I won first prize with this recipe at the State Fair several years ago...

Ginger-Crusted Pumpkin Cheesecake

12 whole low-fat honey graham crackers, broken into pieces
3 tablespoons reduced-fat margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 can (15 oz.) solid-packed pumpkin
2 packages, (8 oz. each,) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 package (8 oz.)reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup egg-substitute
1/2 cup nonfat evaporated milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamom
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (or regular salt)
2 cups thawed frozen reduced-fat whipped topping
(Additional ground nutmeg is optional)


1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Coat 9 inch springform baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside

2. Place graham crackers, margarine and ginger in food processor or blender; pulse until coarse in texture. Gently press crumb into bottom and 3/4 inches up sides of pan. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned; cool slightly on wire rack.

3. Beat remaining ingredients,(except whipped topping, and additional nutmeg) in a large bowl with electric mixer at medium-high speed until smooth; pour into pie crust. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until top begins to crack and center moves very little when pan is shaken back and forth. Cool on wire rack to room temperature; refrigerate until ready to serve.

4. Just before serving, spoon 1 tablespoon whipped topping on each serving; sprinkle slightly with additional nutmeg.

The judges at the fair said this looked as good as it smelled, and tasted.

Makes 16 servings
Calories 187 each piece

Chatty, you won FIRST PRIZE as in BLUE Ribbon? That's something to celebrate at a state fair. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to copy this.

First Prize blue ribbon plus title of BEST BAKER for one year, until someone beat me the following year. I didn't enter the following year, was on vacation in Colorado.

Great treat to serve your family and/or guests for Halloween and/or Thanksgiving.

You of many talents!

Well at my age, I have had plenty of time to excel in many things...I am an old fart you know. LOL!

Chatty, what brand of pumpkin do you recommend? Libbys?

I can't believe it's only 187 calories a slice. I'm printing it and if my sister doesn't make her cheesecake for Thanksgiving, I'm making this one. The ingredients sound luscious.

AdornmentsMilani,
No particular brand, just whatever the store I am shopping in carrys. But be sure it is 15oz. of solid-pack pumpkin, otherwise it will become runny...

Dots this is so delicious, and besides 187 calories, it is only 6 grams of fat, 23 carbs... It will be a recipe in for the Diabetic cookbook I'm working on...