BRANDIED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

BRANDIED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Crust:

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup sugar


Filling:

2 (250 g) pack cream cheese at room temperature
1 (125 g) pack cream cheese at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 medium eggs
1 (14 oz.) can pumpkin (no spices added)
2-1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/3 cup brandy
whipped cream
preserved ginger

For crust, combine crumbs, sugar and butter in a bowl and mix
well. Press crumb mixture firmly into bottom of 10 inch spring
form pan and 2 inches up sides. Bake in moderate oven, 350
degrees for 10 minutes.

For filling beat together cream cheese and sugar until light and
fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
addition until smooth and creamy. Add pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon,
nutmeg, cloves and brandy and mix until well blended. Pour
cheese mixture into crust and bake in slow oven, 325 degrees,
for 50 or 60 minutes, or until well risen. Turn off heat and let
cheesecake cool in oven. When cold, decorate top with whipped
cream and sliced ginger.