Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake

Why I Love This Recipe
From Betty Crocker Thanksgiving
Ingredients You'll Need
CRUST
1 1/2 c finely crushed gingersnap cookies (30 cookies)
1/4 c butter or margarine, melted
FILLING
3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c butter, softened (do not use margarine)
1 c granulated sugar
2 c canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup caramel topping
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs
GARNISH
1/2 c slicd almonds
1/3 c granulated sugar
TOPPING
1 c whipping cream
2 TBS brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Directions
Heat oven to 350
Wrap foil around outside of bottom and side of 9-inch spring form pan to catch drips.
Spray bottom of pan with cooking spray in small bowl, stir crust ingredients until well mixed.
Press mixture in bottom of pan.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set.
Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed just until smooth and creamy.
Do not overheat.
On low speed, gradually beat in 1 cup granulated sugar.
Add pumpkin; beat until blended.
Beat in caramel topping and flour.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended.
Reduce oven temperature to 325F.
Pour filling into partially baking crust.
Place springform in lage roasting pan; pour hot water into roasting pan until one-fourth full. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes or until edge of cheese cake is set at least 2 inches from edge of pan but tcent of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved.
Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour.
Refrigerate at least 8 hours before serving.
In 10 inch nonstick skillet, cook almonds over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly, until just beginning to brown; sprinkle 1/3 cup granulated sugar over almonds.
Continue cooking and stirring 2 to 3 minutes longer or until sugar is melted and almonds are coated.
Spread almond mixture on sheet of foil sprayed with cooking spray. Cool 2 to 3 minutes; break apart.
In chilled medium bowl, beat topping ingredients with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.
Serve slices of cheesecake topped with whipped cream and almonds.
Prep Time 20 minutes,
Start to Finish 10 hours 50 mins