Ingredients

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs

¼ cup brown sugar

6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

½ tsp cinnamon

16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ cup sour cream

2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled & diced

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp brown sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

1 tsp lemon juice

¼ cup flour

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp rolled oats

2 tbsp butter, melted

Pinch of cinnamon

½ cup soft caramels or caramel sauce

2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).

Step 2: Mix graham cracker crumbs, ¼ cup brown sugar, melted butter, and ½ tsp cinnamon until evenly moistened.

Step 3: Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let cool completely.

Step 4: Beat cream cheese and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and sour cream until combined.

Step 6: Pour cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until just set in the center.

Step 7: Let the cheesecake cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up.

Step 8: In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, 3 tbsp brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–7 minutes until apples soften and are coated in syrup.

Step 9: Allow the apple topping to cool slightly before layering it evenly over the chilled cheesecake.

Step 10: Combine flour, 2 tbsp brown sugar, rolled oats, melted butter, and a pinch of cinnamon in a bowl. Mix until coarse crumbs form.

Step 11: Toast the crumble topping in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes or bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes until golden.

Step 12: Sprinkle the toasted crumble evenly over the apple layer on the cheesecake.

Step 13: Warm caramels or caramel sauce with heavy cream until smooth, then drizzle generously over the top of the pie.

Step 14: Refrigerate the assembled pie for 1 hour before slicing to ensure clean, neat layers.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness that complements the caramel.

For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of ground nutmeg or allspice to the apple topping.

Substitute store-bought caramel sauce for the soft caramels to save time.

Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in your cheesecake filling.

FAQs

Can I use a different crust instead of graham cracker crumbs?

Yes, crushed digestive biscuits or vanilla wafer crumbs work well as alternatives for the crust.

How do I prevent the cheesecake from cracking?

Bake the cheesecake at a low temperature and avoid overbaking. Also, letting it cool gradually and refrigerating before adding toppings helps prevent cracks.