Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake

These Mini No-Bake Apple Pie Cheesecakes are the perfect treat! Combining the creamy richness of cheesecake with spiced apple pie filling and a buttery graham cracker crust, these bite-sized delights are topped with a crumble and drizzled with salted caramel. Easy to make and packed with comforting flavors, they’re a crowd-pleasing dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

Apple Filling:

• 4 medium apples (peeled, sliced)
• 3 tbsp salted butter
• 1-2 tbsp apple cider or water
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ⅛ tsp allspice
• 1-2 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water

Crust:

• 3 cups cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup + 3 tbsp salted butter (melted)

Cheesecake:

• 32 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup full-fat sour cream (room temperature)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp ground cloves

Crumble Topping:

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ¼ cup cold salted butter (cubed)

Salted Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp salted butter (cubed)
• ½ cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream
• Pinch of flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Apple Filling: Peel and slice apples (¼ to ½ inch thick). Cook in a saucepan with butter, sugar, and spices for 8-14 minutes. Set aside.
2. Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Stir together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into a 9-inch springform pan and bake for 10 minutes.
3. Cheesecake: Beat cream cheese until creamy. Mix in sugar, eggs, sour cream, and spices. Pour half the batter over the crust, add apple filling, then the remaining batter. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, then cool and chill.
4. Crumble Topping: Mix oats, flour, sugar, and butter. Bake until golden. Let cool.
5. Caramel Sauce: Melt sugar, stir in butter and cream. Drizzle over the cheesecake before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

1. Caramelized Apple Pie Filling & Topping: Sliced apples are quickly cooked with butter, brown sugar, and spices until they become tender and caramelized. This forms a delicious homemade apple pie filling.
2. Creamy Cheesecake Filling: A silky, baked vanilla cinnamon cheesecake serves as the base of this fall-themed dessert.
3. Crisp Graham Cracker Crust: The crust is made from cinnamon-flavored graham crackers, adding a hint of spice to the base.
4. Buttery Oat Crumble Topping: This crumble topping is baked separately and adds a crispy texture to the soft cheesecake.
5. Salted Caramel Sauce: This homemade sauce ties everything together with a sweet and salty finish.

Ingredient Overview and Substitutions:

1. Apples: Use a firm baking apple such as Honeycrisp, Jonathan, or Fuji. Avoid softer varieties like McIntosh.
2. Graham Crackers: Cinnamon graham crackers are recommended, but you can substitute with biscoff cookies or gingersnap cookies.
3. Butter: Salted butter enhances the flavor, but unsalted can be used if preferred.
4. Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, block-style cream cheese at room temperature.
5. Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream at room temperature is recommended for the best consistency.

Substitutions:

• Dairy-Free: Substitute with dairy-free alternatives if needed. This hasn’t been tested by the recipe author.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free graham crackers to make the dessert gluten-free.

Detailed Ingredient Information and Function:

1. Apples:
   • Flavor and Texture: Firm, sweet, and tart apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji are recommended to maintain structure during cooking and baking. These varieties also provide a balance between sweetness and acidity.
   • Tips for Use: Cut the apples to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick for the filling and 1/2 to 3/4 inch for topping. For more uniform slices, use an apple corer and slicer.
2. Spices Used:
   • Cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet, and woody flavor, which is quintessential for apple desserts.
   • Nutmeg: Provides a slightly nutty and sweet flavor with a hint of bitterness.
   • Cloves & Allspice: Both enhance the complexity with their pungent and peppery notes. Use sparingly to avoid overpowering the other ingredients.
3. Cream Cheese:
   • Full-fat Cream Cheese: Essential for a rich and creamy texture. The cream cheese should be at room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth blending without lumps.
   • Brand Considerations: Choose Philadelphia or other high-quality brands for the best consistency and flavor.
4. Sour Cream:
   • Purpose: Sour cream helps soften the cream cheese’s dense texture and adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the filling and caramel sauce.
5. Graham Cracker Crust:
   • Cinnamon Flavored: The added cinnamon flavor enhances the base, creating a cohesive flavor profile with the apple and spice notes.
   • Substitutions: Biscoff cookies add a caramelized flavor, while gingersnap cookies introduce a spicier element to the base.
6. Salted Caramel Sauce:
   • Flavor Balance: The addition of sea salt to the caramel prevents the dessert from becoming too sweet and enhances the overall flavor profile.

