November 29, 2009

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap/Pecan Crust and Maple Caramel Topping



This is why I have come up with this cheesecake.

(makes a 9" cake)
Ingredients:
For Crust:
1 cup gingersnap cookie crumb
1/2 cup pecan, processed to crumb/powder
5 tbsp unsalted butter

For Filling:
450g cream cheese, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger

For Topping:
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup pecan, roughly chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven at 350F. Grease a 9" spring form pan. Wrap the pan with 2 layers of aluminum foil.

Make the crust by mixing all the crust ingredients together with a fork.

Press the mixture onto the bottom of the spring form pan. Bake crust for 8 mins. Set aside to cool.

Turn down oven temperature to 275F.

Beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg, one at a time. Mix for 2 mins. Pour in pumpkin puree, vanilla and spice. Blend for another 2 mins until well combined.

Pour the filling over the cooled crust. Tap the pan on counter a few times to release all the air in the batter.

Bake in waterbath for an hour, or until the edge of the cheesecake is puffed but the center is still wobbly and wet looking.


Turn off the oven with the door slightly opened, let the cheesecake sit in the oven to cool completely, at least an hour.

Remove from water. Chill for overnight.

To prepare topping, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the sugar and salt. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat to medium, cooking for 2 mins until it begins to thicken. Stir constantly so it does not boil over or foam too much. Add the maple syrup. Continue to boil for another 2 mins until thickened. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Drizzle the caramel sauce over the cheese. Sprinkle chopped pecan on top, follow by extra sauce.

37 comments:

ann low said...

Can I have a bigger slice. This is my favourite :D

Karine said...

Oh my! The topping must be fantastic with the cheesecake...

By the way, I hope Ethan is not scared of pumpkins anymore :)

MaryMoh said...

That topping is just awesome to go with this cheesecake...all the crunch with the lovely caramel. I need a big serving.

Fresh Local and Best said...

Wow! This is a show stopper!

pigpigscorner said...

I can eat the whole cake!

tinyskillet said...

I can feel my hips getting bigger just looking at the pictures. Wow it looks good!

Mardi Michels said...

I posted a really similar recipe on my blog today too! T'is the season!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

beautiful!!!

Elin Chia said...

this is something so different from the usual cheesecake that I have made. Thanks for sharing...drooling now :)

Unknown said...

Looks delicious!

Lisa said...

I would love to have a slice. It looks awesome!

CheapAppetite said...

haha. Funny stuff. Poor Ethan didn't like pumpkin. What you've done with that pumpkin is amazing. Looks really yummy! Love the crunchy pecan and gingersnap toppings.

Table Talk said...

Wowee that looks good! The Maple Caramel Topping is making me drool.

Cookin' Canuck said...

I can't think of a better way to save Ethan from the pumpkin! This is beautiful!

Momo said...

the topping looks so yummy!

penny aka jeroxie said...

Another beautiful cheesecake. I can have many slices now.

Divina Pe said...

Can I have the whole cake? :D For this month of December, I'm going to indulge and that cheesecake with the topping is out of this world. Ethan is smiling already.

My Little Space said...

Gosh, this is super yummy! Already drooling... (almost forgotten I'm on diet lol!) hehe...

Unknown said...

So pretty, looks delish!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a flavor combination. Love the gingersnaps in the crust. Great idea!

Joy said...

ohmygosh...please send this cheesecake to my address ASAP! This looks so awesome, and the gingersnap crust sounds to die for...good thing we don't live next to each other because I would eat the entire thing for sure!!

wasabi prime said...

Awwww... the conversation with the pumpkin was adorable!! I made something similar and what a fabulous, creamy treat it is! I love the maple caramel topping -- will have to try that the next non-pumping-pumpkin cheesecake I make! :D

Laura said...

This is simply fantastic. I love the topping..... and the cheesecake.

Claudia said...

How perfect is that. The maple caramel - oh my! The rich pumpkin cheesecake, the crust .... an over-the-top perfect dessert. (Okay, I'm a cheesecake fiend - best invention ever!)

Tasty Eats At Home said...

OMG - What an amazing-looking dessert!

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

How can you make such a beautiful looking pumpkin cheesecake? Would enjoy a big slice :)

Patty said...

WHOOOOO HOOOO!!! This pumpkin cheesecake is incredible! When are we going to get an invitation to come over for some cheesecake? Also, who is eating all the delicious food you are making! Can Ethan eat the cheesecake yet?

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

This cheesecake looks AMAZING!!! I love "interesting" cheesecakes. I usually make a pumpkin cheesecake (without such an amazing crust & topping) for Thanksgiving but didn't this year. This is a nice reminder that I have to bake some! :)

Deepa G Joshi said...

Wow..it looks so tempting..The topping looks equally inviting..

Marillyn Beard said...

I bet that cake didn't last 2 days! Looks beautiful... bet it was rich and smooth.

Anonymous said...

A gorgeous cheesecake, I'm loving all the flavors here!

Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free said...

I love pumpkin anything so I had to check this out. I made a fabulous pumpkin mousse last Thanksgiving - my hubby doesn't like pumpkin so much and I ended up eating it all. *blush* (It's just the two of us...)

Angie's Recipes said...

oh cheesecake, cheesecake....I wish one didn't get fat at all eating cheesecake, then I could have it every day!

angela@spinachtiger said...

Look divine, Love the gingersnaps.
Lululu, I need help with food buzz. How do you send a post to all your foodbuzz friends? I think I"m missing something.spinachtiger@me.com

Olive said...

this is so yummy..I love the topping as well and the contrast of texture..creamy filling and crunchy topping..yum!

..I have an award for you to pick up over at my site..:)

dokuzuncubulut said...

WOw!Very savory..

Anonymous said...

That cheesecake looks divine!

~ Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run