1 1/2cupscinnamon graham cracker crumbs, about 10 crackers
1/4cupbutter, melted
32ouncescream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/2cupsour cream
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1/2cupwhite granulated sugar
1/2cuppacked dark brown sugar
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
1teaspoonground nutmeg
1/4teaspooneach: ground ginger, all spice
4large eggs, at room temperature
1 3/4cuppureed pumpkin
For Whipped Cream:
1cupheavy cream
1cupconfectioner's sugar
1/2teaspoonvanilla extract
sprinkle of cinnamon
For Serving:
1/4cupcaramel sauce
Instructions
For Graham Cracker Crust:
Preheat oven to 325F. Line a 9 or 10-inch spring form pan with parchment paper. Wrap the outside of the pan with a double layer of foil, in preparation for the water bath.
In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter. If you don't have cinnamon graham crackers, add as sprinkle of cinnamon to the crumbs. Mix together until all the crumbs are coated. Transfer into prepared pan and using a large spoon, press the mixture down, creating an even and firm crust; set aside. (To make your own graham cracker crumbs, place 10 whole crackers into a food processor and pulse until you have fine crumbs)
For Pumpkin Cheesecake:
Place softened cream cheese into mixer bowl and beat for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is very light and fluffy; scrap down sides of bowl often. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat for a few minutes more. In a small bowl, combine the sugars and spices, then add to the cream cheese. Mix until well combined.
Add the eggs; mix. Add the pumpkin puree; mix. Scrap down sides of bowl to get all the ingredients combined. You want a smooth and fluffy cheesecake filling. Pour filling into prepared pan and smooth off the top with a spatula. Tap the pan a few times, then let the cake stand for 10 minutes to release any trapped air bubbles.
Baking & Serving:
Prepare the water bath. Place the cheesecake into a large baking pan and add about an inch of water.
Bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven at 325F for 30 minutes, then turn oven temperature down to 300F and bake for 1 hour. After 1 hour, turn oven off, crack open the oven door and let cheesecake cool in the oven for another hour. Remove cheesecake from oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, place into refrigerator to chill overnight.
Once chilled, run a spatula or knife along the edge of the pan to release the cake from the sides and lift off spring form ring. Transfer cheesecake to cake stand or dessert platter.
For the whipped cream: place the cream, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon into a mixer bowl and whisk on high speed until soft whipped cream forms.
When serving cheesecake, drizzle caramel sauce over each slice, followed by a dollop of whipped cream.