Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

For the Gingersnap Crust
• 10 oz gingersnap cookies, crumbed (3 cups)
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1?2 cup sugar
• 3?4 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1?2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or extract)
• 1?2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1?2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1?2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1?2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 large eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch glass or light-colored metal baking pan. Line the bottom with a sheet of parchment paper and butter the parchment.
2. In a bowl, stir together the crushed gingersnap cookies, melted butter, and dark brown sugar until completely combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from oven and let cool completely while you prepare the filling. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.
3. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed just until it is lump free and smooth. Do not overbeat or the tops of the bars may crack. Add the sugar and beat again until well combined, about 2 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla bean paste, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Add this mixture to the cream cheese mixture and beat on medium-low speed until completely combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat until the mixture is smooth. Note: This batter is slightly looser than the average cheesecake batter.
5. Pour the mixture over the crust and bake for 23 to 30 minutes, or until the bars are set and slightly puffy (if the tops start to crack, the bars are overbaked). Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow the bars to come to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
6. Using a very sharp knife, cut the bars into 24 squares. The bars can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 3 days. If desired, top with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. Enjoy!

Notes