A Southern Grace: if looks were everything...

February 22, 2010

if looks were everything...

Yum

...I'd be all over this.

It's almost like it's looking right back at ya...
Wouldn't you say that's pretty easy on the eyes?

Sadly, it has two things going against it in my book--a)it's cheesecake (which, as you may recall, ranks pretty low on my list of cake preferences), and b)it's flavored with pumpkin, which I've never particularly liked. Regardless of the fact that it's not my cup of tea (or slice of cake, as the case may be), I know from various samplers that it's magnificent. It was made as a special birthday treat, and everyone (except me) gnawed away at it with their eyes glazed over. Apparently it was particularly decadent with some peach preserves spooned over the top.

Blimpage.
Who says pumpkin has to be limited to the fall? That's like saying eggs should be limited to breakfast and cinnamon only belongs in desserts. Utter drivel. Gobbledygook. Nonsense. Hogwash.

Pretty Pumpkin (wince) Cheesecake (double wince)
(based almost entirely on this recipe)

Crust:
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Filling:
1 1/2 cups canned solid-pack pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, at room temperature (I used one full fat and two low fat)

Topping:
2 cups sour cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon bourbon

To make the crust: Grease up a 9-inch springform pan.
Stir together the graham cracker crumbs, chopped pecans, sugars, and butter in a bowl until combined well. Press this crumb mixture evenly onto the bottom and about 1/2" up the side of the pan. Chill the crust for 1 hour.

To make the filling: Preheat the oven to 350°F and put a rack in the middle position.
Whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, brown sugar, milk, vanilla, and bourbon in a bowl until combined.
In a large bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Add the softened cream cheese to the dry ingredients and beat with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and add the pumpkin mixture; beat until smooth.
Pour the filling into the chilled crust, smooth the top, and either put the springform pan into a shallow baking pan or place a pan on the lower rack in case the springform leaks. Bake until the center is just set, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool for 5 minutes, making sure to leave the oven on.

To make the topping: Whisk together the sour cream, sugar, and bourbon in a bowl, then spread on top of cheesecake and bake 5 additional minutes.
Cool the cheesecake completely in a pan on the rack for about 3 hours.
Cover and chill the beauty until cold, at least 4 hours. Remove the side of the pan and bring the cake to room temperature before slicing and serving.

99 comments:

Lucie said...

Ohhh I'd say it looks delicious! I can't imagine myself not liking pumpkin or cheesecake, but then again I'm one of the few on earth who doesn't appreciate bananas, so...

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

I've known several individuals that just don't like pumpkin....I am not one of those individuals :) Now, I can't say I've met too many people that don't like cheesecake, but we can be friends and you can give me all your cheesecake :) Seriously, I think your cheesecake looks wonderful!! I bet that bourbon topping is to die for!

Barbara said...

The minute I saw cheesecake I thought: Grace doesn't like cheesecake. And then pumpkin as well? But it does look wonderful and probably tastes divine too! I love pumpkin anything, am not overly fond of cheesecake but together they may make music. I love to see glazed-over eyes in my guests!

tamilyn said...

I'm not a big pumpkin fan, but love how it smells. The boys at work do like pumpking and cheesecake, so this may be right up their alley! And I still have two bags of pumpkin puree in the freezer.....

♥peachkins♥ said...

I love cheesecake but I've never tried pumpkin cheesecake. It looks really great.

Pam said...

It looks sinfully good and would be hard to resist!

M D said...

Lovely cheesecake! Do you suggest any other fruit substitutions for pumpkins? I dislike them too :(

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

It looks fantastic! I'm a fan of both, so that cheesecake would be for me!

Cheers,

Rosa

Meseidy said...

I just finished working out and I ask myself why I torture myself, then I see delicious things like this and I remember. This way I can eat this and jiggle a little less. :D Beautiful!

Cara said...

I love pumpkin and eat it year round! I am with you, no need to segregate it to the fall season.

kat said...

Oh I'd be all over this, pumpkin cheesecakes is so good! sorry its not your favorite

amanda @ fake ginger.com said...

I'm going to have to unsubscribe from your blog now that I know you don't like cheesecake OR pumpkin, two of my favorites. ;)

It looks so so so incredibly delicious!

Albany Jane said...

I'm not a big fan of sour cream topping for cheesecake, but this sounds interesting.

