Shelly's Recipe

CREAM CHEESE PUMPKIN PIE WITH PECAN CRUST

Category: Pies - Cream and Custard

Crust
3/4 cup all purpose flour
6 tablespoons firmly packed golden brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Filling
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (Make sure it is room temperature - it ensures smooth and even blending)
6 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
1/8 ground cloves

For crust: Butter 9-inch diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Blend flour, sugar and salt in processor using on/off turns. Add butter and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add water and process just until moist clumps form. Transfer to large bowl. Add pecans and knead gently until pecans are incorporated and dough comes together.

Press dough on bottom and up sides of prepared pan. Refrigerate until dough is firm, about 30 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly and keep refrigerated.)

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375F. Line crust with foil; fill with beans or pie weights. Bake until crust sides are firm, about 10 minutes. Remove beans and foil and bake until crust begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer crust to rack. Maintain oven temperature.

For filling: Beat cream cheese and sour cream in large bowl until smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat until blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just to blend after each addition. Transfer 1/3 cup cheese mixture to small bowl. Add pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and cloves to cheese mixture in large bowl and beat until blended.

Spread pumpkin filing in crust. Drop reserved 1/3 cup cheese mixture by teaspoonfuls over pumpkin filling. Using tip of small sharp knife, gently swirl cheese mixture into pumpkin mixture in decorative pattern.

Bake pie until filling is firm in center, about 30 minutes. Cool pie on rack. Cover and chill. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)