The creamiest, dreamiest pumpkin cheesecake with a graham cracker and toasted hazelnut crust, topped with cinnamon whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts.
Servings 8slices
Author Amee
Ingredients
Graham Cracker and Hazelnut Crust:
1cupgraham cracker crumbs(from about 9 whole graham cracker sheets)
Preheat oven to 350F. Place ¾ cup hazelnuts (½ cup for crust and ¼ cup for garnish) on a baking sheet. Toast hazelnuts for 10-12 minutes, or until slightly golden and fragrant.
Place the toasted hazelnuts in a kitchen towel and rub to remove skins. Allow hazelnuts to cool completely. Hazelnuts can be toasted ahead of time and stored in an airtight container after cooling.
For Crust:
If you haven't already from the hazelnuts, preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9" springform pan (see note) with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Combine graham crackers, ½ cup toasted hazelnuts, and brown sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Process until finely ground.
Add melted butter and pulse to incorporate, making sure the mixture is completely coated in butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Place pan on a baking sheet and bake 10 minutes, or until slightly golden.
For Cheesecake:
Combine cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Combine at low speed, then increase to medium until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves) and salt. Mix briefly to combine.
Add pumpkin and mix to combine. Add eggs, one at a time, allowing the first egg to incorporate before adding the second. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add sour cream, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Mix to incorporate.
Pour filling into prepared crust. Wrap the bottom and up the sides of the pan in at least two layers of heavy-duty foil to keep the water bath out of the cheesecake (see note on springform pan).
Place the cheesecake in a water bath (see notes) in the preheated oven. Bake until cheesecake is just set, but still wobbly in the center, about 1 hour.
Turn off the oven. With the oven door slightly ajar, leave the cheesecake to slowly cool in the oven for 1 hour.
Remove the pan from the oven and run a thin knife around the edge of the cheesecake to be sure it is released from the pan. Allow the cheesecake to cool on a rack to room temperature. Once at room temperature, chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight).
For Whipped Cream/Topping:
Place cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and cinnamon in the bowl of a stand mixer. Start the mixer on low speed, and gradually increase the speed to high. Whip until the cream thickens and forms peaks.
After it has chilled, top the cheesecake with the cinnamon whipped cream and chopped toasted hazelnuts. Sprinkle with additional ground cinnamon, if desired.Enjoy!
Notes
Note on springform pan: You can use a standard 9" springform pan with removeable bottom, but I LOVE my "push pan." This pan's bottom has a silicone seal that's waterproof, so you can set the pan directly into the water bath and have no worries about water leaking in! If you're interested in getting one for yourself, you can find one [here].Note on hazelnuts: I can rarely find hazelnuts at my local grocery store. If you can’t find them, they’re online [here]. Notes on water bath: Baking the cheesecake in a water bath helps to ensure gentle, even baking and helps to avoid cracks in the top of your cheesecake.I place my 9" cheesecake pan into a larger roasting pan in the oven, then fill the roasting pan with hot water about halfway up the side of the cheesecake pan (be careful that you don't pour any water into the cheesecaeke!). If you're using a conventional springform pan, you will need to wrap the bottom of the pan in at least two layers of heavy duty foil prior to placing it in the water bath. If you prefer not to wrap your pan and place it directly into the water, you could try putting a pan of water on the rack below the cheesecake. It won't provide the same insurance policy as baking it in the water bath, but it will help.Safety notes: Always fill the pan while it's in the oven (I use a large pitcher) so you don't have to cross your kitchen with a large pan of hot water. Similarly, remove only the cheesecake from the oven once it's done baking, and not the whole roaster. Leave the larger pan with the hot water in the oven to cool before attempting to remove it.