Winner & a Killer Recipe

Thanks to random.org, our winner is comment #3 – Alisa Wahrer.  It will be in the mail by Tuesday.  Thanks everyone for playing!  Now, are you ready for a killer recipe??

***Edited - I didn't win my cheesecake.  SUPER bummed!  Mr. Moneybags bid $155 for my cheesecake.  Wow!  Super flattered!  I got a 1 hour free massage because my dessert sold for the highest amount!  Such flattery!

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan-Gingersnap Crust
Recipe by Our Best Bites
Crust:
1 3/4 C gingersnap crumbs (about 30 small cookies)
6T real butter, melted
3 T brown sugar
3/4 C ground pecans
Filling:
3 8oz blocks cream cheese
3/4 C canned pumpkin puree
6 oz melted white chocolate (that's about 1 C white chocolate chips)
1 C sugar
3 eggs
2 t vanilla
1/4 t nutmeg
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t cloves
Topping:
- 1 C whipping cream, beat with 1/2 tsp vanilla and 4 Tbs powdered sugar until medium peaks form.
- 1/3 C roughly chopped pecans, either toasted or caramelized
- 2 Tablespoons jarred caramel sauce
1.  Preheat oven to 350. Using 2 large pieces of heavy duty foil, securely wrap the bottom and outside of your cheesecake pan. This will prevent leaks when using the water bath.
2.  For Crust:  Use a food processor to crush gingersnaps. Then do pecans. Combine gingersnaps, pecans, brown sugar, and butter and stir well to combine. Press into a 9" spring form pan. Evenly spread across the bottom of pan and up the sides about 1 inch.
3.  With an electric mixer beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time. Add pumpkin, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
4.  To melt chocolate, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Set aside.  With the mixer running, slowly add in white chocolate in a steady stream (or steady blobs).  Pour mixture on top of the crust.
For water bath:
Place cheesecake pan inside of a larger pan. I use a roasting pan, like this. (and by "like this" I mean its appearance, because I most certainly did not pay $270 for mine) Place your cheesecake pan into larger pan. The larger pan should be at least 2-3 inches in depth. Place in pre-heated oven. With a kettle or pitcher filled with hot water, pour water into the larger pan about halfway up, or approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches.  Bake for 60-75 minutes or until set. The center should be just a tad bit jiggly still. It will finish cooking while cooling.
5.  When it's done, remove from oven and place on a rack until completely cool. Place in the fridge for at least 12 hours. This is a very soft cheesecake so sufficient chilling is a must!
6.  When ready to serve spread sweetened whipped cream on top, drizzle caramel sauce over it, and sprinkle with pecans.

A few of my notes:

• I used the White Chocolate baking squares.  It takes 6 of them. 
• SERIOUSLY the best batter ever!!
• This was a lot easier of a recipe than I anticipated.  Just remember to do it the day before you need it.  Seriously, enjoy! 
• Now, I need to win this back at the auction tonight.  I am SO going to pay a lot for this!!
• If you need pictures, click on the link below the recipe name.  It will take you to their post with pictures of each step.