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The day before you plan to serve the cheesecake:
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Preheat the oven to 350F.
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Generously butter the bottom and side of a 9-inch spring form pan.
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Wrap the outside with aluminum foil, covering the bottom and extending all of the way up the side.
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Shape the graham cracker crust, pressing the mixture into the bottom and three- fourths of the way up the side.
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Freeze for 15 minutes, then bake for 8 minutes.
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Let cool on a wire rack.
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Keep the oven on.
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In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment if your mixer has one, beat 1 package of the cream cheese, 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar, and the cornstarch together on low until creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping the bowl down several times.
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Blend in the remaining cream cheese, one package at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl after each.
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Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat in the remaining 1 cup granulated sugar, the brown sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.
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Blend in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
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Blend in the pumpkin, then the cream, just until completely mixed.
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Be careful not to overmix!
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Gently spoon the pumpkin batter into the crust.
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Place the cake pan in a large pan containing hot water that comes halfway (about 1 inch) up the side of the spring form.
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Bake until the edge is light golden brown and the top is light beige-golden orange, about 1 1/4 hours.
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Remove the cheesecake from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 2 hours (just walk awaydont move it).
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Leave the cake in the pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until completely cold, preferably overnight or at least 4 hours.
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On serving day:
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If you wish to decorate the cake, break or cut the graham crackers into 1/2-inch pieces or crumble into coarse crumbs by hand.
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Release and remove the side of the spring form, leaving the cake on the bottom of the pan.
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Place on a cake plate.
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Make a ring of the graham cracker pieces around the outside edge of the cheesecake.
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Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Slice with a sharp straightedge knife, not a serrated one.
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Refrigerate any leftover cake, tightly covered, and serve within a few days, or wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.