Sharing the pleasure and satisfaction of growing the best seed varieties chosen by gardeners for gardeners

The orange and candied ginger accents add a subtle and delicious flavor, making this light cheesecake dense and satisfying for all cheesecake aficionados.

Ingredients:
Crust:
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, at room temperature
1/4 cup ground gingersnaps

Filling:
3 packages (8 ounces each) low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
3 egg whites, room temperature
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup orange marmalade
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or orange liqueur

Topping:
2 tablespoons orange marmalade
1/4 cup very finely minced crystallized ginger
1/4 cup chopped pistachios

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Crust: Coat bottom and 3/4 of the way up the sides of a 9-inch spring form pan with butter. Sprinkle with gingersnap crumbs and shake to distribute them around the sides. Spread loose crumbs on bottom.

Filling: In a large bowl beat cream cheese until fluffy, add sugars gradually, and mix until combined. Add eggs and egg whites, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Beat in pumpkin puree. Sift in flour, spices, and salt, and mix well. Blend in orange marmalade and orange liqueur. Pour into prepared crust. Bake for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, until the cake pulls away from the side of the pan and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on rack for at least 2 hours. Refrigerate covered for at least 4 hours before serving. To serve, brush with heated orange marmalade, then sprinkle with finely chopped ginger and pistachios. Serves 12 to 14.

For more great garden-inspired recipes, see Renee's books,
Recipes from a Kitchen Garden
More Recipes from a Kitchen Garden

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