Perfectly Simple Pumpkin Cheesecake

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.

Heat butter and sugar in a saucepan until butter melts. Meanwhile line the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with a 12-by-20-inch sheet of foil so it hangs over the long sides of the pan (you'll use this as a 'handle' to pull the cooked dessert from the pan). Arrange graham crackers over foil-lined pan bottom cutting the final few with a knife so they'll fit snugly. Pour butter mixture over crackers; spread with knife to cover. Bake until butter-sugar mixture starts to harden about 7 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce temperature to 300 degrees.

As crust bakes heat pumpkin 1 1/4 cups brown sugar and spices in a medium pan over medium-high heat until mixture is sputtery hot. Process eggs on high speed in a blender. Transfer pumpkin to a pourable container. With blender running slowly add pumpkin mixture; puree until smooth. Add cream cheese one block at a time; puree until smooth. Pour mixture over crust; bake until set about 35 minutes.

Meanwhile mix sour cream remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and vanilla. Remove cheesecake from oven. Pour sour cream mixture evenly over top; carefully spread so top is completely covered. Return to oven. Bake to set topping about 5 minutes longer. Cool to room temperature then refrigerate (can be made up to 2 days ahead).

To serve run a knife around the pan perimeter to loosen cake. Use foil handles to pull cake from pan. Cut into squares (up to 15) and garnish with optional pecans.