Slow cooker recipe: Pumpkin pie cheesecake

Name: Slow cooker recipe: Pumpkin pie cheesecake
Yield: 6-8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 300g peeled kent pumpkin, cut into 4cm cubes; 150g plain flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup brown sugar 100g unsalted butter, melted 4 eggs, 1 lightly beaten 250g cream cheese, softened 1 cup icing sugar, sifted 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 cup pecans 2 tbsp pepitas ¼ cup maple syrup dollop of cream, to serve

Adam Liaw

October 25, 2016

There's more to slow-cookers than just heavy stews. This cheesecake is a perfect example of just how much you can do.

Ingredients

300g peeled kent pumpkin, cut into 4cm cubes
150g plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
100g unsalted butter, melted
4 eggs, 1 lightly beaten
250g cream cheese, softened
1 cup icing sugar, sifted
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup pecans
2 tbsp pepitas
¼ cup maple syrup
dollop of cream, to serve

Method

Step 1
Cook the pumpkin in a saucepan of boiling water for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain in a colander and leave to air-dry.
Step 2
Grease and line the slow-cooker with baking paper. Wrap the lid with a clean tea towel and tighten with a rubber band or piece of string. This prevents any condensation from dripping into the cake.
Step 3
Meanwhile, sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the brown sugar, half of the melted butter and the beaten egg and mix until a dough forms. Evenly press the dough into the base of the slow-cooker and up the sides to a height of 2cm.
Step 4
Purée the pumpkin in a food processor. Add the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon and process until smooth. Add the remaining eggs, one at a time, pulsing until combined. Add the remaining butter and pulse to combine.
Step 5
Pour the mixture into the slow-cooker and cook on a low heat for about 4 hours, until the outside is set but the centre is still slightly wobbly (the time will vary slightly from one slow-cooker to the next). Turn off the slow-cooker and leave to rest for 30 minutes before removing, then set aside to cool completely.
Step 6
Heat your oven to 180°C. On a tray, roast the pecans for 3 minutes, then add the pepitas and roast for a further 5 minutes, until golden.
Step 7
Heat the maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the roasted pecans and pepitas to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes, until sticky and coated. Serve the cheesecake with a generous dollop of cream and the maple pecans and pepitas scattered on top.