Perfect for a special occasion or holiday, this Larger-Than-Life Praline Cheesecake is sure to impress!
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour
Total Time 6 hourshours
Servings 14-16 servings
Calories
Author Deborah Harroun
Ingredients
Crust
2cupscrushed graham crackers
1/2cup1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1/4cupsugar
1tablespoonground cinnamon
Pumpkin Filling
38-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/3cupssugar
3large eggs
1teaspoonvanilla extract
115-ounce can pure pumpkin
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
1/2teaspoonground nutmeg
1/2teaspoonground ginger
Praline Topping
1cuppecans
1/2cupfirmly packed brown sugar
3/4cupheavy whipping cream
1tablespoonunsalted butter
1tablespoonvanilla extract
1/4teaspoonsalt
Instructions
To make the crust: Line the bottom of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray or Baker’s Joy. In a large bowl, stir together the crushed graham crackers with the melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
To make the filling: Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl on medium-high speed about 1 minute, until fluffy. Add the sugar and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time, beating on medium-high for 20 seconds after each addition. Add the vanilla, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger; beat on medium speed about 1 minute, until incorporated.
Pour the filling over the crust. Put the springform pan into a larger baking pan and set it on the center rack of the oven. Pour enough boiling water into the larger pan to reach halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake about 1 hour, until the filling is set and golden brown on top. Cool the cheesecake on a rack about 30 minutes, then chill for several hours or overnight. Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and set it on a serving plate.
To make the praline topping: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer and toast them for 7 to 9 minutes, until golden brown and aromatic. Coarsely chop the nuts.
Stir together the brown sugar, cream, and butter in a saucepan set over medium heat. Boil the mixture for about 1 1/2 minutes, adjusting the heat to make sure it does not boil over. Do not stir. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, and pecans. Cool the topping at least 15 minutes before pouring over the top of the chilled cheesecake. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve. The cheesecake will keep, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.