In a large glass bowl, blend the cream and vanilla extract with a hand or immersion blender until it doubles in size and changes texture.

Then, drizzle maple syrup into the bowl and continue blending until the mixture is light and fluffy. Set aside or place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 180C/350C/Gas 4 and spray 24-cup mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

Place the cookies into a large heavy-duty freezer bag and cover with a towel. Pound bag with a meat mallet or rolling pin until cookies are uniformly crushed into very small pieces. (This can also be done in a food processor).

Transferred crushed cookies to a glass bowl and add melted butter. Stir with a fork until thoroughly combined. Add a little more melted butter to hold cookie crumb mixture together, if necessary. However, do not add too much or the butter will compete with the flavor of the gingersnap crust.

Divide cookie crumb mixture into 24 equal parts and press into the bottom of each muffin cup firmly with your fingers to form a crust.

Bake for 8 – 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, brown sugar, and salt with a hand-held mixer.

Add pumpkin purée and Greek yogurt to the cream cheese mixture and continue beating until combined.

Open egg in a separate bowl before adding to the cream cheese mixture. Then blend in vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Continue blending until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated into the batter.

Evenly divide pumpkin cream cheese mixture between the 24 muffin-tin cups, placing on top of the pre-baked cookie crust. Fill each cup slightly higher than the edge of the pan.

Place muffin tin on the center rack of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned and the pumpkin mixture has set.

Remove from oven and cool completely before removing mini-cheesecakes from the tin.

Refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving.

To serve as pictured top with maple-whipped cream and crushed salted-caramel. You can spoon on the cream or pipe it on for greater control.

You can also top with your favorite caramel sauce or some chopped nuts before serving. For a more minimalist approach, simply sprinkle a bit of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top of the whipped cream.