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There is just something about lighting my dessert on fire that kind of intrigues me! Carefully done, the end result sure is yummy! Whether you are serving this up at Thanksgiving or just in the mood for something amazing (I don’t limit my pumpkin consumption to Fall alone!), this Pumpkin Brulee Cheesecake recipe is sure to hit the spot!
Pumpkin Brulee Cheesecake
[ezcol_1third]Ingredients
8 sheets honey graham crackers
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
12 -ounces 1/3rd less fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 cup low-fat (2%) Greek style plain yogurt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 15 -ounce can pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Directions
Position the oven racks in center and lower third of your oven. Fill a roasting pan about half full of water and place on the lower rack. This will create a moist environment for the cheesecake and help prevent cracking. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Coat a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Put the graham crackers and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar in the bowl of a food processor and grind until fine. Add the butter and two tablespoons of water and pulse until moistened. Press into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Bake until set and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely.
Combine the cream cheese, brown sugar, 1/3 cup granulated sugar and salt in a large bowl. Beat, with an electric mixer on medium speed, until smooth and fluffy. Add the yogurt, egg and egg whites, reduce the mixer speed to low, and continue to beat until blended. Add the pumpkin, flour, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat until just combined. Stir with a spatula a few times to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated and to release any air bubbles in the batter that could cause the cheesecake to crack.
Pour the batter over the crust and rap the pan against the countertop a few times to bring any trapped air bubbles to the surface. Place the cheesecake on the center rack in the oven. Bake until just set and the center wiggles slightly, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Turn the oven off and crack the door open. Let sit in the oven for 15 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Run a thin sharp knife between the cheesecake and then pan to release the sides. Cool completely and then chill until cold, at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Before serving, remove the cheesecake from the refrigerator and release the sides of the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over the top of the cheesecake and brulee the sugar with a kitchen torch or under the broiler for a few seconds. You can brulee the cheesecake up to about 1 hour before serving, but any longer than that and the sugar will become soft.[/ezcol_2third_end]
PROPANE GAS TORCH SAFETY: Propane gas torches are highly flammable and should be kept away from heat, open flame, and prolonged exposure to sunlight. They should only be used in well-ventilated areas. When lighting a propane gas torch, place the torch on a flat, steady surface, facing away from you. Light the match or lighter and then open the gas valve. Light the gas jet, and blow out the match. Always turn off the burner valve to “finger tight” when finished using the torch. Children should never use a propane gas torch without adult supervision.
Click here for more pumpkin recipes! Or click here for an Apple Pecan Pumpkin Pie recipe!
Worried about serving a Thanksgiving guest that follows a Vegan, Paleo or Gluten Free Diet? Check out this Thanksgiving Special Cheat Sheet!
Have you ever torched your food? What are your favorite pumpkin recipes?
Fall Leaves $15 Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Use a hurricane or other vase on hand ($11) and fill it with walnuts in the shell ($2/half pound) to secure your pillar candle ($5). Use fresh or fake fall leaves ($4/50 pieces) and secure them around the outside of your hurricane vase with a piece of twine ($2.50 for 50 yards). This would make a wonderful hostess gift, too!
Get more Thanksgiving Centerpiece ideas from Food Network HERE!
