How are you celebrating National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day on Oct. 21? Really, there is only one way to celebrate this big day.
While pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie are classics this time of year, pumpkin cheesecake is simply deserving of its own day.
FoodNetwork.com has an awesome pumpkin cheesecake recipe you should try to mark the big day.
Here is what you need:
Nonstick cooking spray
8 sheets honey graham crackers
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
12 -ounces one-third less fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 cup low-fat 2-percent Greek-style plain yogurt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
One 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
Directions:
Position the oven racks in the center and lower third of your oven. Fill a roasting pan about half full with water and place on the lower rack. This will create a moist environment for the cheesecake and help prevent cracking. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Put the graham crackers and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a food processor and grind until fine. Add the butter and 2 tablespoons water and pulse until moistened. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until set and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely.
Combine the cream cheese, brown sugar, the remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar and salt in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Add the yogurt, eggs and egg whites, reduce the mixer speed to low and continue to beat until blended. Add the pumpkin, flour, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat until just combined. Stir with a spatula a few times to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated and to release any air bubbles in the batter that could cause the cheesecake to crack.
Pour the batter over the crust and rap the pan against the countertop a few times to bring any trapped air bubbles to the surface. Place the cheesecake on the center rack in the oven. Bake until just set and the center wiggles slightly, 50 to 60 minutes. Turn the oven off and crack the door open. Let sit in the oven for 15 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Run a thin sharp knife between the cheesecake and the pan to release the sides. Cool completely, and then chill until cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Before serving, remove the cheesecake from the refrigerator and release the sides of the pan. Allow the cheesecake to come to room temperature, 30 to 60 minutes. If the top of the cake appears wet, blot with a paper towel to dry. Dust with the confectioners' sugar.
For more great pie (and holiday) recipes, go to FoodNetwork.com/Thanksgiving.
