Description
This Caramel Apple Cheesecake combines a buttery graham cracker crust, rich vanilla cheesecake filling, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a golden drizzle of homemade caramel. Perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, or a decadent holiday dessert, it’s creamy, cozy, and irresistibly indulgent!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups (180g) graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp (85g) melted unsalted butter
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 oz / 680g total) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (180g) sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
For the Apple Topping:
- 3 medium apples (375g), peeled and thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup (65g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into pan. Bake 8–10 minutes. Cool.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, sour cream, and vanilla. Mix well. Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined.
- Pour filling into cooled crust. Wrap pan in foil, place in roasting pan, and add hot water halfway up sides.
- Bake 60–70 minutes until center is just set. Turn off oven, crack door, and let cool inside 1 hour. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Sauté apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until tender (8–10 minutes).
- Make caramel: melt sugar in saucepan, stir in butter, cream, and salt until smooth. Cool slightly.
- Top cheesecake with apples and drizzle with caramel before serving.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
- Room-temperature cream cheese ensures smooth filling.
- Don’t skip the water bath — it prevents cracking.
- Chill overnight for best flavor and texture.
- Store up to 5 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer (without topping).
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cheesecake, Holiday Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Fall Desserts, Thanksgiving Cheesecake, Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake, Holiday Baking