pumpkin tart with gingersnap crust

creamy rich pumpkin flavor with a snappy crust

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• Crust

• 4  cups  finely crushed  gingersnaps
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, melted

• Filling

• 1  tablespoon  grated fresh ginger
• 1  lb cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄2 cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1  pinch  of grated nutmeg
• 1  pinch ground allspice
• 1  pinch ground cloves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
• 2  large eggs

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. To make the crust, combine the gingersnap crumbs with the melted butter and toss together until the mixture holds together when pressed.
3. Add an additional tablespoon of melted butter if necessary.
4. Pat evenly over the bottom and halfway up the sides of 8 (4 1/2-inch) tartlet pans.
5. Bake about 7 minutes, or until set.
6. Remove from oven.
7. To make the filling: Press the grated ginger against the mesh of a fine sieve into a small bowl, pressing hard to extract all the juice.
8. Set the ginger juice aside and discard the pulp.
9. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves, and salt.
10. Beat until creamy and well combined, then add the ginger juice and the pumpkin puree and beat again.
11. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after you add the first one, but do not overbeat the mixture.
12. Pour the filling into the tart pans and return them to the oven.
13. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the center is just firm to the touch.
14. Cool to room temperature, then chill for up to 2 hours or overnight before serving.