Pumpkin Eggnog Cheesecake

Submitted by Pinay0618

"Recipe from thatsmyhome.com."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• Crust

• 20 gingersnaps
• 1⁄2 cup walnuts
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• Filling

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 (16 ounce) can solid-pack pumpkin (not pumpkin-pie mix)
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup prepared eggnog
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• walnuts (to garnish)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Spray 9" by 3" springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In food processor with knife blade attached, blend gingersnaps, walnuts, and 1/4 cup sugar until finely ground; stir in margarine or butter. Press mixture onto bottom and 2 1/2 inches up side of springform pan; set aside.
3. In small bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually beat in 3/4 cup sugar until soft peaks form; set aside.
4. In large bowl, with same beaters and with mixer at medium speed, beat egg yolks, pumpkin, cream cheese, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg until well blended. Fold egg-white mixture into cream-cheese mixture; pour into springform pan. Bake 1 hour & 30 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from edge of cheesecake comes out clean. Cool cheesecake in pan on wire rack.
5. In small saucepan, mix eggnog, cornstarch, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. Over medium heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer 1 minute or until mixture thickens. Let stand 10 minutes to cool slightly. Remove side of springform pan from cheesecake; spread eggnog mixture over cheesecake. Garnish with walnuts. Refrigerate cheesecake at least 4 hours or until well chilled.