Description
Indulgent salted caramel apple pie cheesecake blends creamy cheesecake with classic apple pie flavors. Warm spices and rich caramel create a luxurious dessert experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs cream cheese
- 4 large apples
- 1 pie crust
- 4 eggs
Caramel Components:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tbsp sea salt
Baking Enhancers:
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F and prepare a 9-inch springform pan by generously greasing the sides and lining the bottom with parchment paper.
- Craft the pie crust foundation by pressing it evenly into the prepared pan, ensuring a smooth, uniform base that reaches slightly up the sides.
- Create the luscious cheesecake filling by whipping cream cheese until silky smooth, gradually incorporating eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, brown sugar, flour, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Meticulously slice apples into thin, uniform wedges, tossing them with a light dusting of cinnamon to enhance their natural sweetness and aromatic profile.
- Arrange the spiced apple slices in an artistic pattern across the cream cheese base, allowing them to partially sink into the creamy mixture.
- Construct the caramel sauce by carefully caramelizing granulated sugar in a heavy-bottomed pan until it reaches a deep amber color, then gently whisk in heavy cream, butter, and sea salt to create a rich, glossy drizzle.
- Generously cascade the warm caramel sauce over the apple-topped cheesecake, creating intricate swirls and pools of golden sweetness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, watching for a slight jiggle in the center and golden edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set completely.
- Before serving, release the springform pan, garnish with additional caramel drizzle, and slice into decadent wedges that showcase the beautiful layers of creamy cheesecake and spiced apples.
Notes
- Select apples with a firm texture like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to maintain structure and prevent soggy cheesecake base during baking.
- Prevent cheesecake cracking by avoiding overmixing ingredients and using room temperature cream cheese for smoother integration.
- Enhance flavor complexity by toasting nuts like pecans or walnuts and sprinkling them over the caramel drizzle for added crunch and depth.
- Accommodate gluten-sensitive diets by substituting traditional pie crust with almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker crumbs for the crust foundation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg