Washington (CNN) Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday acknowledged a report that he spent more than $8,600 on cheesecake in less than 10 years, saying it is his "guilty pleasure" and that he frequently rewards supporters with gifts at a famed New York restaurant.

In total, $8,638.85 was spent at the restaurant during this time, CNN confirmed. The New York Post first reported on Schumer's cheesecake spending.

During a news conference in New York City on Sunday, Schumer addressed the reporting about his sweet tooth and shared his love for the famed restaurant's dessert.

"I give them as gifts. I use them for bets, you know when someone wants to bet something, you know for a Brooklyn thing versus a Wisconsin thing," the New York Democrat said as he held up a copy of the news report and a platter of six cheesecake slices. "So I say to the New York Post and others, guilty as charged. I love Junior's cheesecake. It's the best cheesecake in the world." Schumer said he'd been a fan of the restaurant since he was a young boy.

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