Ingredients

CRUST:

1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs

2T butter, melted

3T sugar

1/4t cinnamon

FILLING:

24oz cream cheese, very soft

1 c sugar

4 eggs

1/2 t ground ginger

1/2 t grated nutmeg

1 t cinnamon

1/4 t ground cloves

3/4 t salt

3 T flour

1 t vanilla

1 c pumpkin puree

1 c heavy cream

TOPPING:

1 1/2 c sour cream

2 t sugar

1 t vanilla

8-10 pecan halves, lightly toasted (optional)

Equipement: 9" springform pan

Preparation

  1. CRUST: Preheat oven to 325. Combine crumbs, melted butter, 3T sugar and 1/4t cinnamon. Press into bottom of springform pan pressing 1" up the sides. Bake for 7 min.

  2. FILLING: In a large bowl of an electric mixer combine cream cheese and sugar until very smooth. Add eggs, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, salt, flour, vanilla, pumpkin and heavy cream. Pour into crust and bake at 325 for approximately 1 hour till the center is barely set. The cheesecake will firm up as it cools. Allow to cool to room temperature.

  3. TOPPING: Heat oven to 425. Combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Pour over the cooled cheesecake, gently spreading to the edges. Return to the oven for 7 minutes. Cool to room temperature then chill for at least 4 hours. Remove sides of springform pan and garnish the top with pecan halves.