Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake


This didn't photograph that well, BUT the taste is great!  I found the recipe, HERE, on the whole foods website.  They have some great recipes there, check it out!

Ingredients


1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter (4 tablespoons melted, 4 tablespoons softened)

1 cup pumpkin purée

2 (8-ounce) packages Neufchatel or cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
Method

Preheat oven to 400°F. Use a long, thin rectangle of parchment paper or foil to line the inside edge of a 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan and about 1/4-inch up the sides. Bake until golden brown and toasted, 7 to 8 minutes; set aside to let cool completely.


In a medium bowl, beat pumpkin purée, remaining softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla, nutmeg and salt with an electric mixer until smooth. Reduce speed to medium low and add sugar 1/4 cup at a time; beat until smooth. Transfer pumpkin mixture to prepared pan, spreading it out evenly over the crust. Cover and chill until set, about 6 hours, or overnight. Remove outer ring of pan and peel off parchment paper. Cut into slices and serve.