pumpkin cheesecake

Thanksgiving is just about here and I am all smiles. I love everything about this holiday, from the delicious spread to spending time with family and friends. I will happily be spending Turkey Day with Boyfriend and his family. I am so excited (and nervous!) to meet everyone.


I am never one to show up empty-handed, especially around the holidays. I definitely want to treat them to something yummy. I needed a recipe for something sweet. Luckily, I am obsessed with watching the Food Network. Paula Deen made the tastiest looking pumpkin cheesecake the other day, and I just have to bake it. I hope it's a hit!


Here is the recipe...


Ingredients for crust:
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 stick melted salted butter


Ingredients for filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin
3 eggs plus
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For crust: In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. For filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined. Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place in oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

[recipe courtesy of Food Network; click on image for source]