PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CRUST

Steps:

• Heat oven 350°F Mix chocolate wafer crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press mixture firmly onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake until crust is set. about 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool crust completely.
• In a bowl, stir together pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, and vanilla. Set aside.
• In another large bowl, mix sugar, cornstarch, spices, and salt. Add cheese and beat on high speed until smooth. Take 1/4 of the cheese mixture and set aside for topping.
• With mixer running at low speed, add pumpkin mixture to the cheese mixture and mix until combined and smooth.
• Place springform pan with prepared crust on baking sheet (in case it leaks). Pour pumpkin mixture into pan. Drop dollops of the reserved cheese mixture over the pumpkin mixture. use a think metal spatula or a knife to gently pull the cheese dollops through the pumpkin to make swirls.
• Bake at 350°F for 50 - 60 minutes or until center of cheesecake is just set. Remove from oven and cool for 30 minutes. Cover and chill for a couple of hours. Remove sides of springform pan.