Recipe: Halloween Pumpkin Cheesecake

HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 c. plus 1 tbsp. sugar
6 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
16 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. each ginger & nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 pt. sour cream (2 c.)
1 tsp. vanilla
Whipped cream; toasted, sliced &
whole unblanched almonds (optional garnishes)

Mix crumbs with 1 tablespoon sugar and the melted butter until blended. Press onto bottom of 8 or 9 inch springform pan; chill. Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, spices and salt. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Pour into prepared crust. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 50 minutes. Remove cake; raise oven temperature to 400 degrees. Mix well sour cream, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the vanilla. Spread over filling. Bake 8 minutes. Cool cake on rack. Remove sides of pan; chill cake. Before serving, garnish with border of whipped cream and/or almonds. Makes 12 servings.