Best Cheesecake with Apple Caramel Topping
This Best Cheesecake with Apple Caramel Topping combines a smooth and creamy cheesecake with a sweet, tangy apple caramel topping. Perfect for any season, this dessert is sure to impress at gatherings, holidays, or as a delicious treat just for yourself. The rich cheesecake base paired with the warm, sticky caramelized apples creates a comforting, indulgent dessert that’s both flavorful and visually stunning.
Rich, velvety cheesecake topped with tender apples caramelized in a buttery, sweet syrup. The contrast between the creamy cheesecake and the warm, spiced apple topping is a match made in heaven. It’s a decadent dessert that brings the perfect balance of sweetness and texture!
Tools to Use:
- 9-inch springform pan
- Electric mixer (or hand whisk)
- Large saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Knife for slicing apples
- Oven
Ingredients:
For the Cheesecake:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuit crumbs)
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 4 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
For the Apple Caramel Topping:
- 3 medium apples (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cheesecake Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form a tight, even crust.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Once baked, set it aside to cool while you prepare the filling.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until fully combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Once the mixture is smooth, add the sour cream and cinnamon (if using), mixing until fully combined.
- Pour the cheesecake batter onto the cooled crust in the springform pan.
3. Bake the Cheesecake:
- Bake the cheesecake at 325°F (160°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is set but slightly jiggly. It should look firm and lightly golden around the edges.
- Turn off the oven, crack the oven door, and allow the cheesecake to cool for 1 hour.
- Afterward, transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set.
4. Make the Apple Caramel Topping:
- While the cheesecake is chilling, heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the sliced apples.
- Cook the apples for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
- Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the caramel sauce thickens and coats the apples.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the topping to cool slightly.
5. Assemble the Cheesecake:
- Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, carefully release the sides of the springform pan.
- Spoon the warm apple caramel topping over the cheesecake, spreading the apples evenly over the surface.
- Optionally, garnish with additional cinnamon or chopped nuts like pecans for extra flavor, or gram cracker crumble on top.
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Best Cheesecake with Apple Caramel Topping
Equipment
- 9-inch springform pan
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Large saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
- Knife for slicing apples
- Oven
Ingredients
- For the Cheesecake:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs or digestive biscuit crumbs
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- 4 packages 8 oz each cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- For the Apple Caramel Topping:
- 3 medium apples preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form a tight, even crust.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Once baked, set it aside to cool while you prepare the filling.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until fully combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Once the mixture is smooth, add the sour cream and cinnamon (if using), mixing until fully combined.
- Pour the cheesecake batter onto the cooled crust in the springform pan.
- Bake the Cheesecake:
- Bake the cheesecake at 325°F (160°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is set but slightly jiggly. It should look firm and lightly golden around the edges.
- Turn off the oven, crack the oven door, and allow the cheesecake to cool for 1 hour.
- Afterward, transfer the cheesecake to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight to fully set.
- Make the Apple Caramel Topping:
- While the cheesecake is chilling, heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the sliced apples.
- Cook the apples for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
- Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the caramel sauce thickens and coats the apples.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the topping to cool slightly.
- Assemble the Cheesecake:
- Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, carefully release the sides of the springform pan.
- Spoon the warm apple caramel topping over the cheesecake, spreading the apples evenly over the surface.
- Optionally, garnish with additional cinnamon or chopped nuts like pecans for extra flavor, or gram cracker crumble on top.
Tips for Cooking:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature before starting to ensure a smooth batter without lumps.
- Apple Selection: Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness of the caramel topping.
- Make-Ahead: This cheesecake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just add the apple topping right before serving for the best freshness.
- No Water Bath Needed: Unlike many cheesecakes, this recipe doesn’t require a water bath, making it easier to prepare.
Why You Should Try This Recipe:
This Best Cheesecake with Apple Caramel Topping is the ultimate dessert for those who love a balance of creamy and fruity. The smooth cheesecake pairs beautifully with the sweet, spiced caramelized apples, making it a dessert that will be the star of any event. It’s simple to make yet tastes incredibly indulgent, and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s rich, flavorful, and comforting, this Cheesecake with Apple Caramel Topping is a must-try. With its creamy texture, buttery crust, and sweet apple topping, it’s a treat everyone will love. Enjoy this delicious dessert with family and friends, and savor every bite!