Pumpkin

//PUMPKIN// It's pumpkin season! Time for pumpkin.. everything! Neutral and sweet, in TCM pumpkin acts on the LUNGS and SPLEEN and is also a QI and BLOOD tonic. It dries up the dampness in the body by encouraging the body to sweat it out.

Now for my favourite pumpkin dessert that I only get to indulge in this time of year. Mmmmmm

PUMPKIN PIE CHEESE CAKE

1 1⁄2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup sugar, plus
1 tablespoon sugar
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
1⁄4 teaspoon allspice
whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Make the crust by combining the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and 1 T sugar in a medium bowl.
Stir well enough to coat all of the crumbs with the butter, but not so much as to turn the mixture into paste.
Keep it crumbly.
Put foil partway up the outside part of an 8-inch springform pan.
Press the crumbs onto the bottom and about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the springform pan.
You don't want the crust to form all of the way up the back of each slice of cheesecake.
Bake the crust for 5 minutes, then set aside until you are ready to fill it.
In a large mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, 1 C sugar, and vanilla.
Mix with an electric mixer until smooth.
Add the pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and continue beating until smooth and creamy.
Pour the filling into the pan.
Bake for 60-70 minutes.
The top will turn a bit darker at this point.
Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool.
When the cheesecake has come to room temperature, put it into the refrigerator.
When the cheesecake has chilled, remove the pan sides and cut the cake into 8 equal pieces.
Serve with a generous portion of whipped cream on top.