The creamiest cheesecake topped with soft apples and a simple, elegant caramel sauce inspired by English toffee.
Cream cheese was always a must. But cheesecake made entirely with cream cheese is often too firm and crumbly, so cutting it with another dairy was needed. I tested with heavy cream, mascarpone, and crème fraîche, but settled on sour cream, which adds creaminess and tang to balance the sweetness of the cheesecake.
In my opinion, plain cheesecake is too decadent on its own and requires the addition of fruit. At Gramercy Tavern, we often caramelize sugar on top of the cheesecake, just like you would do with crème brûlée, and serve it with seasonal fruit like raspberries, figs, or concord grapes. But while it’s easy to brûlée individual miniature cheesecakes, it is harder to do so with one large cheesecake. The solution? Making a quick caramel sauce. Cooking apples in it creates a complex and flavorful topping that looks equally delicious and dramatic.
Luxurious Caramel Apple Cheesecake! 🍏🍮
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
24 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for topping)
1 cup apple pie filling
1 apple, chopped (for garnish)
Crumbled graham crackers (for garnish)
Directions:
Prepare the Crust:
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
Make the Cheesecake Batter:
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and sour cream until well combined.
Assemble the Cheesecake:
Pour half of the cheesecake batter over the crust in the pan.
Add a layer of apple pie filling and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Pour the remaining cheesecake batter over the apple layer.
Bake the Cheesecake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are lightly browned.
Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool in the oven with the door slightly open for 1 hour.
Remove from oven and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Garnish and Serve:
Before serving, garnish with chopped apples, crumbled graham crackers, and extra caramel sauce.
Nutritional Information:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours (including cooling and chilling)
Kcal: 480 kcal per slice
Servings: 12 slices
Indulge in the rich and delightful flavors of this Caramel Apple Cheesecake! Perfect for any occasion, this dessert is sure to impress.
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