PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CRUST RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven 350°F Mix chocolate wafer crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press mixture firmly onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake until crust is set. about 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool crust completely.
• In a bowl, stir together pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, and vanilla. Set aside.
• In another large bowl, mix sugar, cornstarch, spices, and salt. Add cheese and beat on high speed until smooth. Take 1/4 of the cheese mixture and set aside for topping.
• With mixer running at low speed, add pumpkin mixture to the cheese mixture and mix until combined and smooth.
• Place springform pan with prepared crust on baking sheet (in case it leaks). Pour pumpkin mixture into pan. Drop dollops of the reserved cheese mixture over the pumpkin mixture. use a think metal spatula or a knife to gently pull the cheese dollops through the pumpkin to make swirls.
• Bake at 350°F for 50 - 60 minutes or until center of cheesecake is just set. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes. Cover and chill for a couple of hours. Remove sides of springform pan.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Wrap the outside of a springform pan with aluminum foil.
• Combine graham crackers, cocoa powder, 1 cup sugar, and butter in a food processor and pulse to fine consistency. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned and toasted, about 15 minutes.
• Remove crust from oven and spread chocolate chips in a single layer over the crust bottom, leaving 1/2-inch rim at edges; cool to room temperature.
• Beat cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, scraping sides frequently to ensure evenness and no lumps. Beat in 1 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla extract, and maple extract; add pumpkin puree and beat to combine. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated and scraping the bowl each time. Add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt; beat once more until well distributed.
• Pour filling over cooled crust. Place pie pan in a baking dish and gently pour boiling water into the baking dish to come half-way up sides of the springform pan.
• Bake in preheated oven until edges are puffed and surface of cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, about 55 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature in the oven with the door open, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.