Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap-Walnut Crust Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap-Walnut Crust Recipe. Enjoy our collection of Christmas dessert recipes and learn how to make Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap-Walnut Crust. 


We pulled out a few of our favorite EatingWell tricks to achieve plenty of creaminess in our pumpkin cheesecake without all the saturated fat of a typical recipe: nutrient-packed canned pumpkin and pureed nonfat cottage cheese replace some of the cream cheese. A touch of pumpkin pie spice warms up the flavor. For the crust, shop the natural-foods section for gingersnaps without any hydrogenated oil. Simple toasted walnuts are an elegant garnish. Or try making candied walnuts. Just be careful not to eat all of them before they make it to the cake!

12 servings

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 7 hours

Ingredients

4 ounces gingersnap cookies (18-20 1 3/4-inch cookies)
1 cup walnut halves, divided
4 teaspoons walnut oil or canola oil
12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 16-ounce container nonfat cottage cheese
1 15-ounce can unseasoned pumpkin puree

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Tightly wrap the outside of the pan bottom and sides with heavy-duty foil to help keep the water bath from leaking into the cake. Put a kettle of water on to boil for the water bath.

Grind cookies and 1/3 cup walnuts to a fine meal in a food processor. Drizzle in oil and process, scraping the sides as needed, until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Place the pan in a roasting pan and set aside. Clean the food processor.

Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until the spice is incorporated. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until completely smooth, scraping down the sides occasionally. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides occasionally. Beat in vanilla.

Process cottage cheese in the food processor until completely smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides once. Gradually beat the cottage cheese and pumpkin puree into the cream cheese mixture on medium speed. Scrape down the sides and beat a final time to make sure no streaks remain. Pour the batter into the crust.

Pour enough boiling water into the roasting pan to come 1 inch up the side of the springform pan to create a hot water bath for the cake. Carefully transfer the roasting pan to the oven. Bake the cheesecake in the center of the oven until it’s set around the edges but the center still jiggles slightly, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Let the cake cool in the water bath until the water is room temperature. Coarsely chop the remaining 2/3 cup walnuts. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the water bath. Remove the foil. Place the nuts decoratively around the edge of the cheesecake. (Alternatively, turn the nuts into Candied Walnuts and decorate just before serving; see Variation.) Refrigerate, uncovered, until very cold, at least 4 hours. Wrap tightly and refrigerate overnight if desired.

To serve, remove the sides of the pan. Transfer the cheesecake to a cake stand, if desired.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. | Equipment: 9-inch springform pan

Variation: To make Candied Walnuts: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; coat with cooking spray. Combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon water and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large heavy skillet. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture turns golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 2/3 cup walnut halves, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring, until deep golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes more. Turn the mixture out on the prepared baking sheet, spreading in an even layer. When completely cooled, break into clusters.

Nutrition

Per serving: 307 calories; 16 g fat ( 5 g sat , 4 g mono ); 70 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrates; 19 g added sugars; 10 g protein; 2 g fiber; 295 mg sodium; 270 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (117% daily value)

Carbohydrate Servings: 2

Exchanges: 2 carbohydrate (other), 3 fat

From EatingWell:  November/December 2011 

More from Lebanese Recipes kitchen:

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Chocolate Cheesecake Candy Cane Bars
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Christmas cake pops

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