Apple Pie Cheesecake Recipe
Introduction
This Apple Pie Cheesecake combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the warm, spiced flavors of classic apple pie. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion that will impress your family and friends with every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 24 oz (675g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or heavy cream
- 3 large apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Whipped cream (for garnish)
- Caramel sauce (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan or line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until combined and resembling wet sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of the springform pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract and sour cream (or heavy cream) until creamy.
- Step 4: Pour cheesecake batter over the cooled crust and spread evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes until edges are set but the center slightly jiggles. Turn off oven, crack door open, and let cheesecake sit inside for 1 hour to prevent cracks.
- Step 5: While cheesecake cools, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg if using, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and syrupy, about 10 minutes.
- Step 6: Sprinkle flour over the apple mixture, stir to combine, and cook 2-3 more minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 7: Once cheesecake is completely cooled (preferably chilled for a few hours or overnight), spoon the apple topping evenly over it.
- Step 8: To serve, slice the cheesecake and top each piece with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy this delightful blend of flavors!
Tips & Variations
- For a shortcut, use a store-bought graham cracker crust and bake it for 5-10 minutes before adding the cheesecake layer.
- Try different fruits like pears, peaches, or berries for the topping, adjusting cooking time and sugar accordingly.
- If avoiding eggs, use flaxseed meal or a commercial egg replacer, keeping in mind the texture may vary slightly.
Storage
Store leftover cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving for best results.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought crust for the cheesecake?
Absolutely. A store-bought graham cracker crust saves time and works well. Just adjust baking time to about 5-10 minutes to prevent overbaking.
Can I substitute different fruits for the apple topping?
Yes, pears, peaches, or mixed berries make great alternatives. Softer fruits may need less cooking, and you might want to adjust the sugar based on their sweetness.
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Apple Pie Cheesecake Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
This Apple Pie Cheesecake is a delightful fusion of classic apple pie flavors and creamy cheesecake texture. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a smooth and fluffy cream cheese layer, and a luscious spiced apple topping, this dessert offers the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy notes. Baked to perfection and chilled to set, it’s garnished with whipped cream and caramel sauce for an extra indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 24 oz (675g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream or heavy cream
For the Apple Topping:
- 3 large apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (to thicken)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
For Garnish:
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan or line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until everything is well combined and looks like wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and a little up the sides of your springform pan. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Once done, take it out and let it cool a bit.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and sour cream (or heavy cream) until you have a nice creamy batter.
- Bake the Cheesecake: Pour the delicious cheesecake batter over the cooled crust and spread it out evenly. Place the cheesecake in the oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes. The edges should look set, but the center should still have a slight jiggle. Now, turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake sit inside for 1 hour. This helps prevent cracks!
- Prepare the Apple Topping: While the cheesecake cools, grab a large skillet and melt the butter over medium heat. Toss in the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and lemon juice. Cook while stirring occasionally until the apples are tender and coated in a sweet syrup, about 10 minutes.
- Thicken the Apple Mixture: Sprinkle the flour over the apple mixture and stir to combine, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens a bit. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Assemble Your Cheesecake: Once the cheesecake is completely cooled (preferably chilled for a few hours or overnight in the fridge), spoon the apple topping evenly over the cheesecake.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice the cheesecake and top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy this delightful mix of cheesecake and apple pie flavors in every bite!
Notes
- You can use a store-bought graham cracker crust to save time; reduce baking time to 5-10 minutes as needed.
- Substitute apples with pears, peaches, or berries, adjusting cooking time and sugar accordingly.
- Store leftover cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze slices for up to 3 months.
- Egg-free option: use flaxseed meal or commercial egg replacer; texture may vary slightly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Apple Pie Cheesecake, Cheesecake, Apple Dessert, Baked Cheesecake, Fall Dessert, Graham Cracker Crust, Spiced Apple Topping
