Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons butter -- melted
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
24 ounces cream cheese -- softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
15 oz canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix!!!)
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
whipped cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 


Make the crust by combining the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium bowl. Stir well enough to coat all of the crumbs with the butter, but not so much as
to turn the mixture into paste. Keep it crumbly. 


Press the crumbs onto the bottom and about two-thirds of the way up the sides of a springform pan. Bake the crust for 5 minutes, then set it aside until you are ready to fill it. 


In a large mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice and continue to beat until smooth and creamy. Pour the filling into the pan. 


Bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool.
When the cheesecake has come to room temperature, put it into the refrigerator. When the cheesecake has chilled, remove the pan sides and slice.