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IPA Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Beer Candied Pecans

Print Recipe
Servings 24 squares

Ingredients
  

For the beer candied pecans:

  • 1/2 cup Stone Vengeful Spirit IPA
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cups pecan pieces

For the cheesecake:

  • 9 standard sized graham crackers
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoon melted butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 15oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup Stone Vengeful Spirit IPA
  • 1/4 cup flour

Instructions
 

Make the pecans:

  • Preheat oven to 250F.
  • In a large pot (it will bubble up furiously) over high heat add the beer and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Clip a candy thermometer on the side of the pan. Bring liquid to 235F degrees, remove from heat.
  • Add the butter, stir until combined.
  • Add ½ teaspoon salt and pecans; stir until the pecans have all been coated.
  • Pour pecans on to a baking sheet that has been covered with a silicon baking mat (or parchment paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray).
  • Spread pecans evenly over the sheet.
  • Bake at 250F for 15 minutes, stir and bake for an additional 15 minutes (if the pecans look foamy, stir until the bubbles have dissolved) remove from oven and sprinkle with the remaining salt.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature, break apart. (Can be made up to 4 days in advance, store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place).

Make the cheesecake:

  • Lower the oven temp to 300F
  • In a food processor add the graham crackers and brown sugar, process until only crumbs are left. While the food processor is still running, add the melted butter and process until it resembles wet sand.
  • Line a 9X13 pan with parchment paper making sure the parchment comes up and over the sides of the pan. Press crust into the bottom until well compacted.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the brown sugar, white sugar and cream cheese. Mix until well combined. One at a time, add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until well combined, scraping the bottom, before adding more.
  • Add the pumpkin puree, cinnamon nutmeg and salt, mix until very well combined.
  • Add the beer and stir until combined.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the bowl, stir on medium speed until just combined.
  • Pour over the crust.
  • Bake at 300F for about one hour or until the center no longer sloshes when gently shaken but just slightly jiggles (The secret to a great cheesecake is not to over bake it, it's better to slightly under bake it for a smooth mousse like texture).
  • Chill until set, about 3 hours.
  • Remove from pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares, top with pecans.