Pumpkin Ricotta Cheesecake Food

PUMPKIN-CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Wrap the outside (bottom and side) of a 9-inch springform pan with foil. Make the crust: Pulse the cookies and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Add the melted butter; pulse to combine. Press into the bottom and about 1/4 inch up the side of the pan. Brush the side of the pan lightly with melted butter. Bake until golden and set, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack; cool completely.
• Make the filling: Drain the ricotta in a fine-mesh sieve, 20 minutes. Combine with the sugar in the food processor; pulse until smooth. Add the pumpkin, eggs, mascarpone, vanilla, pie spice and salt; pulse until combined. (Do not overmix.) Pour the filling into the cooled crust. Bake until set around the edge but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 1/2 hours to 1 hour 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until cold and set, at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Make the topping: Chop 1 cup cranberries and put in a small saucepan with the sugar, lemon juice, salt and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat until thick, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 3/4 cup whole cranberries; cook 2 more minutes. Let cool.
• Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature 20 minutes, then run a thin knife around the edge and remove the springform ring. Add a splash of water to the cranberry topping to loosen, if needed, then spread over the cheesecake.

LIGHTER PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE (WITH RICOTTA AND CREAM CHEESE)

Steps:

• make crust by combining all ingredients and press into a well greased 10 in springform pan.
• preheat oven to 325 and put a glass pan half full with water on the bottom rack, put the upper rack to the second highest level.
• if your ricotta is fresh, which is best, and moist put in cheesecloth and squeeze out extra liquid.
• beat cream cheese and ricotta until smooth and light.
• beat in sugar until well combined.
• mix flour with spices and add them until combined.
• beat in sour cream until smooth.
• add eggs, one at a time, incorporating each one, at low speed- don't overmix.
• add pumpkin and vanilla, beat until smooth on low speed and pour into prepared crust.
• bake for about 1 hour 20 minutes, check after 1 hour- dont open the oven before 1 hour. outside should be set and golden, the middle should jiggle a little but not be liquid. turn off oven and keep the door closed, let cool at least 1 hour in the oven, cool completely and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.
• top with whipped cream or praline sauce if desired.

PUMPKIN RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add graham cracker crumbs; shake to coat pan evenly. Set aside.
• Combine pumpkin and ricotta cheese in food processor or blender; process until smooth. Add sugar, flour, milk powder, cinnamon, allspice, egg white, evaporated skim milk, oil, and vanilla; process until smooth.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 275 degrees; bake 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off oven; leave cheesecake in oven with door closed for 1 hour. Remove from oven; cool completely on wire rack. Remove sprinform pan side. Cover cheesecake with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.