Pumpkin Cheesecake With Pecan Praline Topping Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• For the crust: Here's a super-easy no-fuss way to make this crust. Break the graham crackers into a food processor with the sugar. Pulse until the crumbs resemble fine meal. Pour the crumbs into a 9-inch springform pan. Pour the melted butter over the mixture, bring together with your fingers and press into the bottom of the pan.
• Cook's Note: Feel free to experiment with other graham crackers or cookies. Swap cinnamon or chocolate graham crackers for the original graham crackers for a tasty twist.
• For the cheesecake: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on high speed until fluffy. Reduce the speed and, with the mixer running, add the eggs. Increase the speed to incorporate the eggs. Add in the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk and maple syrup. Next, add in the cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Beat the mixture for awhile; this will make the cheesecake light and fluffy. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared crust. Tap the pan lightly on the work surface to remove any air pockets.
• Bake until the center appears nearly set, but jiggles a little when shaken, 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• For the glaze: In a medium saucepan, combine the cream and maple syrup and bring to a boil. Boil until slightly thickened, 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the pecan pieces. Cover and chill. Stir together before serving.
• To serve: Spoon the maple pecan glaze over the cheesecake.

Steps:

• Make praline:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Stir sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar melts and mixture comes to boil; boil 1 minute without stirring. Mix in pecans. Spread mixture on prepared baking sheet. Bake until sugar syrup bubbles vigorously, about 8 minutes. Cool praline completely. Break into pieces. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight.)
• Make crust:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Stir cookie crumbs and cinnamon in medium bowl to blend. Add butter; stir until crumbs are moistened. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up sides of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Bake crust until set, about 8 minutes. Cool. Double-wrap outside of pan with heavy-duty foil. Place in large roasting pan.
• Make filling:
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in flour and spices. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in pumpkin, bourbon and vanilla. Transfer to crust.
• Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to reach 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Bake cake in water bath until center is just set, adding more water to roasting pan as needed, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Remove cheesecake from water. Cool in pan on rack. Remove foil. Run small sharp knife between cake and pan sides. Chill until cold; then cover and chill overnight.
• Release pan sides. Place cake on platter. Sprinkle praline over, leaving 1-inch plain border at edge. Cut cake into wedges.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. In small bowl, mix crust ingredients. Press on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla with electric mixer on medium until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Beat in pumpkin and lemon juice. Pour over crust. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until edge is set 2 inches from edge of pan (center will jiggle). Turn oven off; open door 4 inches. Leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes. Run small metal spatula around edge of pan to loosen. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate 6 hours.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup brown sugar, the whipping cream and 1/4 cup butter to boiling over medium heat, stirring often. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Let stand 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove side of springform pan; place cheesecake on serving plate. Pour topping over cheesecake, spreading to within 1/4 inch of edge. Garnish with pecan halves, if desired.