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Apple Crumble Cheesecake with Caramel Apple Topping Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 107 reviews

This Apple Crumble Cheesecake combines a buttery shortbread crust with a luscious caramel apple layer, creamy cheesecake filling, and a crunchy pecan apple topping. Baked to perfection with a water bath for a silky texture, this dessert offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures, perfect for autumn gatherings or a comforting treat any time of the year.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Shortbread Crust:

  • 1½ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature and quartered
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk from a large egg, room temperature
  • Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Apple Layer:

  • 2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced into thin wedges
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup salted caramel sauce, plus more for serving

For the Cheesecake:

  • 2 (8-oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

For the Pecan Apple Topping:

  • 2 apples, peeled, cored and diced (about the size of chickpeas)
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ lb pecans, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup rolled oats or old fashioned oats

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400F to prepare for baking the crust.
  2. Prepare Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, butter, sugar, egg yolk, and salt using a pastry cutter or handheld mixer until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with visible bits of butter.
  3. Form and Bake Crust: Press the crust mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and bake for 12-15 minutes until light golden brown.
  4. Cook Caramel Apple Layer: In a medium skillet or non-stick pan, cook apple wedges with butter and cinnamon over medium heat until soft and tender, about 7-10 minutes. Set aside.
  5. Lower Oven Temperature: Remove crust from oven and reduce oven temperature to 325F.
  6. Assemble Apple Layer: Pour the cooked apples over the baked crust and drizzle with salted caramel sauce. Set aside while making cheesecake filling.
  7. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar on low-medium speed in a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes.
  8. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract until incorporated.
  9. Assemble Cheesecake: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the apple layer in the pan and smooth the top evenly.
  10. Prepare Water Bath: Place a roasting pan or 9×13 inch baking pan on the bottom shelf of the oven and fill it ⅔ full with hot water to create a water bath for baking.
  11. Bake Cheesecake: Place the cheesecake on the middle rack and bake for 30-35 minutes until set but the center is still slightly jiggly.
  12. Prepare Pecan Apple Topping: While baking, cook the diced apples, brown sugar, butter, pecans, and oats over low-medium heat in a skillet until apples are tender and the topping is sticky, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
  13. Cool Cheesecake: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and cool on the countertop. Run a thin knife around the edges to loosen after a few minutes.
  14. Assemble and Chill: Once the cheesecake and topping have cooled to room temperature, spread the topping evenly over the cheesecake. Refrigerate in the pan for 4-6 hours or preferably overnight to set fully.
  15. Serve: Drizzle additional salted caramel sauce over slices before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Number of servings depends on slice size; nutrition info is based on 12 servings.
  • Granny Smith apples recommended for baking but you can use your preferred apple variety.
  • For salted caramel sauce, use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own up to 2 days ahead.
  • Cheesecake is set when edges start to pull away and center wobbles but isn’t soupy.
  • Topping can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge until assembly.
  • Refer to the recipe post for step-by-step photos and baking tips.

Keywords: apple crumble cheesecake, caramel apple cheesecake, pecan apple topping, autumn dessert, baked cheesecake

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/apple-crumble-cheesecake-with-caramel-apple-topping-recipe/