cookPumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Gingersnap Crust

Creamy pumpkin filling over a ginger cookie crust provides a comforting balance of sweetness and spice. From: Saveur SERVES 8

4 cups finely crushed gingersnaps (about 60 cookies)
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp. grated ginger
1 lb. cream cheese, softened
½ cup packed light brown sugar
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. kosher salt
⅛ tsp. ground allspice
⅛ tsp. ground cloves
¾ cup fresh or canned pumpkin purée
2 eggs
Whipped cream, for serving (optional)

Heat oven to 325°. Mix gingersnaps and butter in a bowl; press crumbs into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 10" springform or tart pan. Bake until crust is just set, 8–10 minutes; let cool.

Pass grated ginger through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing on and discarding solids; set ginger extract aside. Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, salt, allspice, and cloves in a bowl until combined. Beat in reserved ginger extract and pumpkin until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour filling into crust and smooth top with a rubber spatula. Bake until lightly browned on top and center of filling is just set, about 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature; cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if you like.

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