New England Rum Pie – The Most Amazing Gluten Free Cheesecake for the Holidays
This delicious gluten free cheesecake says holiday to me. It has been served at just about every Thanksgiving and Christmas since I can remember. Think of the New England Rum Pie as the “stealth wealth” version of holiday desserts. It’s not showy, complicated, or glitzy. It’s understated and elegant — a cheesecake draped head to toe in creamy cashmere.
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New England Rum Pie is really a cheesecake!
The recipe found its way into my family in the 1960s. My grandparents Clem & Margaret (pictured left) who lived in the Oakland hills, used to have a folk dance club. They had three squares, or twelve couples, and a hired caller. They got together once a month, rotating houses. The hostess provided the main dish, and she had two co-hostess that brought appetizers, side dishes and desert.
One member of the dance club, Virginia “Ginny” Zimberg, was famous for her New England Rum Pie. My mom still has the hand written notecard with the original recipe. But where Ginny got it I don’t know. Neither, apparently, does the interwebs, though I did find the recipe posted on Recipe Binder! And why it’s called a pie and not a cheesecake is a mystery too.
But I’ll bet we are not the only family that has passed on this wonderful recipe!
Can you get gluten free graham crackers?
Gluten free cheesecakes can taste exactly like their glutenous counterparts. Thankfully there are several brands of gluten free graham crackers, and even boxed gluten free graham cracker crumbs to make your life easier. I like the Kinninnick brand, which I’ve found at stores like Sprouts and Walmart.
Is cheesecake gluten free?
Cheesecake fillings are almost always gluten free, but unfortunately the crust is almost always not. That’s why if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance you should never just eat the filling out of a cheesecake. There is a high likelihood of cross contamination. For the most part, if you want gluten free cheesecake, you’re going to have to make it at home. Happily, this recipe for New England Rum pie is SO easy!
Why New England Rum Pie is the cheesecake of your dreams
I have vivid memories of my sister, my dad and I literally fighting over the last slice of leftover pie, screaming and chasing each other around the kitchen with our forks raised in battle. It’s just that delicious. And thankfully, it’s super easy to make too! Because it is not baked in the traditional spring form pan, it cooks quickly (no water bath required).
It has just a few choice ingredients for a ton of flavor, and the splash of rum certainly adds a special touch. Once you try this, it’s sure to be a holiday tradition for you too!
More gluten free holiday dessert recipes to try!
- Easy Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake – Gluten Free
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake Recipe
- Boozy Cheesecake Cranberry Tartlets
Did you make this New England Rum Pie recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and star rating below (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) and post a picture and tag us on Instagram using the hashtags #agirldefloured #deflouredrecipes! Thank you!
New England Rum Pie – The Most Amazing Gluten Free Cheesecake for the Holidays
Equipment
- 9" Pie Plate
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 pound butter melted
- dash of cinnamon
For the Filling:
- 12 ounces cream cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons rum
For the Topping:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon sherry
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350°F. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter until evenly moistened and press into 9″ pie pan. Set aside
- Beat the cream cheese, eggs, sugar and rum together until it is the consistency of whipped cream. Pour into crust and bake for 20-25 minutes. It should be set around the edges with the center still a little jiggly.
- Whisk the sour cream, sugar and sherry together and spread on baked pie. Bake for an additional 5 minutes at 375°F. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Serve chilled.
Nutrition
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What a beautiful tribute to my Mom, your grandmother, and Ginny! New England Rum Pie is so easy and delicious 🙂