Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cheesecake By Alicia Robinson

This is a great addition for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup finely ground pecans
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 TBSP unsalted butter,
melted 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 TBSP corn starch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
15 oz can pumpkin or 1 1/2 cups fresh pumpkin
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Pumpkin Cooking Quick Tips

1) For added moisture and texture in cake or muffin recipes use mashed Pumpkin.

2) Pumpkin seeds can be used as a less expensive alternative to pine nuts in recipes.

3) Avoid higher temperatures when cooking pumpkin as the flesh can become stringy.

4) Bake rather than steam or boil pumpkin to alleviate excess moisture, then mash and drain through cheesecloth before using in pies.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine the cracker crumbs, pecans, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of an ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and the nutmeg in the bowl of an electric mixer on low speed until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and yolks and beat just until blended. Mix in the pumpkin and cream. Spread the batter in the pan, and place it on a baking sheet. Bake until the center is nearly set, 60 to 70 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Carefully run a sharp knife between the cake and the sides of the pan. Remove the sides of the pan. Cool completely on the rack before covering tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate until well chilled before serving, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings