Pumpkin Cheesecake With Salted Caramel And Gingersnap Crust Food

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST AND CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F degrees and set a rack in the lower middle position. Wrap a 9- or 10-inch springform pan with with one large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, covering the underside and extending all the way to the top so there are no seams on the bottom or sides of the pan. Repeat with another sheet of foil for insurance. Spray the inside of the pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pulse the gingersnaps, sugar, and melted butter in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until finely ground. Transfer the moistened crumbs into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake until fragrant and set, about 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack while you prepare the filling.
• Set a kettle of water to boil (this will be used for the water bath). In a small, heavy saucepan, stir together the pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a sputter, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, until thick, bronzed and shiny. Scrape the mixture into a large food processor fitted with the metal blade and process for 1 minute with the feed tube open.
• With the motor running, add the cold cream. Add the cream cheese (cut into chunks) and process for about 30 seconds, scraping the sides if necessary, or until smoothly incorporated. Add the eggs and process for about 5 seconds or just until incorporated (do not overmix!).
• Set the cake pan in a large roasting pan. Pour the batter into the cooled crust, and then pour enough boiling water into the large roasting pan to come about halfway up side of the cake pan. Bake until the cake is just set, 1½ to 1¾ hours. A properly cooked cheesecake will jiggle a bit when you nudge the pan, but if the center seems at all liquidy, it's not done. CAREFULLY remove the roasting pan from the oven and set on a wire rack. Run a sharp paring knife around the edges to loosen the cake from the sides of the pan. Cool until the water is just warm, about 45 minutes. Remove the springform pan from the water bath, discard the foil and set on a wire rack. Continue to cool at room temperature until barely warm, about 3 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Stir the sugar, corn syrup, water and lemon juice together in a 2-cup microwave-safe measuring cup or medium glass bowl. Microwave until the caramel is pale yellow, or just barely starting to take on some color, 4-8 minutes (depending on the strength of your microwave). It's fine to stop and open the microwave to check often; just don't let it get too dark or it will burn. Let the caramel sit for 5 minutes -- it will gradually turn a rich amber color. (If after five minutes, it's not dark enough, place it back in the microwave for thirty seconds or so, then let it darken again. If it gets too dark, start over.)
• In the meantime, heat the cream in the microwave until hot. Once the caramel reaches the right color, immediately stir in the hot cream a few tablespoons at a time. It will bubble up intensely, but it won't overflow. After you've added all the cream, stir to incorporate then add the butter. Add more cream if the mixture seems too thick. Once the caramel cools, you can store it in your fridge.
• Remove the outer ring from the springform pan. Slide a thin metal spatula between the crust and pan bottom to loosen, then slide the cheesecake onto a serving platter. (Alternatively, you can keep it on the pan bottom.) If there is condensation on the top of the cheesecake, blot it gently with a flat paper towel. Let the cheesecake stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then cut it into wedges. Warm up the caramel sauce in the microwave (it stiffens in the fridge). If it's too thick, add more heavy cream to thin it out. Drizzle the caramel sauce over each piece of cheesecake and top with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream if desired.
• Note: You'll need a large food processor -- preferably with a 14-cup capacity -- to make the filling (you can also use an 11-cup, but you may have a bit of leakage). If you don't have one, it's fine to use a Kitchenaid Mixer or electric beaters for the filling and a small food processor for the crust.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cheesecake can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze: place the cake in the freezer briefly, unwrapped, to firm it up. Then double-wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before you plan to eat it.

SLOW-COOKER PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• Loosely roll a large piece of foil (about 20 inches long) into a 1-inch cylinder. Form a ring with the foil measuring about 7 inches in diameter. Fill a 6- to 7-quart slow cooker with 1/2 inch of water and place the foil ring in the bottom.
• For the crust:
• Add the gingersnaps to a food processor and process until crumbs form. Add 1/4 cup of the melted butter and a pinch of salt and pulse to combine. You want the mixture to look like wet sand. Brush an 8-inch springform pan with the remaining melted butter. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the pan.
• For the filling:
• Wipe out the food processor, add the cream cheese and brown sugar and pulse until smooth. Scrape down the sides, add the pumpkin puree, sour cream, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice and pulse until thoroughly combined. Add the eggs, pulsing until smooth and uniform. Pour into the crust.
• Gently place the cheesecake on the foil ring in the slow cooker. Place a few layers of paper towels under the lid and cook on low heat for 4 hours. Allow the cake to cool in the slow cooker, about 2 hours.
• Remove the cheesecake, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Before serving, run a small knife around the edge of the cheesecake and remove the outer ring.

SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Wrap outside bottom and side of 9-inch springform pan with heavy-duty foil to prevent leaking. Grease inside bottom and side of pan with shortening. In small bowl, mix crust ingredients. Press in bottom of pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Cool crust 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup brown sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Add 3/4 cup whipping cream and 1/4 cup coffee syrup; beat until blended. Pour filling over crust.
• Bake at 300°F 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes or until edge of cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly. Turn oven off; open door 4 inches. Let cheesecake remain in oven 30 minutes. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on cooling rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Add 1 1/4 cups brown sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee syrup. Heat to boiling; cook and stir 1 minute until sugar dissolves. Stir in 1/2 cup whipping cream; return to boiling. Remove from heat. Cool 10 minutes.
• To serve, run small metal spatula around edge of springform pan; carefully remove foil and side of pan. Cut cheesecake into slices. Drizzle caramel sauce over slices; sprinkle with salt. Cover; refrigerate any remaining cheesecake.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Begin by crumbling cookies in a food processor. Then combine with melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Place the pan on a cookie sheet to catch drips and bake for 10-12 minute Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
• Beat the cream cheese in an electric mixer on low until the cream cheese is very smooth.
• Gradually add the sugars.
• Add the eggs, one at a time.
• Add the pumpkin puree and mix until just combined. Make sure to scape down the mixing bowl a couple of time during the process to ensure there are no lumps stuck to the bowl and the batter is very smooth.
• Stir in heavy cream, cinnamon, and allspice.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and set the pan back on the baking sheet. Bake until the edges are set and the center moves only slightly when the pan is shaken. Baking time may vary a little, start checking it after 1 hour. When it's done baking, turn off the oven and prop the door open with a wooden spoon and allow the cake to cool there for another hour.
• Chill for at least 12 hours, can be made up to 2 days in advance.
• Make the topping by whipping the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until you have stiff peaks. Apply topping shortly before serving and enjoy!