Pumpkin Cheesecake

• 1 1/4 cups gingersnap crumbs (25 to 30 cookies)
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 6 large eggs, separated
• 2 (16.25-ounce) cans pumpkin pie mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• Garnish:miniature pinecones

1. Combine crumbs and butter; press into bottom and 1 inch up sides of a lightly greased 12-inch springform pan. Set aside.
2. Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth; add 1 cup sugar and vanilla, beating until creamy. Stir in 6 egg yolks. Pour 2 1/2 cups mixture into prepared crust; set aside.
3. Add pumpkin pie mix and 2 eggs to remaining cream cheese mixture, stirring well; set aside.
4. Beat egg whites at high speed until foamy. Add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves. Fold into pumpkin mixture; pour over cream cheese mixture in crust.
5. Bake at 300u0b0 for 1 1/2 hours. Turn oven off, and run a knife around edge of cheesecake to loosen. Let stand in oven with door partially open for 1 1/2 hours. Remove sides of pan; cover and chill.
6. Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar at high speed until soft peaks form; spread on sides of cheesecake. Garnish, if desired.

gingersnap crumbs, butter, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, eggs, pumpkin pie mix, eggs, whipping cream, powdered sugar, pinecones

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-cheesecake-2 (may not work)