Recipe Preparation Details:

1. Step 1: Preparing the Apple Filling:
   • Cook the apple slices with butter, brown sugar, and spices over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the mixture dries up, add a splash of apple cider or water to keep it moist.
   • Tip: If desired, add a teaspoon of lemon zest or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (in addition to the liquid) for an extra tangy flavor.
2. Step 2: Making the Graham Cracker Crust:
   • Mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and a pinch of sugar. Press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
   • Tip: Use a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup to ensure an even, compact crust layer.
3. Step 3: Cheesecake Filling:
   • Beat cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Gradually add sugar, vanilla, and spices while mixing.
   • Tip: Avoid over-beating the batter after adding the eggs, as it introduces too much air, which can cause the cheesecake to rise excessively and crack during baking.
4. Step 4: Assembly and Baking:
   • Pour half of the cheesecake batter over the baked crust, spread the apple filling evenly, and top with the remaining cheesecake batter.
   • Bake in a water bath to ensure even cooking and prevent the top from cracking. To avoid leakage, place the springform pan in a larger cake pan inside the water bath.
5. Step 5: Crumble Topping:
   • Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt with cold butter. Cut the butter into the mixture using a pastry blender until pea-sized crumbs form. Bake separately until golden brown and crisp.
6. Step 6: Salted Caramel Sauce:
   • Melt granulated sugar in a saucepan until amber-colored. Add butter and whisk until combined, then slowly pour in heavy cream. Finish with a pinch of sea salt for a balanced flavor.
   • Tip: If the caramel sauce crystallizes, reheat it gently while stirring continuously until smooth.
7. Final Assembly and Serving:
   • Once the cheesecake is chilled, top with the remaining apple filling, sprinkle the crumble on top, and drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce. Serve with additional caramel sauce on the side.

Advanced Tips and Techniques:

1. Using a Water Bath Effectively:
   • Wrapping the springform pan in multiple layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil prevents water from seeping in. Alternatively, place the springform pan inside a larger cake pan before putting it in the water bath.
2. Preventing Cracks in the Cheesecake:
   • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to avoid lumps.
   • Avoid opening the oven door during the first hour of baking to prevent drastic temperature changes.
3. Achieving the Perfect Crust:
   • If you prefer a softer crust, bake it for only 8 minutes. For a crunchier texture, bake it for 12-14 minutes.
4. Caramel Sauce Troubleshooting:
   • If the caramel sauce splits or appears oily, add a few drops of cold water and whisk vigorously to bring it back together.
5. Serving Suggestions:
   • Top each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon or nutmeg.
   • Serve with a side of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic flavor pairing.

Additional Recipe Variations:

1. Maple Apple Cheesecake: Substitute the brown sugar in the apple filling with maple syrup and add a teaspoon of maple extract to the cheesecake batter.
2. Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake: Replace the apple filling with pumpkin puree and add pumpkin spice to the batter for a fall-themed twist.
3. Cranberry Apple Cheesecake: Add a layer of cranberry sauce between the apple filling and cheesecake batter for a festive, tangy variation.

Full Nutritional Analysis (Per Serving):

• Calories: 822 kcal
• Total Fat: 51g
  • Saturated Fat: 29g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 195mg
• Sodium: 573mg
• Potassium: 366mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 85g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Sugars: 63g
• Protein: 10g
• Vitamins:
  • Vitamin A: 1822 IU
  • Vitamin C: 6mg
• Minerals:
  • Calcium: 156mg
  • Iron: 2mg