Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake With Candied Cranberry Topping

Sharon123's Note:

I haven't tried this yet, put here for safekeeping! Adapted from Better Homes & Gardens magazine. They say two treasured recipes come together for a light cheesecake that tastes like pumpkin pie!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 35 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 pie

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 1 ½ cups finely crushed gingersnaps (8-9 oz.)
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package low-fat cream cheese , softened
• 1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 5 eggs , slightly beaten

Cranberry Topping

• 1 cup fresh cranberries (or frozen)
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• ½ cup cranberry sauce (or cranberry relish)

Directions:

1. Position two oven racks, one above the other, bottom rack in lowest position. On bottom rack place a 13x9x2 inch baking pan and pour in water to 1" depth.
2. Heat oven to 350*F. To drain pumpkin, line a fine mesh sieve with 100% cotton cheesecloth or a paper coffee filter; set over a bowl. Spoon in pumpkin, set aside while preparing crust.
3. For the crust:.
4. In bowl stir together crushed gingersnaps, butter, and the 2 tbls. of brown sugar. Press the crumb mixture onto bottom and about 1" up the sides of a 9x3" springform pan. Bake 5 minutes or until firm. Cool completely on rack.
5. For filling:.
6. In large bowl beat cream cheese and the 1 1/4 cups brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in pumpkin(discard liquid), flour, and pumpkin pie spice until combined. Stir in eggs by hand.
7. Pour filling into crust lined pan, spreading to sides of pan. Place springform pan on baking sheet then on oven rack above water filled pan. Bake 1 hour or until filling appears set when gently shaken. Turn off the oven; let cheesecake stand in oven 30 minutes. (The top may crack as it cools).
8. Cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. With a small sharp knife, loosen the crust from sides of pan; cool 30 minutes. Remove sides of springform pan; cool completely on rack. Cover and chill at least 4 hours before serving. Serve with Cranberry Topping.
9. To make Cranberry Topping:.
10. In a small saucepan combine 1 cup cranberries and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat 4-5 minutes or until berries begin to pop. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup cranberry sauce or relish. Cool.
11. Makes about 1 1/2 cups topping.