Pumpkin Amaretto Cheesecake

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2 cups crushed shortbread cookies
¼ cup toasted finely chopped almonds
⅓ cup melted unsalted butter

16 oz room temperature cream cheese
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups fresh pumpkin puree
2 eggs
4 egg whites
⅛ tsp cream of tartar
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
3 tblsp flour
½ cup sour cream
2 tblsp amaretto --- or more, depending on your taste ;-)

1 cup whipping cream
½ tsp almond extract
¼ cup powdered sugar
Fresh grated nutmeg, for garnish

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In an 8” springform pan, mix cookie crumbs, almonds and melted butter.
• Press the mixture evenly onto the bottom and sides of the pan.
• Refrigerate crust until ready to fill.
• In a large bowl using electric mixer, whip cream cheese until smooth.
• Add in brown sugar, blending until thoroughly mixed.
• Add pumpkin, and eggs, blending until smooth.
• Add cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, sour cream and Amaretto until blended.
• In a separate bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed until soft peaks form.
• Fold egg white mixture into the cheese mixture.
• Pour combined mixture into prepared crust.
• Set springform on a cookie sheet.
• Bake 60-90 minutes, until center is almost set and jiggles slightly.
• Turn off oven and let cake stay in oven with oven door propped open until completely cooled.
• Remove from oven and chill uncovered overnight in refrigerator.
• Remove sides of pan.
• Beat whipping cream, almond extract and sugar until soft peaks form.
• Spread on chilled cake just before serving.
• Sprinkle freshly grated nutmeg on top as garnish.

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