The Very Best Pumpkin Cheesecake With Gingersnap Crust Food

BEST-EVER PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• to 350 degrees F. Wrap the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan tightly in foil - this is the easiest way to ensure no liquid oozes in or out of the springform pan while the crust and the cheesecake bake. Make sure it's tightly wrapped so it does not fall off while you're transferring anything in or out of the oven!
• for 12-15 minutes, until golden and fragrant. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Reduce the heat of the oven to 325 degrees F.
• for 1 hour and 45 minutes, until the edges are set. The center of the cheesecake may still be a little loose, and that's okay! It will continue to set as it sits. Turn off the oven, leaving the cheesecake in the oven for 1 hour while the oven cools. The residual heat of the oven will gently bake the cheesecake to completion. Remove the cheesecake from the oven & from the water bath and transfer to the refrigerator to set for 8-12 hours.
• Run a knife around the edges of the springform pan before releasing it. Slice the cheesecake into 8-12 slices. Top with whipped cream, freshly grated nutmeg, & a drizzle of salted caramel as desired. Enjoy!

THE BEST PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Add the gingersnap cookies, melted butter and salt to a food processor. Process until the crumb mixture looks like coarse sand, about 30 seconds. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake the crust until it is fragrant and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
• Remove the crust to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan tightly with foil and place in a roasting pan.
• For the filling: Add the cream cheese to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the sour cream, vanilla and salt and beat just until combined.
• Scoop 3 cups of the cheesecake filling into a medium bowl. Add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and 1/4 cup water and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined. Bring a pot or kettle of water to a boil.
• Fill a 1-cup measure with plain cheesecake filling and pour into the center of the cooled crust. Fill a 1-cup measure with pumpkin filling and pour into the center of the plain filling. The batter will spread as you add alternating scoops, widening to form concentric circles. Repeat with the remaining batter in 1/2-cup increments alternating between flavors, until all the batter is used.
• Carefully place the roasting pan in the oven (don't pull the rack out of the oven). Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the foil-wrapped pan.
• Bake until the top of the cheesecake is lightly browned around the edges, but the center is still jiggly, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the cheesecake sit in the oven until the center becomes just slightly jiggly, about 1 hour (see Cook's Note).
• Carefully remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a wire rack. Cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• For the spiced pumpkin seeds: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the pumpkin seeds, oil, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt and cloves in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and roast until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• For the pumpkin caramel: Melt the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until caramelized and dark amber (a digital instant-read or candy thermometer should register 245 degrees F), about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally with a whisk. Lower the heat to low. Carefully whisk in the heavy cream and butter and continue stirring until melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, ginger and cloves until combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving.
• To serve: Let the cheesecake sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Unlock the springform pan and remove the ring. Sprinkle the spiced pumpkin seeds around the top outer edge of the cheesecake. Dip a knife in a warm water and wipe dry before slicing each piece. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of the pumpkin caramel.

THE VERY BEST PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, mix together the cookie crumbs, sugar, butter and salt until clumps begin to form.
• Press the crumb mixture into a springform pan firmly and evenly across the bottom and halfway up the sides.
• Transfer the crust to the oven and bake until set, approximately 10 minutes.
• Transfer pan to a wire rack and cool completely. Wrap the bottom and sides of the pan with foil.
• Reduce the oven to 325 degrees.
• Add the cream cheese to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
• Beat in the sugar, vanilla, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice scraping down the sides of the bowl, as needed.
• Add the eggs to the cream cheese mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Pour the filling into the crust and set in a deep baking pan.
• Transfer the baking pan to the oven and fill with water. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until set but still wobbly in the center.
• Remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 8 hours or overnight.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE IN A GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch springform pan.
• Using a fork, combine gingersnaps, hazelnuts, 3 tablespoons brown sugar and melted butter. Press mixture onto the bottom and two inches up the sides of the pan to form the crust.
• With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the pumpkin. Mix in the cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing until smooth.
• Pour batter into prepared crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until center of cheesecake is set. Allow to cool in pan for 30 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.

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!

