PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH CARAMEL SWIRL

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Crust:

Vegetable cooking spray

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon Splenda granular

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

4 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

Three 8-ounce pkgs reduced-fat cream cheese, softened (do not use fat free)

1 1/3 cups Splenda granular

1 1/4 cups pure pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons heavy cream or half & half

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

3 large eggs

6 tablespoons Cinnamon Bliss or my Gold caramel sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-inch springform pan with cooking spray and wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the bottom and up the sides. Set aside.

In a small bowl combine the cracker crumbs, Splenda, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter and pour into the prepared pan. Firmly press onto the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool while making the filling.

In a large bowl beat the softened cream cheese with the Splenda until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin, vanilla, cream, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg just until blended. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, just until incorporated. Pour into prepared crust. Drop Cinnamon Bliss or caramel sauce in tablespoons over the top of the cake. With a butter knife carefully swirl into batter, without touching the bottom crust or mixing too much. Bake for 1 hour, or until the sides are firm and the very middle is still jiggly. You may want to cover loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes to prevent the cake from becoming too dark.

Remove from oven to a wire rack and cool for 15 minutes. Carefully run a sharp knife around the cake in the pan to loosen and continue to cool completely without removing the sides. When completely cool remove sides of pan and cover tightly. Chill for several hours or, preferably, overnight. Makes 16 servings.

Per Serving: Calories 176; Protein 6 g ; Fat 12 g; Carbs 11 g; Sugar 3 g; Sodium 213 mg