Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Pumpkin Cheesecake

for the crust:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (from 10 whole crackers)
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

for the filling:
4 packages (8 ounces each) bar cream cheese, very soft
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, room temperature

To prevent the top from cracking, be careful not to overmix the batter, and do not open the oven door while the cake is baking or cooling inside the oven.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in center. Assemble a 9-inch nonstick springform pan, with the raised side of the bottom part facing up.

2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, mix cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter until moistened; press firmly into bottom of pan. Bake until golden around edges, 10 to 12 minutes.

3. Make the filling: With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar on low speed until smooth; mix in flour (do not overmix). Add pumpkin puree, pie spice, vanilla, and salt; mix just until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until each is incorporated before adding the next.

4. Place springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour filling into springform, and gently smooth top. Transfer to oven; reduce oven heat to 300 degrees. Bake 45 minutes. Turn off oven; let cheesecake stay in oven 2 hours more (without opening).

5. Remove from oven; cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours. Unmold before serving.

from Martha Stewart Everyday Foods, November 2004


I don't think I have the energy to make this cheesecake this year, but if you do, it is well worth the effort. It is delicious. Just make sure you have lots of people to share it with!

6 comments:

  1. yum! one of my favorites. and if you don't have the energy to make this one, the ones at Costco are really good too...i think cheating every once in a while is ok.

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  2. i immediately remembered you making this last year when i read the title. i'm scared to make it but maybe i will give it a shot for you since you can't. i can't promise anything, but i am gonna try my best.

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  3. Don't have the energy (or ability to eat it) this year... but I sure did love it last year!

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  4. steph, i will make it for you next month! mom

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  5. Ok, so i am not much of a cheesecake person.. to be honest i really don't eat it. But eric, he loves it.. and when he saw this sweet pumpkin cheesecake he is like "hummm.. can you make that please!?!" So now i will be making this sometime for eric. I'll let you know how it turns out.
    ps. I did think your pumpkin cookies look really good. YUM

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