Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 16 squares)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• GLAZE:
• 1/2 cup vanilla or white chips
• 1 tablespoon shortening

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the pumpkin, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into crust. Return to baking sheet.
• Bake at 325° 45-50 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.
• Remove sides of pan. For glaze, melt chips and shortening in a small heavy saucepan or microwave; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cheesecake. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake published in Country Woman Christmas Annual 1999, p43