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
- 8 ounces finely crushed gingersnap cookiecrumbs
- 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (to taste)
- 1⁄8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into 12 pieces, room temperature
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 8 ounces plain Greek yogurt, room temperature
- ½ teaspoonground cinnamon
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground 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, 1 ½ 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.