Pumpkin Cheesecake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cracker crumbs, pecans, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Mix in the melted butter. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and about 1 inch up the sides of an ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Bake the crust in the center of the oven until fragrant and lightly golden around the edges, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire cooling rack.

Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

Beat the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and the nutmeg in the bowl of an electric mixer on low speed until smooth and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and yolks and beat just until blended. Mix in the pumpkin and cream. Spread the batter in the pan, and place it on a baking sheet.

Bake until the center is nearly set, 1 hour and 20 to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Carefully run a sharp knife between the cake and the sides of the pan. Remove the sides of the pan. Cool completely on the rack before covering tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate until well chilled before serving, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.