Fall Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Notes: If making individual cheesecakes ahead, chill airtight in pans up to 1 day. Freeze in pans up to 1 week; thaw, wrapped, in the refrigerator for 12 to 18 hours. If desired, reheat in a 325° oven for 10 to 12 minutes. To make a large, single cheesecake (to serve up to 12), use a 9-inch tart pan with removable rim. In step 2 reduce butter to about 1 tablespoon and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans in pan. Bake in a 325° oven as directed in step 4 for 50 to 55 minutes. Cut into wedges.

Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings (see notes)

Ingredients

• 2  cups  pecan halves
• About 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
• 2  packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese
• 2/3  cup  plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3  tablespoons  brandy or Cognac
• 3  tablespoons  maple syrup
• 2  large eggs
• 1  can (15 oz.) pumpkin
• 2  tablespoons  whipping cream or milk
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground ginger
• 1/4  teaspoon  fresh-grated nutmeg
• 2  tablespoons  chopped crystallized ginger
• 2  cups  (1 pt.) sour cream

Preparation

1. In a 350° oven, bake pecans in an 8- or 9-inch-wide pan, shaking often, until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes. Pour from pan. When cool, whirl in a blender or food processor until finely ground.

2. Brush interiors of 10 tart pans (4 1/2 in. wide with removable rims; see notes) with the melted butter. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons ground toasted pecans over bottom of each pan. Set pans slightly apart on 2 baking sheets (14 by 17 in.).

3. In a bowl, with a mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese to blend with 2/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons brandy, and 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Add eggs, pumpkin, cream, cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg; stir to mix, then beat until well blended. Fill tart pans equally with cheesecake mixture.

4. Bake in a 325° oven until centers no longer jiggle when pans are gently shaken, 20 to 25 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix remaining 1/2 cup chopped pecans and the crystallized ginger.

6. In another bowl, mix sour cream with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon brandy, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Spoon mixture equally onto cheesecakes and spread level. Sprinkle pecan-ginger mixture equally over sour cream topping.

7. Return tarts to oven and bake to firm sour cream topping slightly, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool at least 30 minutes. Serve warm, or cover airtight without touching tops, and chill until cold, at least 2 hours or up to 1 day. To serve, remove pan rims and set cheesecakes on plates.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

465 (72% from fat)

Protein:

6.9g

Fat:

37g (sat 16)

Carbohydrate:

28g

Fiber:

1.9g

Sodium:

168mg

Cholesterol:

102mg