Caramel Apple Cheesecake

A Caramel Apple Cheesecake is a delicious dessert that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the sweet, tangy flavor of apples and a luscious caramel topping. Here’s a simple recipe to try:

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake:

• 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 large eggs

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

For the caramel apple topping:

• 4 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.

2. Make the crust by combining the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until the mixture is well combined.

3. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared springform pan, making sure it’s evenly spread out.

4. Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the cheesecake filling.

For the cheesecake:

1. Beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.

2. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

3. Stir in the sour cream and flour, mixing just until smooth.

4. Pour the cheesecake batter onto the cooled crust in the springform pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.

5. Bake the cheesecake for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is slightly jiggly. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven with the door ajar for 1 hour to cool slowly.

6. Remove from the oven and let the cheesecake cool completely at room temperature. Then, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set.

For the caramel apple topping:

1. Cook the apples: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the apples are tender and coated with the sugar mixture.

2. Add the heavy cream and vanilla: Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract, and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the caramel sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for a bit.

3. Top the cheesecake: Once the cheesecake has chilled, spoon the caramel apple topping evenly over the top.

4. Serve and enjoy: Slice the cheesecake and serve chilled. Enjoy the creamy, apple-caramel goodness!

This Caramel Apple Cheesecake is a great fall dessert but can be enjoyed anytime. You can even make the caramel apple topping in advance and store it in the fridge for a quicker prep when serving.