Pumpkin Cheesecake

 

1 3/4

cups graham cracker crumbs (about 24 squares)

2

tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2

cup butter or margarine, melted

1/4

cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2

teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2

tablespoons brandy, if desired

1

can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

4

packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1

cup packed brown sugar

2/3

cup granulated sugar

5

eggs

• 1 Heat oven to 325°F. Grease 9-inch springform pan with shortening. In small bowl, mix cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and the melted butter. Press crumb mixture in bottom of pan. Wrap foil around outside of pan to prevent drips. Bake crust 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 5 minutes at room temperature. Refrigerate about 5 minutes or until completely cooled.
• 2 Meanwhile, in another small bowl, mix flour, pumpkin pie spice, brandy and pumpkin; set aside. In large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in brown sugar and 2/3 cup granulated sugar until smooth. On low speed, beat in 1 egg at a time just until blended. Gradually beat in pumpkin mixture until smooth.
• 3 Pour filling over crust. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes or until set but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Turn oven off; open oven door at least 4 inches. Let cheesecake remain in oven 30 minutes.
• 4 Run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on wire rack 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.
• 5 To serve, run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Carefully remove side of pan before cutting cheesecake. Store covered in refrigerator.