Description
Indulgent no-bake apple pie cheesecake brings creamy elegance to classic dessert lovers. Crisp graham cracker crust and spiced apple layers promise pure comfort with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
Baking and Binding Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Craft a sturdy foundation by blending graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and a touch of sugar, pressing the mixture firmly into the base of a springform pan to create a compact, even layer.
- Refrigerate the crust for approximately 15 minutes, allowing it to solidify and develop a crisp texture.
- Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, incorporating powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a hint of cinnamon to develop a luscious, aromatic filling.
- Gently fold freshly whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a light, airy texture that will provide a delectable base for the dessert.
- Carefully distribute the creamy mixture over the chilled crust, ensuring an even, elegant surface.
- Transform diced apples into a decadent topping by simmering them with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of lemon juice until they soften and caramelize.
- Thicken the apple mixture with a cornstarch slurry, allowing the sauce to develop a glossy, luxurious consistency.
- Allow the apple topping to cool completely, preserving its vibrant flavor and preventing it from melting the delicate cheesecake layer.
- Generously cascade the cooled apple mixture over the cream cheese filling, creating an enticing visual and flavor contrast.
- Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, enabling the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly.
- Before serving, enhance the presentation with a delicate drizzle of caramel sauce, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Enhance the crust’s flavor by toasting graham cracker crumbs briefly in a skillet before mixing with butter for a deeper, nuttier taste.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham crackers with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to maintain the same delicious texture.
- Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the topping to ensure they hold their shape and provide a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
- Create a lower-sugar option by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of brown sugar, which keeps the dessert lighter without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg