temperature. Pour 1 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate ganache over the top of the chilled chocolate cheesecake. Spread evenly over the top of the cake. Invert the pumpkin cheesecake onto the layer of ganache. Gently press down on the cake to set in place. Wrap the entire springform pan with film wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours. The cheesecake can now be released from the springform. Remove film wrap and wrap a damp, hot towel around the sides of the pan (the towel should be large enough to completely wrap around and cove the sides of the pan) and hold around the pan form 1 minute. Carefully release and remove the springform pan. Using a cake spatula, smooth the sides of the cake with 2 to 3 Tbsps. of the ganache. Spread the remaining ganache evenlyacross the top of the cake. press remaining cookie/pecan crumbs into the sides of the cake, coating evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting and serving. Heat the blade of the serrated slicer under hot water before cutting and run it under hot water after making each slice. (In the notes section of the recipe called The Chef's Touch, Marcel suggests the following: For an extra special touch, decorate the top of the uncut cake with sour cream and brown sugar: whisk together in a stainless steel bowl 3/4 cup sour cream and 1 Tbsps. light brown sugar. Pour the mixture onto the center area of the cake. Using a spatula, spread the sour cream to within 2 inches of the outside edge of the top of the cake. Now for the final touch, evenly space 12 pecan halves 1/2 inch from the outer edge of the top. refrigerate for an hour before cutting and serving.) This is complicated and time-intensive, but it is really and truly worth the work and can easily be done a little at a time over a few days. This has been my special Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert ever since. ----