That said, I'm with you on the border of liking-disliking pumpkin. I look forward to it a few times a year, but I don't really think of it as an every day kind of thing.

Amanda said...

I TOTALLY feel the same way!! lol I like cheesecake but its not my fav...and I like pumpkin pie, buts thats about IT with pumpkin flavor. But really, this LOOKS divine... you may have converted me!

Blessings-
Amanda

Lyndas recipe box said...

I love cheesecake- never met one I didn't like...and pumpkin anything is high on my list of flavors that I eat all year long. It's too good to just enjoy in the fall, IMO!
Sorry you aren't crazy about it, Grace- if I was closer, I'd take it off your hands. It looks delish!

Erica said...

My husband would love this one!!!Looks wonderful!

Julie said...

Looking good to me..can I have your slice?

Peter M said...

You is loco...pumpkin and cheesecake rules. Allow me to put things in perspective....fish head staring at you or pumpkin cheesecake? ;)

Kate at Serendipity said...

YOWza, Grace, that thing's pointed right at ME! Put it away, it might be loaded... I'm with you though, why eat pumpkin cheesecake when you can have Chocolate Cardamom Prune Cake? :-))

If I ate cheese cake, though, I'd eat this one.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Now me I LOVE a good cheesecake and pumpkin is one of my favourites...my hipd do no so sluce me a thin slice please and load on the peach preserves...

vanillasugarblog said...

very easy on the eyes.
have you ever had the banana cheesecake at the cheesecake factory? my stars, the best i've had. what a flavor

The Teacher Cooks said...

I love pumpkin anything especially cheesecake!

lisa is cooking said...

It looks fantastic! I'll take your piece, please.

TKW said...

I definitely could not be left alone with that!

Steve Maden said...

This looks incredible. Now i have a craving.
Caviar Merchant Company

Hungry Dog said...

I think it's funny that you made something you're not too keen on. Lucky birthday boy/girl I guess! I don't like cheesecake either, but I do like pumpkin. This looks very pretty indeed!

Lindsey@pickyeatings said...

I happen to love love love cheesecake. But that husband o' mine despises it, so I never get to eat it. Which is probably a good thing, at least for my figure and cholesterol.

Maria said...

I am not a cheesecake fan, but I would be willing to try a bite of this one any day:)

George Gaston said...

Grace, I am with you about pumpkin cheesecake. I'd rather have it in a pie. But I can see why everyone was googlie-eyed over this one; it looks creamy, smooth and light ~ just the way cheesecake should be.

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm sorry Grace, I love pumpkin cheesecake. I'd be all over it.

Sophie said...

Pumpkin year-around is the way it should be. Pumpkin is right up there with cinnamon in my book :D :D.

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

It looks pretty darn good to me :)

Melanie said...

That first picture is killing me. I.Love.It. And since I also happen to love cheesecake AND pumpkin, I'm thinking this could be nearly the most perfect dessert.

pam said...

Well, thank goodness I am not going to hold your ridiculous tastes in desserts against you. Cheesecake - yes. Pumpkin - yes. Pumpkin cheesecake - yes, yes.

Sook said...

How nice of you to share this recipe even though you're not a big fan of cheesecake and pumpkin! :) This looks wonderful! I love pumpkin flavors so I will have to try this sometime.

Judy said...

I love pumpkin and I love cheesecake,this is a winner recipe.

Mini Baker said...

this looks amazing!!!! mmmm i can taste it now!

Pam said...

Great photo! Kate's right, looks loaded! I'm not a cheesecake fan, however a friend is.....I'll keep this in mind for her birthday. good for you Grace, making a cake your not interested in eating.
Pam

Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella said...

Holy macaron! Or should that be holy cheesecake? That looks magnificent Grace. I hope you didn't mind me wolf whistling at it? :P

Mimi said...

Great idea making a cake you don't like, less poundage to worry about. I love cheesecake and I like pumpkin as long as it's not pumpkin pie. so this will do for me.
Mimi

Pam said...

How can you not like pumpkin? I think it looks divine!

Faith said...

I'm not all that fond of pumpkin pie, but pumpkin cheesecake I could definitely go for! That sour cream topping sounds divine!

Chef Aimee said...

I love cheesecake and pumpkin, and I want to marry this pumpkin cheesecake. :) MMMMMM!

