Pumpkin Cheesecake

Description
This seasonal dessert has no crust, and features pure, creamy pumpkin flavor.

Cheesecake

 * 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese
 * 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (see note)
 * ⅔ cup sugar
 * ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
 * ½ teaspoon cinnamon
 * ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
 * 3 eggs, at room temperature

Garnish

 * mint sprigs
 * 3 tablespoons lightly toasted and coarsely chopped pecans

Directions

 * 1) Heat an oven to 325° F. Spray an 8”x 3”-deep cake pan with vegetable cooking spray.
 * 2) Line bottom with a round of parchment, wax paper, or spray paper; set aside.
 * 3) In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese until smooth.
 * 4) Add pumpkin purée, sugar substitute, vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger; beat until smooth.
 * 5) Mix with eggs one at a time, just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Place a cake pan in a deep roasting pan and carefully pour in enough boiling water in roasting pan to reach halfway up sides of cake pan.
 * 6) Bake 42 to 45 minutes, until cake is just set in the center. Turn off the oven, open the door, and let stand in oven 15 minutes.
 * 7) Remove the cake pan from the water bath and transfer to a wire rack; cool completely.
 * 8) Run a knife around an edge of cake, cover and refrigerate until chilled (4 hours or overnight).
 * 9) To remove cake from the pan, dip the bottom of pan into hot water for just a few seconds to loosen. Place a serving platter over top and invert.
 * 10) Remove the pan and peel off paper. Garnish with mint and pecans.

Tips
Use pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie mix, which is sweetened with sugar.