OK, I admit it, I go a little crazy this time of year wanting to bake everything I can find with pumpkin or cranberries or apples. The days like today and yesterday with the dark, rainey skies just call out to me to bake. A few years ago, I made a pumpkin cheesecake that was awesome and since driving down the streets, seeing pumpkins in yards, I immediately thought, hum…….it’s time to get the ole cheesecake pan out and bake a pumpkin cheesecake. Am sharing the recipe with you. I got it out of Southern Living a couple of years ago. It is delicious. Instead of the usualy graham cracker crust, it sports a gingersnap crust. As in the words of Emaril….”pow”! delicious.
For Crust:
1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnaps
1 cup maple sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
3 8 oz softened cream cheese
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 1/2 teas vanilla
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. For crust: In a medium bowl, combine the crumbs 1/3 cup of the mapke sugar and the butter. Press crumb mixture onto the bottom and about 2 ” up the sides of the 9-in springform pan. Bake for 8 min. Cool on wire rack.
For filling:
In a large bowl, combine the remaining 2/3 cup maple sugar, the cream cheese, pumpkin, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and the vanilla. Beat on medium speed until all is blended. Add eggs, beat on low just until combined.
Gently pour filling onto crust. Place spring-form pan in a shallow baking pan. Bake for 1 to 1/4 hrs, or until center appears nearly set when gently shaken. (always remember that it continues to bake a few minutes after removing from oven).
Cook in sprig-form pan for 15 min. Using a small thin knife, loosen crust from sides. Cool for 30 more min.Remove side of spring pan and cool for another hour. Cover and chill then for at least 4 hrs or up to 24 hrs.
To serve, I spoon whipping cream on top and drizzle with the caramel sauce. Makes 10 servings.
Use as a table decoration when placed on a fall doily on a plate stand and place minature pumpkins around the plate. Guests can be drueling over the dessert during the dinner, knowing to save enough room for that marvelous cheesecake!
Chocolate Castles 