pumpkin-cheesecake-bars.md

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Source: Cook's Illustrated

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Ingredients

• 1 (15-ounce) can unsweetened pumpkin puree

• 2 t pumpkin pie spice

• 0.5 t salt

• 15 whole graham crackers, broken into 1-inch pieces

• 0.25 cup (1 3/4 ounces)

• 1 t ground ginger

• 8 T butter, melted

• 1 lb cream cheese, softened

• 1.33 cups (9 1/3 ounces) sugar

• 1 t lemon juice

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Directions

1. Combine pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in small saucepan. Cook mixture, stirring constantly, over medium heat until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 6 to 8 minutes. Let mixture cool for 1 hour.
2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Make foil sling for 13 by 9 in baking pan. Grease aluminum foil.
3. Process graham crackers, 0.25 cup sugar, and ginger in food processor to fine crumbs, about 15s.
4. Add butter and pulse until combined, about 5 pulses.
5. Sprinkle mixture into prepared pan and press into even layer. Bake until just starting to brown, 15 to 18min. Let crust cool completely on wire rack.
6. Using stand mixer fitted with paddle,beat cream cheese and remaining 1 1/3 cups sugar on medium-low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, vanilla, and pumpkin mixture and beat until combined. Increase speed to medium; add eggs, one at a time; and beat until incorporated.
7. Pour over cooled crust and spread into even layer. Bake until edges are slightly puffed and center is just set, 45 to 50 minutes.
8. Let cheesecake cool in pan on wire rack for 2 hours.
9. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate cheesecake for at least 3 or up to 24hrs.
10. Using foil overhang, lift cheesecake out of pan. Cut into 24 pieces before serving.