Description
Indulgent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Delight blends creamy richness with autumn’s sweet charm. Silky layers of tangy cream cheese and caramelized apples create a perfect dessert experience you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 ounces/226 grams) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Fruit and Topping:
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Craft the foundation by combining graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar into a cohesive mixture. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan, creating an even layer. Bake at 325F (160C) for 10 minutes, then allow to cool completely.
- Whip cream cheese using an electric mixer until silky and uniform. Gradually incorporate sugar, ensuring smooth integration. Introduce eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition. Fold in sour cream and vanilla extract, mixing until achieving a velvety consistency.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, spreading evenly across the surface. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, monitoring until edges appear set and center maintains a gentle wobble.
- After baking, deactivate oven and allow cheesecake to rest inside with door slightly open for one hour, preventing surface cracks. This gradual cooling method ensures a pristine texture.
- Meanwhile, prepare apple topping by tossing diced apples with lemon juice and cinnamon. Sauté in a skillet over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until slightly softened. Remove from heat and gently fold in caramel sauce.
- Once cheesecake has completely cooled, artfully distribute the caramel-coated apple mixture across the surface. Optional: drizzle additional caramel for enhanced decadence.
- Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours, ideally overnight, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Cracking: Bake the cheesecake in a water bath by placing the springform pan inside a larger baking dish filled with hot water to ensure even, gentle heating and minimize surface cracks.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends more easily.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground nuts like almonds to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Caramel Apple Variation: Experiment with different apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for varying levels of sweetness and texture in the topping.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg