DJL Dishes Dessert!

Title:  Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
The Dish:  Fall is one of my favorite times of year, mostly because of 2 things: the change in the weather from hot to cool and the appearance of pumpkin products on the shelves.  I'm a big fan of pumpkin dishes, mostly in the way of desserts, but I wouldn't mind trying something savory with pumpkin sometime.  For now, though I'll stick with the sweet side of pumpkin.

Speaking of which, there is nothing quite as sweet or decadent as cheesecake, and when you combine that with the awesome flavor of autumn that is pumpkin, people get one amazing tour for the senses.  There is just something about using pumpkin in something as rich and sumptuous as cheesecake that just makes my mouth water.  I found this recipe on Kraft Foods and decided to make it for a special occasion at work, so here's hoping that everyone will enjoy it!

Ingredients:
-25 NABISCO Ginger Snaps, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)

-1/2 cup  finely chopped PLANTERS Pecans

-1/4 cup butter, melted

-4 pkg.  (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

-1 cup sugar, divided

-1 tsp.  vanilla

-4 eggs

-1 cup  canned pumpkin

-1 tsp. ground cinnamon

-1/4 tsp.  ground nutmeg

-Dash ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Mix crumbs, melted butter, and pecans, pressing the mixture into the bottom of the pan.  Use   

either a 13x9 inch rectangle pan or a 9-inch spring-form pan.

3. Beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup of sugar, and vanilla using a mixer until just blended.  Add eggs one at a time, beating after each egg until just blended.  Remove 1 1/2 cups of batter and set aside.  Stir in remaining sugar, pumpkin, and spices into remaining batter. 

4. Spoon half of the pumpkin batter onto crust, topping with spoonfuls of the plain batter.  Repeat layers, and then swirl with a knife. 

5. Bake for 45 minutes (with 13x9 inch pan) or 55 minutes to 1 hour and 5 minutes (with spring-form pan) until center is almost set.  Cool completely.  Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all!