Spiced Pumpkin-Swirl Cheesecake Recipe

Prep Time: 55 Minutes
Bake Time: 1 hour + Cooling
Makes: 12 Servings

Ingredients: 
- 2 Cups of Pecan Halves; Toasted
- 2 Tbsp. of Brown Sugar
- 3 Tbsp. of Butter; Melted
Filling Ingredients: 
- 3 Pkg. (8 oz each) of Cream Cheese; Softened
- 1 Cup of Packed Brown Sugar; Divided
- 3/4 Cup of Sour Cream
- 2 Tsp. of Vanilla Extract
- 3 Eggs; Lightly Beaten
- 1 Cup of Canned Pumpkin
- 1 Tsp. of Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 Tsp. of Ground Ginger
- 1/4 Tsp. of Ground Cloves
- 1/4 Tsp. of Ground Nutmeg

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325F. Place a greased 9-inch springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18-in square). Wrap foil securely around pan.

2. Place pecans and brown sugar in a food processor; pulse until fine crumbs form. Add butter; pulse to combine. Press onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a wire rack.

3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup of brown sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended.

4. In another bowl, combine the pumpkin, spices and remaining brown sugar. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture.

5. To layer, pour 1 1/2 cups of the plain cream cheese mixture over the crust. Gently spread 1 1/3 cups of the pumpkin mixture over top. Repeat these layers. Cut through layers with a knife to swirl. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 inch of hot water to larger pan.

6. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until the center is just set and top appears full. Remove the springform pan from the water bath. Cool cheesecake on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife; remove foil. Cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove rim from pan.

To Toast Nuts: Spread in a 15x10x1-in baking pan. Bake at 350F for 5 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Or, spread in a dry nonstick skillet and heat over low heat until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Bon Appetit!