Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Salted Caramel Glaze

Before you start:

The chocolate graham crackers are D-licious!  If you can’t find them you could use some chocolate wafers if available or oreo type cookies without the filling.

Even if you don't make these bars, be sure to take note of the Caramel Glaze.  We use it for all sorts of treats.  You'll find the recipe for it in our Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Caramel Glaze post.

The ingredients:

• 2 cups ground chocolate graham crackers
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 packages cream cheese (8oz each), softened
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ light brown sugar, packed
• 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 5 Minute Caramel Glaze
• Flake salt for garnish

The method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚.
2. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper with enough overlap to use as handles to lift bars from pan later.  Spray lightly with cooking oil spray.
3. Place graham cracker crumbs in a mixing bowl.  Pour melted butter on crumbs and mix together with a fork until well combined.
4. Pour crumb mixture into the lined pan and spread evenly.  Using the bottom of a glass or something else with a smooth flat surface, press the crumbs together firmly.
5. Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack.
6. In a large mixing bowl combine cream cheese and sugars.  Mix with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy (about 3 minutes).
7. Add the pumpkin and combine well.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing in completely after each addition.
8. Add vanilla, flour, spice, and salt.  Mix in well.
9. Pour mixture onto cooled crust and spread evenly.
10. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet.
11. Place the baking sheet in the oven and fill almost to the top with water.
12. Bake for 40-45 minutes until lightly browned on top.  The cheesecake should have pulled away from the sides slightly and will be set around the edge but still a little jiggly in the center.
13. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.  Cover and continue cooling/setting in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
14. Make the 5 Minute Caramel Glaze.
15. Lift the cheesecake from the pan using the flaps you created.  Cut into evenly sized bars.
16. Top each bar with caramel glaze and sprinkle with a few pieces of flake salt.