on an ice cream sundae, or a pecan blondie, and it would elevate it dramatically.

That’s what it does for this Honey Pecan Cheesecake!

There’s pecans in every layer – from the crust, to the cheesecake, to the topping. And the crust is my very favorite. I’ve used a lot of different crusts for cheesecakes, including crushed pretzels, oatmeal cookies, Oreos, gingersnaps, Nutter Butters, brownies, blondies, and even cinnamon rolls!!! You name it, I’ve probably done it. But my #1 go-to crust will always be a pecan-shortbread crust.

Fine crumbs of buttery shortbread cookies with a big helping of finely ground pecans mixed in. Plus, butter and sugar, obvi. That is my ‘old faithful’ crust. It complements almost everything, and it’s much more flavorful than a graham cracker crust, in my opinion.

My favorite rich and creamy cheesecake filling is also an ‘old faithful.’ I loaded up the batter with pecans and brown sugar. The warm honey-pecan sauce spooned on top really soaks right into every bite. Also, look how it glistens! This Honey Pecan Cheesecake is a must-try recipe this fall!

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Honey Pecan Cheesecake with Pecan Shortbread Crust

Pecan pie built into a rich cheesecake with a pecan shortbread crust! It's topped with a glorious honey-pecan sauce!

Course Dessert

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings 10 -12

Author Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl

Ingredients

For pecan shortbread crust:

• 2 c. finely crushed pecan sandie cookie crumbs
• 1/2 c. finely ground pecans
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 4 tbsp. butter melted

For cheesecake:

• 3 - 8 oz. packages reduced-fat cream cheese softened
• 1 c. packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs at room temperature
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. coarsely chopped pecans

For honey-pecan sauce:

• 1/3 c. honey
• 3 tbsp. butter melted
• 1 c. coarsely chopped pecans toasted

Instructions

For pecan shortbread crust:

1. In a small bowl, combine pecan sandie cookie crumbs, ground pecans, sugar, and butter.
2. Press into the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan.

For cheesecake:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add brown sugar, beating until combined.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Add vanilla, beating until combined.
5. Fold in pecans.
6. Pour cheesecake batter over crust.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes, or until the edges are golden, and the center is still slightly jiggly, but almost set.
8. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

For honey-pecan sauce:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together honey and melted butter. Stir in pecans, tossing to coat.
2. Spoon over cooled cheesecake. Cut and serve.