Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and wrap the outside with aluminum foil to prevent water from seeping in during baking.
In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated and resemble wet sand.
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan, creating an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the pumpkin puree, eggs (one at a time), vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the cream cheese mixture. Mix until well combined and smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Pour the filling over the cooled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Place a larger, shallow pan on the oven rack beneath the cheesecake pan, and fill it with hot water to create a water bath. This helps prevent cracking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until the edges are firm, and the center is slightly jiggly.
Turn off the oven and crack the door open slightly, allowing the cheesecake to cool in the oven for 1 hour.
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Before serving, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Spread over the top of the cheesecake and garnish with additional cinnamon.
Notes
Serve slices on dessert plates, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for a festive touch.