Description
Creamy mini apple crisp cheesecakes bring cozy autumn flavors into delightful individual desserts. Warm cinnamon, sweet apples, and rich cream cheese create a perfect bite-sized indulgence you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit:
- 2 cups apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cheesecake Base:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Crust:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Craft a crumbly foundation by pulverizing graham crackers with sugar and melted butter, ensuring a uniform texture that will support the delicate cheesecake base. Press the mixture firmly into cupcake liners within a muffin tin, creating an even layer that will transform golden brown at 325F in 5-7 minutes.
- Whip cream cheese and sugar into a silky smooth consistency, incorporating eggs methodically to maintain a luxurious texture. Infuse the mixture with warm vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg, creating a fragrant and velvety filling that will occupy approximately three-quarters of each prepared crust.
- Transform fresh apples into a vibrant topping by tossing diced fruit with sugar, cinnamon, tangy lemon juice, and cornstarch. Ensure each apple piece is thoroughly coated, creating a glistening, spiced mixture ready to crown the cheesecake base.
- Carefully nestle the apple-laden cheesecakes into the preheated oven, allowing them to bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for subtle visual cues: set edges with a gentle center wiggle indicating perfect doneness. After initial cooling in the muffin tin, transfer to a wire rack and chill thoroughly for at least 2 hours to achieve optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Chill cream cheese at room temperature for an hour to ensure smooth, lump-free mixing for a silky cheesecake texture.
- Use crisp apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced tartness and firm texture that holds shape during baking.
- Prevent cracking by avoiding overmixing the cheesecake batter and gently folding ingredients to incorporate air minimally.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for the crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg