Cheesecake

Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake

Depending on the oven and the temperature of the ingredients, the cheesecake may bake about 15 minutes faster or slower than the instructions indicate; it is therefore best to check the cake 1-¼ hours into baking. Although the cheesecake can be made up to three days in advance, the crust will begin to lose its crispness after only one day. To make slicing the cheesecake easy and neat, use a knife with a narrow blade, such as a carving knife; between cuts, dip the blade into a pitcher of hot water and wipe it clean with paper towels. The cheesecake is good on its own, but the Brown Sugar and Bourbon Cream is a grand edition.

Crust:

5 Ounces Graham Crackers (9 Whole Crackers) Broken Into Large Pieces

3 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar

½ Teaspoon Ground Ginger

½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

¼ Teaspoon Ground Cloves

6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted

Filling:

1 1/3 Cups Granulated Sugar (10 1/3 Ounces)

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

½ Teaspoon Ground Ginger

¼ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

¼ Teaspoon Allspice

½ Teaspoon Table Salt

1 Can (15 Ounces) Pumpkin

2 Pounds Cream Cheese, Cut Into 1-Inch Chunks and Left to Soften at

Room Temperature, About 30 Minutes.

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice From 1 Lemon

5 Large Eggs, Left at Room Temperature, About 30 Minutes

1 Cup Heavy Cream

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

For the Crust: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to325 degrees. Spray bottom and sides of 9-inch spring form pa evenly with nonstick cooking spray. Pulse crackers, sugar, and spices in food processor until evenly and finely ground, about fifteen 2-second pulses. Transfer crumbs to medium bowl, drizzle melted butter over and mix with rubber spatula until evenly moistened. Turn crumbs into prepared spring form pan and, using hand, spread crumbs into even layer. Using flat=bottomed ramekin or drinking glass, press crumbs evenly into pan bottom, then use a soup spoon to press and smooth crumbs into edges of pan. Bake until fragrant and browned about the edges, about 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack while making filling.

For the Filling: Bring about 4 quarts water to skimmer in stockpot. Whisk sugar, spices, and salt in small bowl; set aside. To dry pumpkin: Line baking sheet with triple layer of paper towels. Spread pumpkin on paper towels in roughly even layer. Cover pumpkin with second triple layer of paper towels and press firmly until paper towels are saturated. Peel back top layer of towels and discard. Grasp bottom towels and fold pumpkin in half; peel back towels. Repeat and flip pumpkin onto baking sheet; discard towel.

In standing mixer fitted with flat beater, beat cream cheese at medium speed to break up and soften slightly, about 1 minute. Scrape beater and bottom and sides of bowl well with rubber spatula. Add about one third of sugar mixture and beat at medium-low speed until combined, about 1 minute; scrape bowled and add remaining sugar in two additions, scraping bowl after each addition. Add pumpkin, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat at medium speed until combined, about 45 seconds; scrape bowl. Add 3 eggs and beat at medium-low until incorporated, about 1 minute; scrape bowl. Add remaining 2 eggs and beat at medium-low until incorporated, about 45 seconds; scrape bowl. Add heavy cream and beat at low speed until combined, about 45 seconds. Using rubber spatula, scrape bottom and sides of bowl and give final stir by hand.

Set spring form pan with cooled crust on 18-inch-square doubled layer heavy-duty foil and wrap bottom and sides with foil; set wrapped spring form pan in roasting pan. Pour filling into spring form pan and smooth surface; set roasting pan in oven and pour enough boiling water to come about halfway up side of spring form pan. Bake until center of cake is slightly wobbly when pan is shaken, and center of cake registers 145 to 150 degrees on instant-read thermometer, about 1-1 /2 hours. Set a roasting pan on wire rack and use a paring knife to loosen cake from sides of pan. Cool until water is just warm about 4 minutes. Remove spring form pan from water bath, discard foil, and set on wire rack; continue to cool until barely warm, about 3 hours. Wrap with plastic wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.

To Serve” Slide thin metal spatula between crust and pan bottom to loosen, then slide cake onto serving platter. Let cheesecake stand at room temperature about 30 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve.

Step-by-Step: Drying Pumpkin with Paper Towels

1. Line baking sheet with triple layer of paper towels. Spread pumpkin on paper towels in roughly even layer.
2. Cover pumpkin with second triple layer of paper trowels and press firmly until paper towels are saturated.
3. Peel back top layer of towels and discard.
4. Grasp bottom towels and fold pumpkin in half; peel back towels. Repeat and flip pumpkin onto baking sheet; discard towels.

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Make aforementioned Pumpkin Spice cheesecake without the spices.

Add Hershey’s Raspberry Filled Chocolate Chips before baking. (These chips are hard to find and may not sold in stores but can be purchased through the Hershey Company located in Hershey, PA).

Or make your own Raspberry Flavored Chocolate Chips. Place Chocolate Chips in a Zip-lock baggie. Add 10-15 drops of Raspberry Flavored extract. Let sit for a few weeks.

Delicious!