Emeril Lagasse's Pumpkin Cheesecake
This Unique Holiday Dessert is a Sure Winner
From the Kitchen of Emeril Lagasse
Servings: Over 8
Difficulty: Easy
Cook Time: 60-120 min
Emeril Lagasse has combined two great flavors that go great
together for an amazing dessert.
Lagasse's Pumpkin Cheesecake will become your new favorite
dessert. Give his recipe a whirl this fall. It's great for
holiday dinners and parties.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup pecans, finely ground
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 15-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin purée
1/4 cup heavy cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Combine the cracker crumbs, pecans, brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon
of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in the melted butter. Press
the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and about 1 inch up
the sides of an ungreased 9-inch springform pan.
Beat the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, the remaining
½ teaspoon cinnamon, and the nutmeg in the bowl of an electric
mixer on low speed until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the
Emeril Lagasse's Pumpkin Cheesecake - continued(page 2)
sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and yolks and beat just
until blended. Mix in the pumpkin and cream. Spread the batter in
the pan, and place it on a baking sheet.
Bake until the center is nearly set, 60 to 70 minutes. Cool on a
wire rack for 15 minutes.
Carefully run a sharp knife between the cake and the sides of the
pan. Remove the sides of the pan. Cool completely on the rack
before covering tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Refrigerate until well chilled before serving, at least 4 hours
or up to 2 days.
Recipe excerpted from Prime Time Emeril, by Emeril Lagasse,
William Morrow, 2001©