Anonymous said...

i love pumpkin cheesecake.
havent had one in ages.
you're making me crave for it!
yours look really beautiful and neat!
love the colour :)

Lori said...

Drool, drool, drool. Oh my! Girl- you go the best goodies around here.

And really anytime you want to visit me and the fam in Rah cha cha for pitas etc. You are more than welcome!

Anonymous said...

I didn't used to like pumpkin but I do now in most preparations :) These cheesecake does sound decadent with the peach preserves!

Carolyn Jung said...

The bourbon is the crowning touch to this delectable-looking cheesecake. I'm with you -- most of us used canned pumpkin anyway, so why limit it to just a couple months a year. Something this good deserves year-round enjoyment.

shaz said...

It sure is pretty. And you made this even though you're not that big a fan of cheesecake and pumpkin? What a star you are Grace! Your cake recipient is so lucky :) (Pssst - can't say I'm that huge a fan of cheesecake either, but I'd definitely have a go at this though)

LillSis said...

Since I'm not a real sweet eater, it just so happens that cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. It's seems more cheesy than sugary, which is why I like it. I do like pumpkin, too, even though I don't cook with it enough. I'm thinkin' that I would LOVE this cheesecake.

bonnie said...

Hello- cheesecake and pumkin--just lovely!!

sweetlife

Ingrid_3Bs said...

LOL, who was the lucky recipient of that cheesecake? It must have been someone utterly fabulous to get you make it for them!
~ingrid

Emily said...

I agree! Why can't we have pumpkin all year? We should! I love it.

This looks aaaamazing.

Anonymous said...

I'm HAPPY it's cheesecake but a little wince-y that it's pumpkin. I believe cheesecake should be purely lemon or blueberry flavoured. Chocolate cheesecake irks me, and I LOVE CHOCOLATE...but for someone who doesnt fancy cheesecake, you surely know how to make a PRETTY one!

CC11 said...

I also am not a huge pumpkin or cheesecake fan - but my dad loves both so this may be a 'for him epsecially' dessert

Gloria Baker said...

I absolutely love this, very,very, very yummy!!

gloria

Chef Jeena said...

I love cheesecake and this sounds as gorgeous as it looks.

I agree with you about pumpkin the year round!

laura said...

This makes me laugh! It has been too long since I have thought over the expression "Gobbledygook". I'm not a huge cheesecake fan either (where's the chocolate? where's the butter and flour?), but I have to say, the pumpkin and bourbon make this one quite redeemable in my book.

oneordinaryday said...

Oh, Grace, you just don't know what you're missing. Pumpkin cheesecake is my favorite cheesecake. Really the only kind I would go out of my way for. Yummy!!!

Marianne Sanders said...

I am a purist about cheesecake. If there is any flavor at all besides just the cheese, maybe a touch of lemon. And raspberry is very good, also. That's it. No chocolate, no caramel, no pumpkin. Otherwise - that looks pretty delish!

La Bella Cooks said...

I can't say that I am the biggest cheesecake fan but I do like most things with pumpkin. This one looks pretty tasty.

Cate O'Malley said...

Like you, I'm not a big cheesecake fan either, but this one sure looks like it may be too hard to resist!

Lisa said...

It is gorgeous, and it has bourbon in it. It can't be all bad. I like cheesecake and, though pumpkin would not be my first choice of flavors, I wouldn't say no to a slice!

red ticking said...

i never met a cheesecake i didn't like... xx

Jaime said...

i love pumpkin cheesecake with caramel sauce drizzled on top! love the first photo.

sorry you don't like cheesecake... i love it but would love it more if it didn't have so many fat calories ;)

Marjie said...

Well, it is beautiful, but I'm a purist. I like my cheesecake straight, without other flavorings. Pumpkin pie, now there's something I adore, too! You can send me your share if you don't like it.

Juliana said...

Grace, your pumpkin cheesecake sure looks delicious...love pumpkin and cheesecake, therefore it is a win win situation here :-)

noble pig said...

I eat pumpkin all year...I will not wince at these ingredients!

Robin said...

You are too funny with your wince and double wince! Pumpkin is good anytime for sure.

Deborah said...

I feel so bad that you don't love cheesecake - it's one of my favorites! But more for me, right?

Unknown said...

brown sugar in the crust and bourbon in the pie? NOW you're talking!! I love cheesecake. Pumpkin isn't my favorite thing but I've always enjoyed a good pumpkin cheesecake. I have a feeling it'd be one of those with their eyes glazed over as I dug into this baby!

