We found this recipe on the Food & Wine website and have made some of our own alterations and additions (caramel sauce!) It seems like it has a million ingredients and takes forever to prepare, but it is totally worth it and will impress!
Crust
8 oz gingersnap cookies
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons of butter, softened
Cheesecake
16 oz cream cheese
1 1/4 cup pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 xl egg
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Caramel Sauce
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 2/3 oz half-and-half
1 1/3 tablespoon butter
Pinch of salt
Dash of vanilla extract
Pear Topping
3 large Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and cut into thin wedges
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon butter
Crust
Preheat the oven to 350°. In a food processor, pulse the gingersnaps with 2 tablespoons of the sugar and a pinch of salt until fine crumbs form; add the softened butter and process until moistened. Using your fingers, press the gingersnap crumbs into the bottom of a buttered 9-inch springform pan in an even layer; brush any crumbs off the side of the pan. Bake the crust for about 10 minutes, until it is lightly browned. Let the crust cool slightly, then wrap the bottom of the pan tightly in aluminum foil so it's watertight. Set the pan in a large, deep skillet or a small roasting pan.
Cheesecake
Rinse out the food processor bowl and wipe it dry. Add the softened cream cheese, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract and the remaining 2/3 cup of sugar to the food processor bowl and process for about 30 seconds, or until smooth. Add the eggs and pulse to blend. Add the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and process for about 30 seconds, or until smooth. Carefully pour the pumpkin filling over the gingersnap crust. Set the skillet in the oven and carefully pour in enough hot water to reach halfway up the side of the springform pan. Bake the cheesecake for about 55 minutes, until the filling is barely jiggly in the center. Carefully transfer the skillet to a rack and let the cheesecake cool. Remove the aluminum foil and refrigerate the cheesecake until it is firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Caramel Sauce
Mix the brown sugar, half-and half, butter and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook while whisking gently for 5 to 7 minutes until it gets thicker. Add the vanilla and cook another minute to thicken further. Turn off the heat, cool slightly and pour the sauce into a jar. Refrigerate until cold.
Pear Topping
In a large skillet, cook the butter over moderately high heat until it is lightly browned and nutty-smelling, about 3 minutes. Add the pear wedges and cook, turning once, until they are softened and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the sugar and cook, turning once, until the pears are lightly browned and glazed, about 1 minute longer.
Run a sharp knife around the edge of the cheesecake and remove the springform ring. Cut the pumpkin cheesecake into wedges and serve with the warm pears.
