Spiced Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup melted butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Filling:

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup sour cream
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• Pinch of salt

Topping (optional):

• Whipped cream
• Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

2. Make the Crust:

   • In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
   • Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form an even layer. Bake for about 10 minutes, then let cool.

3. Prepare the Filling:

   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
   • Add pumpkin puree, sugar, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and salt. Beat until well combined and creamy.

4. Bake the Cheesecake:

   • Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
   • Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
   • Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for about 1 hour. This helps prevent cracking.

5. Chill:

   • Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best flavor and texture.

6. Serve:

   • Remove from the springform pan. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.

Enjoy your spiced pumpkin cheesecake—it's perfect for autumn gatherings!