Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and brown sugar. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter and then stir in the pecans.
Press the mixture into the bottom of a 10" springform pan. Then, bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until browned. Make sure to let the crust cool completely before adding the filling.
Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, half-and-half, flour and vanilla to the bowl. Mix until smooth.
Then, crack in the eggs and beat until just combined.
Pour the cheesecake filling into the cooled crust and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until about 3" around the perimeter is firm and the middle still jiggles.
Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing from the ring from the pan. Run a knife around the edges to remove the ring. Let the cheesecake continue to cool for 2 hours, and then transfer the pan to the fridge, covered, to chill for at least 4 hours -preferably overnight.
Mine cracked a little, so I made a maple-flavored whipped cream to hide it (no one was the wiser). In a bowl, beat the heavy cream and Whip-It together until soft peaks form. Add in the maple syrup and vanilla and continue to whip until the cream thickens.
Pipe or spread the maple whipped cream over the top and sprinkle with maple flakes. Enjoy!