Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake

For something a little bit different and a whole lot delicious, make this autumn pumpkin cheesecake instead of pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving feast.

Recipe Ingredients:

Crust:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

For Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin (2 cups)
3 large eggs
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Maple Pecan Glaze:
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup (1/2 pint) whipping cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF (160ºC).
2. For Crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter; press firmly on bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
3. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in EAGLE BRAND® until smooth. Add pumpkin, eggs, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; mix well. Pour into prepared pan.
4. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center appears nearly set when shaken. Cool 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
5. Top with Maple Pecan Glaze. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.
6. For Maple Pecan Glaze: In medium-sized saucepan, combine maple syrup and whipping cream; bring to a boil. Boil rapidly 15 to 20 minutes or until thickened; stir occasionally. Add chopped pecans. Cover and chill until served. Stir before serving.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Eagle Family Foods, Inc.