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Fresh Ginger Cheesecake

Source of Recipe

Simply Perfect Holiday Baking

1 cup finely crushed gingersnaps (18 to 20 cookies)
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs all-purpose flour
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup whipping cream
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
2 Tbs sugar
1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping
Crystallized ginger, cut in strips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350�F. Stir together crushed gingersnaps and the melted butter. Press onto bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.

For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on low to medium speed until smooth. Beat in the 1 cup sugar, the flour, ginger, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Beat in whipping cream just until combined. Stir in eggs (do not beat). Pour into crust-lined pan. Place on a shallow baking pan.

Bake in the preheated oven about 45 minutes or just until center is set. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and the 2 tablespoons sugar. Using a spoon, spread mixture evenly over top of baked cheesecake. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes. Loosen crust from sides of pan; cool 30 minutes more. Remove sides of pan; cool cheesecake completely. Cover; chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.

Just before serving, warm the caramel topping and spoon over top of cheesecake, allowing some to drip down sides. If desired, top with strips of crystallized ginger.

Makes 12 servings