Ginger Crust
2 cups ginger cookies, ground
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. ground ginger
¼ cup butter, melted
Cheesecake filling
2 – 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 – 15 oz can pumpkin (Store extra pumpkin in freezer in bags measured out for recipe because it only lasts about 1 week in the fridge)
1 cup sour cream
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp ginger
½ tsp. cloves
½ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. salt
whipped cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To make crust grind ginger cookies in a blender or food processor until fine. Mix in brown sugar and ginger. Add melted butter and blend thoroughly. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan. Bake 10 minutes. Turn oven down to 325 degrees and allow the crust to cool while you are making the filling.
With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. In a separate bowl, blend pumpkin and sour cream with spices and salt, mixing well. Stir gently into the cream cheese mixture by hand. Pour cream cheese filling into the crust. Place a large piece of aluminum foil on your counter. Wrap the pan tightly with the foil. Place cheesecake in a large roasting pan. Fill the pan with very hot water (1 inch up the side of springform pan) to make a water bath. Bake cheesecake 1 hour. Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in oven to cool for 1 more hour. Chill in the refrigerator. Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream, if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers. Serves 10-12.