Description
Indulgent caramel apple cheesecake combines creamy richness with autumn’s sweet charm, blending classic dessert comfort and seasonal elegance. Rich layers of smooth cheesecake and warm cinnamon-spiced apples invite you to savor pure culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy and Baking Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
Sugars and Sweeteners:
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) brown sugar
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Dry Ingredients and Spices:
- 2 cups (240 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 3 medium apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Crush graham crackers into fine, uniform crumbs, ensuring no large pieces remain.
- Melt butter and mix thoroughly with cracker crumbs and sugar until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Transfer the crumb blend into the springform pan, using the back of a spoon to create a compact, even layer that covers the entire bottom surface.
- Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake until the edges turn slightly golden and the base feels firm to the touch.
- Remove the crust from the oven and allow it to cool completely, which helps create a sturdy foundation for the cheesecake layers.
- While the crust cools, prepare to chop apples into small, consistent cubes to ensure even distribution throughout the dessert.
- Gently sauté apple pieces in a skillet with cinnamon, creating a caramelized texture that enhances their natural sweetness and softens their texture.
- Whip cream cheese until smooth and creamy, eliminating any potential lumps that could affect the cheesecake’s final texture.
- Incorporate eggs, vanilla, and sugar into the cream cheese mixture, blending until the filling becomes silky and well-integrated.
- Layer the caramelized apples over the cooled crust, then carefully pour the cream cheese mixture on top.
- Bake the cheesecake until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly, indicating it will firm up as it cools.
- Allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate to help it set and develop deeper flavors.
Notes
- Swap traditional graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives to make this dessert suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the crust mixture for an extra warm, aromatic flavor that complements the caramel and apple components.
- Ensure butter is completely melted and mixed thoroughly to create a cohesive, well-bound crust that holds together perfectly when sliced.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the filling to prevent lumps and achieve a smoother, more consistent cheesecake texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg