A cozy Saturday night dinner with family led us to Olive Garden, and with their fall seasonal menu in full swing, there was no chance I was leaving without trying their Pumpkin Cookie Butter Cheesecake. This dessert has been all over their socials, and the cross-section image they posted — classic cheesecake layer, pumpkin cheesecake layer, cookie butter swirl, caramel drizzle, thick graham cracker cookie crust — makes some bold promises.

Surprisingly?
It lives up to them.

Plating in the restaurant was simple: a clean white square dish with caramel drizzled generously over the slice. Nothing over the top, but once you cut into it, presentation stops mattering — because this cheesecake brings flavor and texture exactly where it counts.

The first bite absolutely hits. That familiar Olive Garden chill from a frozen-and-thawed slice is there, but this cheesecake works incredibly well within that format. The two-layer filling — half classic cheesecake, half pumpkin — blends into a perfect fall harmony. The pumpkin isn’t overly spiced, and the original layer helps mellow it out, creating a creamy, smooth, luxurious bite that’s both seasonal and timeless.

Then comes the cookie butter swirl and the star of the entire slice:
the crust.

Truly one of the best crusts I’ve had in some time.
Thick.
Buttery.
Packed with warm cookie flavor.
And firm enough to hold the entire slice without crumbling.

It’s the kind of crust that actually enhances the entire experience instead of just being a foundation. In this cheesecake, the crust is doing heavy lifting — and doing it well.

The caramel drizzle, though primarily decorative, adds extra sweetness and smooth texture without overpowering the cheesecake itself. The ratios are well-balanced, and the flavor layers complement each other beautifully.

At $8.99, this is a phenomenal value for a seasonal specialty. No, it’s not baked in-house — and yes, it’s mass-produced — but Olive Garden manages to deliver a fall dessert that genuinely impresses.

Verdict:

A shockingly excellent seasonal slice with a standout crust, perfectly blended pumpkin-and-original filling, and rich cookie butter warmth. Not fancy, not elevated — just flat-out delicious. A must-try while it’s available.

Flavor – Pumpkin Cookie Butter
Price – $8.99
Rating – 9/10

If you would like to try it for yourself, this is a chain restaurant with locations in all 50 states not in DC though.