Unknown said...

If you bake it, I will come:)

DutchBakerGirl said...

Did you say bourbon? I'll take two pieces, please! Pumpkin is fine year round as long as I haven't overdone it over the holidays...which I did this year. I even put it in lasagne. So now I have to wait until September, then I will like it again. Yours looks pretty fabulous, though!

LaChelle @ SugarDuchess said...

Oh no! Cheesecake and pumpkin are two of the great loves of my baking life! We can still be friends, right? This is getting bookmarked, darn it all... :)

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

I really like pumpkin and cheesecake, though I"m not super fond of the combination. It is pretty and I would eat it if I was at this birthday party....lucky peeps.

Eve said...

That, I would love undoubtably. If ONLY it didn't cost an arm an a leg to buy pumpkin puree in this smelly country!

www.dhaleb.com said...

I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin but this past year, I may have fallen in love. It's actually quite yummy when it's made the right way. Wish I could have a bite of this little treat!

Leslie said...

I woldl totally be allllllll over this!

Cheri said...

It truly is gorgeous. What a great gal you are to bake something that you wouldn't eat yourself... hmm.. that doesn't sound as good as I meant it.

Velva said...

Yes, I would say that this easy on the eyes. In fact, it is more like eye candy!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Grace, I certainly couldn't resist it. That is one gorgeous piece of pie. It gives new meaning to "eye candy".

MaryBeth said...

This is a thing of beauty Miss Grace...I love pumpkin and would eat it all year long if i could.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

It's ok if you don't love cheesecake. I prefer the light airy cheesecake over the New York style. Which sucks since I live in NY and that heavy stuff is crammed down our throats. Why must you love cheesecake that weights 10 lbs. if you live in NY? Long live light airy French style cheesecake! :)

subhashini said...

Yummy yummy and eye catching recipe

Cookie baker Lynn said...

My sister would do your dishes for a month for some of that pumpkin cheesecake. It is quite easy on the eyes.

megan said...

I love pumpkin and cheesecake, so this works for me! I agree that pumpkin shouldn't be limited to the fall :)

hannah queen | honey & jam said...

i love cheesecake AND pumpkin, so i want to gobble this up right now!

Sandie {Inn Cuisine} said...

You don't like pumpkin? Or cheesecake?

I used to be able to agree with you on the pumpkin thing, but I got over that after using pumpkin puree in baked goods (so moist & such a mild pumpkin flavor). As for cheesecakes, I love them, but as with all sweets, a little goes a long way.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Well, it is very pretty but I love cheesecake and I really love pumpkin, so I think this sounds even better than it looks!

Mrs. L said...

Honestly one of the best cheesecakes I've ever had (and I love me some cheesecake) was a Pumpkin flavored one that was brought to a Thanksgiving last year. Yum! I'll have to try this.

a quiet life said...

beyond gorgeous, and yes, i am shallow~

Anonymous said...

My family will gladly take the pumpkin cheesecake burden off your shoulders.

Hornsfan said...

Despite your wincing this looks delicious - while I fail to understand not loving cheesecake I hear there are folks out there like you :) I'll be happy to share your piece!

kimberleyblue said...

Well, I adore cheesecake and pumpkin, so this sounds like it's the ideal cake for me. Peach preserves on top? Mmmmmm and drooooool.

Jennifer said...

Well lucky for me...or maybe not so lucky as I need to work off this winter weight- I love both cheesecake and pumpkin and this looks di-vine!

I'm going to leave now and try really hard not to think of the fact that I have baggies full of homemade pumpkin puree in my freezer just waiting to find a purpose in life :)

Tickled Red said...

Darlin' cheesecake's are my fav! This looks great :) I can't wait to see what else you have made. I'll have to compare this to my pumpkin one.

eep said...

Mmm. That looks amazing. But of course I like cheesecake and pumpkin. :)

jillian said...

I am not wild about cheesecake but anything pumpkin sounds good to me!

Chef Fresco said...

The cake I made for Michael's bday was with bourbon! I also don't love cheesecake but would definitely give this one a try b/c pumpkin is my favorite!

Anonymous said...

I'd be happy to take one for the team and eat your slice in addition to mine. How kind of me. ;)

This looks FAB!