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Stir gingersnap crumbs, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, and melted butter together in a bowl until mixture resembles sand. Stir 1 egg yolk into crumbs until thoroughly combined and crust mixture holds its shape when pressed.
• Move a rack to the center position in oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Spray a 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray, spread crumbs into pan, and press crumbs into a firm crust going about 1 inch up the side of the pan. Place the pan on a heavy sheet of aluminum foil and bring the foil up the sides of the pan to the rim, crumpling it close to the pan and making a barrier to prevent water from leaking into the cheesecake. Place the foil and springform pan into a large roasting pan.
• Place cream cheese, 1 cup brown sugar, and white sugar into the work bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment; mix low speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Raise speed to high and mix until light and fluffy, about 3 more minutes.
• Place pumpkin puree in a separate large mixing bowl; stir in cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, salt, vanilla extract, and bourbon whiskey until combined. Whisk 1/4 cup flour into pumpkin mixture, followed by eggs and yolks. Whisk cream cheese mixture into pumpkin mixture until filling is completely smooth and free of lumps. Pour filling into crust; use a spatula to lightly and rapidly jiggle the filling in the center of the cheesecake to help shake out any bubbles.
• Carefully place cheesecake in roasting pan onto center rack of oven and fill roasting pan with enough very hot (almost boiling) water to reach halfway up the side of springform pan.
• Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the filling reads 155 to 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Check temperature after 1 1/2 hours. Filling will still be slightly jiggly in the center.
• Turn off oven heat and open oven door for a few seconds to let out most of the hot air. Use a thin knife to separate cheesecake edge from inside of pan to help prevent cracking. Close oven door almost all the way, leaving a small opening (about 1 inch) to release additional heat. Let cheesecake cool in warm oven for 1 hour to finish setting. Remove cheesecake from water bath and let cool to room temperature on a counter, 2 to 3 more hours. Cover cheesecake with aluminum foil and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 3 hours but preferably overnight.
• Use a folded paper towel to remove any moisture that has formed on top of the cheesecake before releasing and carefully lifting the pan from the cheesecake.

DELUXE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9-inch springform pan; wrap outside bottom of pan with two layers of foil, shiny side out, so that it goes up the sides about 2 inches; set aside.
• In a small bowl: combine crust ingredients; press into bottom of prepped pan; place on cookie sheet; bake for 8-10 minutes; cool -- save the bowl for later.
• For Cheese Filling, in a large bowl: beat ONE pkg cream cheese with HALF CUP of the sugar along with the cornstarch, until smooth. Beat in remaining cream cheese, one pkg at a time, then add remaining sugar.
• Add TWO eggs, beat until combined (on low), add vanilla and remaining eggs until well-combined.
• For the Pumpking Filling: Place TWO CUPS of Cheese Filling into the smaller bowl (set large bowl aside for now), stir in pumpkin, cinnamon & nutmeg.
• Remove 3/4 CUP of the Pumpkin Filling (this is for dollops); set aside.
• Pour remaining Pumpkin Filling into prepped crust, GENTLY -- pour Cheese Filling over this.
• GENTLY drop spoonfuls of reserved P-kin Filling in dollops over the Cheese Filling, lightly cut/drag through this with a knife (don't go very deeply!) to swirl artfully. :-) Yes, artfully!
• WATER BATH: Set springform pan IN a large baking pan (casserole will do), add ONE INCH of hot water to the larger pan.
• Bake for 55-65 minutes (center is set, top appears dull); remove cheesecake from water bath; cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes; carefully run a knife around the edges to loosen; cool another HOUR; refrigerate over night.
• AT SERVING TIME: garnish with a drizzle of chocolate or caramel topping/syrup, whipped cream & a smidgen of cookie crumbs IF DESIRED (hahhahaha!).
• FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE DOING THINGS OPPOSITE: Reverse the Order of Fillings -- and use cheese filling for the dollops!

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH GLUTEN FREE GINGERSNAP CRUST

Steps:

• FOR CRUST: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap outside of a 9-inch diameter springform pan with foil to catch drips. Place Midel brand gingershaps into a 1-gallon plastic freezer bag and crush with a rolling pin. Measure out the 1 1/2 cups and combine them with the butter and sugar in a bowl. Press mixture into bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of the springorm pan. Bake crust about 5 minutes until slightly darkened. Set aside. Maintain oven temperature.
• FOR FILLING: Blend the room temperature cream cheese and sugar in a food pocessor or heavy duty mixer until smooth. Add pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, and spices. Mix or Process until very smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl for a nice homogenous mixture. Pour the filling into the crust.
• Bake cheesecake until the center is set (doesn't slosh around AT ALL in the middle when the pan is wiggled) and edges begin to crack, about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Cool in the springormpan on a rack. Chill uncovered until cold, at least 6 hours. (Can be made a day ahead, cover and keep it chilled, but don't make it any more than a day in advance.).
• Run a knife around between the crust and side pan sides; remove sides. Arrange pecans decoratively on cake.
• Great served plain or with a dollop of real whipped cream spiked with whiskey.