Pumpkin Cheesecake with Chocolate Swirl

Our friends Kevin and Patty are having a potluck/ Housewarming party. We hardly get to see them because they live out in the country. So when they say to bring something to the potluck, I'm your gal. 

'Tis the season for pumpkin everything! Though it is not my favorite seasoning, I cannot deny the temptation that flutters in my gut when the words, pumpkin cheesecake are uttered. Only this time, we're adding chocolate. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Chocolate Swirl based on Martha Stewart recipe

Crust

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbles
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 
  

Filling

• 2 packages bar cream cheese (8 ounces each)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin puree
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Start with a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish, spray with cooking spray for easy removal. In a small bowl., thoroughly combine ingredients for crust and gently press into sprayed casserole dish. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

In a large bowl, cream the 2 bars of cream cheese with stand or hand mixer. Add sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, flour, spice and salt and mix with cream cheese until smooth. 

In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate in 30 second increments. After chocolate is melted, take 1/2 - 1 cup of pumpkin cheesecake blend and mix with chocolate to get smooth consistency. 

Pour remaining pumpkin mixture onto cooled crust. Drizzle/ drop chocolate mixture onto surface of pumpkin mixture and use pointed object to swirl chocolate on surface of pumpkin cheesecake. Bake in oven until cheesecake is set but jiggles slightly when shaken, 40-50 minutes. 

Cool in pan on wire rack. Cover and chill until firm, 2 hours (up to 2 days). Cut into bars and serve. 

Ta-dah!

Our friends' housewarming party was wonderful. Nothing like hanging out with friends; chatting, eating, drinking and laughing. Isn't that what life's about? 

The lovely hosts even made my Slow Cooker Kalua Pork with their own twist: pineapple! I never thought about it, but it's genius. It gives the dish some acid and sweetness that is delicious with the salty and richness of the pork. YUM! They even served it on little Hawaiian rolls. 

Kalua Pork sandwich, BBQ pulled pork sandwich and cowboy caviar

Don't forget the drinks! Boyfriend was nice enough to bring his wine, which was awesome next to the bonfire. Since one of our hosts is a beer drinker and the other has gluten allergies they had beer and malt liquor, including my favorite, Mike's Black Cherry Lemonade. Delicious!

Reunited, it's been too long

The Pumpkin Cheesecake with Chocolate swirl was a hit. Loads of compliments on flavor and aesthetics. *victory dance* 


-Akemi-chan