Pumpkin Cheesecake

Guide Note

Pumpkin cheesecake is a cheesecake that has pumpkin puree added to the batter before baking. A traditional pumpkin cheesecake uses a graham cracker crust, which houses a pumpkin cheesecake filling.

Fast Facts

1. Variants: Chocolate and maple
2. How served: Dessert
3. Accompaniments: Whipped cream
4. Pralines can be used as a topping
5. Alternative to pumpkin pie

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 32 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter and 1/4 cup of sugar in a medium bowl until moistened.
3. Press mixture into the bottom of a nine inch springform pan.
4. Bake 10-12 minutes.
5. Mix cream cheese and remaining sugar using an electric mixer until smooth.
6. Mix in flour.
7. Mix in pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract and salt until smooth.
8. Mix in eggs, one at a time.
9. Pour the filling mixture onto the baked crust in the springform pan.
10. Place the springform pan on a cookie sheet and place it in the oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees.
11. Bake for 45 minutes.
12. Turn the oven off completely, but leave the cheesecake in for an additional two hours with the oven closed.
13. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and allow to cool.
14. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours.
15. Cut and serve. Makes 12 servings.