Desserts
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Cookie Crust
Makes one 8" cake; 12 servings
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Cookie Crust
Makes one 8" cake; 12 servings
The flavors of the holiday favorite pumpkin pie are paired with the traditional creaminess of cheesecake to make this delicious dessert.
Nutritional information per serving: Calories 334 (60% from fat)|carb. 27g|pro. 6g|fat 22g sat. fat 12g|chol. 122mg|sod. 258mg|calc. 36mg|fiber 1g
Ingredients
- Crust:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 8ounces finely crushed gingersnap cookiecrumbs
- 2to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (to taste)
- 1⁄8teaspoon kosher salt
- 6tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Filling:
- 16oz cream cheese, softened and cut into 12 pieces, room temperature
- ½cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼cup granulated sugar
- 4largeeggs, room temperature
- 1teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1cup pumpkin purée
- 8ozplain Greek yogurt, room temperature
- ½teaspoonground cinnamon
- ⁄8teaspoonground allspice
- 1⁄8teaspoonground nutmeg
- pinch kosher salt
Preparation
For the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat the inside of an 8-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray; reserve.
- Put the cookie crumbs, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a Cuisinart® stand mixer. Attach the flat mixing paddle. Mix on Speed 2 to combine, about 30 seconds.
- With the mixer running, slowly add the melted butter, and mix until the crumbs are totally coated, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer the crumbs to the prepared pan, and press into an even layer. Use the bottom of a glass or custard cup to firmly tamp down the crust.
- Bake until edges start to brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
For the filling:
- Place a baking pan on the bottom rack of the oven, and fill with water. Position the other rack in the middle of the oven, directly over the water-filled pan. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Add the cream cheese to the bowl of a Cuisinart® stand mixer. Attach the flat mixing paddle, and mix on Speed 2 until just smooth, about 1 minute. Add the sugars and mix until completely smooth.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next egg. Scrape the entire bowl after every other addition. Add the vanilla and mix to fully combine.
- Stop the mixer to add the pumpkin, yogurt, spices, and salt. Mix on Speed 2 until fully smooth, 1½ to 2 minutes.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pan. Open the oven; if any of the water has evaporated from the baking pan, add some more. Place the cheesecake on the middle rack. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and let the cheesecake rest in the oven for an additional hour. Cool the cheesecake completely on a cooling rack, then cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.