3/4 c. crushed graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. brown sugar, firmly packed
3 tbsp. butter, melted
4 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 c. sugar, divided
5 eggs
1/4 c. unsifted flour
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
2 tsp. or more pumpkin pie spice, to taste
2 tbsp. rum
2 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla

In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs with cinnamon and brown sugar, then stir in melted butter. Press mixture in bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. (Note: A 10 inch springform pan might work better. I always had too much of the cheesecake batter to fit.) Set aside.

In a large bowl, preferably with electric mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Stir in 1 1/2 cups sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, sprinkle flour over mixture and beat. Thoroughly mix in pumpkin, then spice and rum. Pour into the springform pan. Bake in preheated 325 degree oven 1 hour and 30 minutes. Turn off heat and let cake stand in oven another 30 minutes. Remove cake from oven and let cool until it is warm but not hot to the touch.

Meanwhile, mix together sour cream, 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla. Spread smoothly over top of cheesecake. Return to 425 degree oven and bake 10 minutes. Cool in refrigerator at least 4 hours before serving.

Serves 16.