# Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares These Homemade Bars are Filled With Fall Flavors and Colors By M | Published 2015-09-18 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheesecake-square References: [chocolatecoveredkatie](http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2015/09/14/pumpkin-cheesecake-bars/) & [chocolatecoveredkatie](http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/) These homemade cheesecake squares by lifestyle blog Chocolate Covered Katie offer a seasonal spin on a popular dessert by adding pumpkin puree to give the bars a sweet squash taste. These treats would be ideal to bring to any party or family gathering during the festive autumn season. Not only are these cheesecake bars delicious-looking, they're also [healthy and vegan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southern-roots-vegan-bakery). Rather than using dairy cream cheese, the recipe calls for a lactose free cream cheese by brands such as [Daiya](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-mac-cheese). Added to the dairy-free cream cheese is pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cinnamon, stevia, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and GMO-free cornstarch. The pureed pumpkin mixture can be made into bars on its own or set overtop of a crust of your choice. Once the bars are baked they taste like a healthier pumpkin-infused cream cheesecake. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Plant-based Desserts:** The trend of creating vegan desserts, like these pumpkin cheesecake squares, presents an opportunity for businesses to tap into the growing demand for plant-based options. - **Seasonal Flavors:** The use of seasonal ingredients, such as pumpkin, offers a chance for businesses to create limited-time products that cater to consumers' desire for flavors that align with specific times of the year. - **Health-conscious Treats:** The incorporation of healthy ingredients, like lactose-free cream cheese and natural sweeteners, reflects the increasing interest in nutritious and guilt-free indulgences, presenting a market for businesses to innovate in the health-conscious dessert space. ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the trend of plant-based desserts by developing and marketing a variety of vegan sweets. - **Baking and Pastry:** The baking and pastry industry can leverage seasonal flavors by introducing limited-edition products that highlight the tastes and colors of each season, attracting customers seeking unique and timely treats. - **Healthy Living:** The healthy living industry can seize the opportunity to offer health-conscious consumers more options for guilt-free indulgences by developing and promoting nutrient-rich desserts like these pumpkin cheesecake squares. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Baked Pumpkin Pastries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crumbl-pumpkin-square.md) - [Fall Health Food Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-spice-snack-bar.md) - [Pumpkin Spice Blondies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-spice-blondie.md) - [Fall-Flavored Oat Snack Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/core-bar-pumpkin-spice.md) - [Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-spice-cream-cheese-1.md) - [Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-spice-protein-bars.md) - [Pumpkin Cheesecake-Filled Croissants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-cheesecake-croissants.md) - [Vegan-Friendly Fall Baked Goods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cinnaholic-fall-desserts.md) - [Protein-Packed Pumpkin Yogurt Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-spice-greek-yogurt-bar.md)