Pumpkin Walnut Cheesecake  

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 5 eggs, lightly beaten
• TOPPING:
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

• Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin, cream, cinnamon and cloves until blended. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
• Bake at 325° for 1 hour. For topping, in a small bowl, combine butter and brown sugar. Stir in walnuts. Carefully sprinkle over hot cheesecake.
• Bake 30 minutes longer or until center is just set. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan. Yield: 12 servings.