Description
This cheesecake brings together crisp-cooked apples, creamy cheesecake, and homemade caramel sauce for an irresistible showstopper. The apples are spiced and softened, then topped with buttery caramel to add warmth and elegance to each bite.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
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2 cups vanilla wafer or graham cracker crumbs (about 14 wafers or crackers)
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1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
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1/4 cup light brown sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling:
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24 oz (3 packages) cream cheese, room temperature
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1 cup packed light brown sugar
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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1 tsp cinnamon
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1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature
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1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature
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1/2 cup applesauce
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1/4 cup caramel sauce (homemade or jarred)
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4 large eggs, room temperature
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2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
For the Apple Topping:
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2–3 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced or chopped (use tart varieties like Granny Smith or sweet-tart Honeycrisp)
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3 tbsp light brown sugar
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2 tsp fresh lemon juice
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1 tsp cinnamon
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1 tbsp butter
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Additional caramel sauce for topping
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
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For the crust: Stir together crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 8–10 minutes. Remove and cool.
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For the filling: Beat cream cheese, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon until smooth. Mix in sour cream, heavy cream, applesauce, and caramel sauce until just combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed. Pour over crust.
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Prepare apple topping: In a skillet, toss apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Cook until slightly softened (about 5 minutes). Cool. Arrange on top of batter if you want apples inside as a layer, otherwise bake plain then top with apples after baking.
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Bake 60–70 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Let cool completely, then refrigerate 4+ hours (preferably overnight).
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Before serving: Arrange apples (if not already added), warm caramel sauce, and drizzle on top. Slice and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 4+ hours
- Cook Time: 60–70 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420–470
- Sugar: 30–35g
- Sodium: 210–260mg
- Fat: 26–29g
- Saturated Fat: 14–16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8–10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46–52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 110–130mg