Hey friends! I just baked this cozy Autumn Spice Tortchen, and wow—it smells like fall in my kitchen. I couldn’t wait to taste it.

The warm spices make it soft and comforting, and every bite has that little hint of sweetness I love. Honestly, it feels like a tiny hug on a plate.

I kept sneaking pieces while it cooled—it’s that good. I just know you’ll want to try it too because it’s so cozy and delicious.

Stick with me, and I’ll show you exactly how to make this fall favorite at home. You’re going to enjoy every bite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for Fall: The blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg brings all the cozy, warm flavors of autumn to life.
Easy to Make Ahead: You can prep the dessert in advance, making it the perfect choice for busy fall gatherings.
Rich and Creamy Filling: The combination of pumpkin puree and cream cheese creates a smooth and velvety filling that melts in your mouth.
Versatile: Whether you’re serving it for Thanksgiving or a casual weekend treat, this dessert will never go out of season.
Gluten-Free Option: With a simple switch to gluten-free biscuits, this recipe can be made for those with dietary restrictions.

Required Kitchen Tools

To make Autumn Spice Tortchen, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools to make the process easier:

Muffin Tin: For forming individual tortchens with ease.
Mixing Bowls: To prepare the crust and filling.
Whisk or Electric Mixer: To mix the ingredients for the filling smoothly.
Small Saucepan: For preparing the orange glaze.
Zester: To zest the orange for extra citrus flavor.

Ingredients

This dessert uses a simple list of ingredients to create an impressive result. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Base:

200g Digestive Biscuits: These will form the crunchy base. If you prefer a gluten-free option, use gluten-free digestive biscuits.
100g Melted Butter: This will bind the crushed biscuits together and provide richness to the crust.

For the Filling:

250g Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
150g Pumpkin Puree: Use fresh or canned pumpkin puree for the best flavor.
100g Sugar: For the right balance of sweetness.
2 Eggs: These help set the filling as it bakes.
1 tsp Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to the flavor.
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon: The iconic spice that screams fall.
1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon with a warm, earthy taste.
Zest of 1 Orange: Adds a refreshing citrus note that balances the spices.

For the Orange Glaze:

100ml Fresh Orange Juice: For a burst of fresh, tangy flavor.
50g Sugar: Sweetens the glaze.
1 tbsp Cornstarch: Helps thicken the glaze so it coats beautifully.

For the Decoration:

Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top gives the tortchen a smooth, creamy finish.
Grated Orange Zest: For an extra touch of citrus.
A Sprinkle of Ground Cinnamon: For visual appeal and additional spice.

Variations for Autumn Spice Tortchen

Autumn Spice Tortchen is a versatile dessert that can easily be adapted to suit your taste preferences. Here are some fun variations you can try:

Add a Crunchy Topping: Add a layer of crushed pecans, walnuts, or granola on top of the cream cheese filling for an extra crunch.
Use a Different Fruit Puree: Swap pumpkin for sweet potato, butternut squash, or even apple puree for a new twist on the flavor.
Switch to Brown Sugar: For a deeper, molasses-like sweetness, use brown sugar in place of white sugar in the filling.
Add Spice: If you love a little extra warmth, increase the cinnamon and nutmeg, or add a pinch of cloves for even more complexity.
Make it Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese and butter to create a dairy-free version of this dessert.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Autumn Spice Tortchen involves just a few simple steps. Here’s how you can prepare this dessert:

1. Prepare the Biscuit Base

To start, we’ll prepare the crunchy base that will support the creamy filling:

Crush the Digestive Biscuits: Place the biscuits in a food processor and pulse until they turn into fine crumbs. Alternatively, you can place them in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Melt the Butter: In a small saucepan or microwave, melt the butter.
Combine the Biscuit Crumbs and Butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed biscuits with the melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
Press into Muffin Tin: Grease a muffin tin or line it with cupcake liners. Spoon the biscuit mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup and press it down firmly with the back of a spoon. This will create a compact, sturdy base for the tortchen.

2. Prepare the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Filling

Next, we’ll create the rich and creamy filling that will go on top of the biscuit base:

Beat the Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it becomes smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.
Add the Pumpkin Puree: Add the pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest to the cream cheese. Beat until all ingredients are well incorporated.
Check Consistency: The filling should be thick, smooth, and creamy. If needed, scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is fully mixed.

3. Assemble and Bake

Once the filling is ready, it’s time to assemble the tortchen and bake it to perfection:

Fill the Muffin Cups: Spoon the pumpkin cream cheese filling into the muffin tin, over the prepared biscuit base. Be sure to fill each cup evenly.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the tortchens for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling has set and the top is slightly golden. You should be able to insert a toothpick into the center and have it come out clean.
Cool: Allow the tortchens to cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Prepare the Orange Glaze

While the tortchens cool, prepare the refreshing orange glaze to drizzle on top:

Heat the Glaze Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the fresh orange juice, sugar, and cornstarch. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens into a syrupy consistency. This should only take about 3-5 minutes.
Cool: Allow the glaze to cool slightly before using.

5. Decorate and Serve

Now, it’s time to add the finishing touches:

Top with Whipped Cream: Once the tortchens are completely cool, add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each one.
Drizzle with Orange Glaze: Drizzle a little of the cooled orange glaze over the whipped cream.
Garnish: Sprinkle with grated orange zest and a dash of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of flavor and color.

Serving and Decoration

These Autumn Spice Tortchens are perfect for any fall celebration. Serve them as a sweet treat for dessert, or as part of a larger spread of fall-themed goodies. Here are a few serving ideas:

On a Dessert Platter: Arrange them beautifully on a platter, garnished with fresh orange slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
With a Hot Drink: Serve with a hot beverage such as chai tea, apple cider, or a pumpkin spice latte for the ultimate fall experience.
As a Gift: Package these tortchens in a cute box or tin and gift them to friends and family. The individual portions make them easy to share.

Storing Autumn Spice Tortchen

If you have leftovers (which might be unlikely, given how delicious these tortchens are!), here’s how to store them:

In the Refrigerator: Store leftover tortchens in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: If you want to make a larger batch in advance, these tortchens freeze well. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight.

Nutrition (Approximate per Tortchen)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	230 kcal
Carbohydrates	30g
Protein	3g
Fat	12g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	15g