Pumpkin Amaretto Cheesecake from Polly’s Slow Food in Saint Paul

Pumpkin Amaretto Cheesecake

Served at Polly's Slow Food in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Servings: 16

Ingredients

Crust:
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2½ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ cup butter, melted
Filling:
  • 1½ pound cream cheese, softened
  • 1⅓ cup sugar
  • 6 eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin
  • 2 tablespoons light molasses
  • ½ cup amaretto
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
Amaretto Whipped Cream:
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon amaretto
  • powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

  • In a bowl mix crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and melted butter. Pat mixture in the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan; set aside. 
  • In a bowl beat cream cheese to soften, then beat in sugar until smooth. Add eggs slowly and continue beating. Blend in salt, pumpkin, molasses, Amaretto and almond extract; beat until smooth.
  • Pour mixture over crust in springform pan. Bake 1-1½ hours at 350°.
  • Turn off the oven and leave cheesecake in the oven for an hour without opening the oven door.
  • Remove cheesecake from the oven; let it cool completely and remove the outer ring of the pan.
  • Whip the cream and amaretto until almost stiff. Add a little powdered sugar to taste if you wish.
  • Serve each slice with a dollop of amaretto whip cream.