RECIPE FROM THE CHEF
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
INGREDIENTS :
FOR THE CRUST
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
• 1 / 4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
FOR THE CHEESECAKE
• 4 8-ounce packages cream cheese , softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 / 4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 can ( 15 oz .) pure pumpkin puree
• 1 / 3 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
DIRECTIONS :
1 . Preheat oven to 350 ° F . Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray .
2 . In a medium bowl , combine graham cracker crumbs , butter , granulated sugar and pumpkin pie spice . Press onto bottom and 1 inch up-side of prepared pan . Bake for 7 to 8 minutes . Cool on wire rack for about 10 minutes .
3 . Begin to boil a large pot of water for the water bath .
4 . In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment , or in a large bowl with an electric mixer , combine cream cheese , granulated sugar and brown sugar until fluffy ; about 3 minutes . Add in eggs , pumpkin and heavy cream , mix until fully incorporated ; scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed . Finally , add in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice and mix until well combined .
5 . Pour batter into prepared crust . Place pan into a larger pan and pour boiling water into the larger pan until halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan .
6 . Bake 60 minutes , the edges will appear to be set , but the center will still have some jiggle to it . At this point , crack the oven door , turn the heat off , and let rest in the cooling oven for one hour . After one hour has passed , carefully remove the cheesecake from the water bath and place on a cooling rack to cool completely . Once the cake is completely cooled , place it into the refrigerator for at least 6 hours .
Notes : If you don ’ t want to mess with the whole water bath situation , no worries . You can bake the cheesecake without it . If you end up with a crack , just cover it with whipped cream !
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