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1
For The Crust
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2
Preheat oven to 350F.
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3
Grease 9inch springform pan.
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4
In food processor fitted with metal blade, pulse pecans with sugar until finely ground.
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5
In a bowl combine pecan mixture with graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon if using.
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6
Drizzle butter over mixture and toss with a fork until moist.
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7
Dumb into springform pan and press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides of pan.
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8
Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden and bottom is set.
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9
Let cool on wire rack, wrap outside of pan with heavy duty aluminum foil.
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10
Lower oven to 325F
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11
For The Filling
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12
In a large bowl beat cream cheese on medium/high speed until fluffy.
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13
Gradually add sugar and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of bowl as you do.
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14
Lower speed to medium and add sour cream, pumpkin, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice.
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15
Beat in eggs, one at a time until just incorporated.
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16
Set springform pan in large roasting pan in center of oven.
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17
Pour cream cheese mixture over crust.
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18
Fill roasting pan with enough hot water to reach halfway up sides of springform pan.
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19
Bake for 65-75 minutes, or until center is almost set but still slightly jiggly ( my cousin calls this a firm jiggle).
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20
Turn off oven and let cool in roasting pan for 15-20 minutes.
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21
Remove roasting pan from oven, do this carefully so as not to splash water.
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22
Remove foil, leave cheesecake in the oven and close door to continue cooling process.
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23
Once warm/room temp, remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
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24
When cool put in fridge.
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25
Cool in fridge for 8 hours or overnight.
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26
Remove sides of pan and garnish with pecans (shown) or pecan brittle.
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27
Enjoy!!!
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28
!
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29
Pecan Brittle Optional Topping
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30
Line baking sheet with wax paper.
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31
In heavy duty saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil over medium/high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
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32
Boil 5-7 minutes or until syrup is slightly amber.
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33
Working quickly, remove from heat and stir in pecans to coat.
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34
Immediately pour onto baking sheet, spreading with spatula.
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35
Cool 20 minutes, remove wax paper and break brittle into small pieces.
