Description
Silky Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake blends classic dessert flavors into one irresistible creation. Crisp graham cracker crust and rich cream cheese filling complement sweet-tart apples and luxurious caramel, promising pure indulgence for you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 apples (588 g / 20.7 oz), medium
- 32 oz (907 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 eggs, large, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (308 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 g) sour cream, full-fat, room temperature
- 6 tbsps (85 g) salted butter, cubed
- ½ cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 and ¼ tsps cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, to taste
- 6 tbsps salted butter
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 2 tsps cornstarch mixed with 2 tsps water
- 1–2 tbsps apple cider (or water if cider isn’t available)
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Prep Station: Gather all necessary ingredients and equipment, ensuring a smooth workflow. Consider spreading preparation across multiple days for convenience.
- Apple Filling Crafting: Sauté apple slices with spices in a saucepan until tender. Thicken with cornstarch mixture, then cool completely in a separate bowl.
- Crust Formation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Press crust mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, baking for 10 minutes. Prepare water bath technique simultaneously.
- Cheesecake Base Creation: Whip cream cheese and sugar until silky smooth. Gradually blend in eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and spices, ensuring uniform consistency.
- Layer Assembly: Pour half the cheesecake batter over the crust. Distribute cooled apple filling evenly, then cover with remaining batter for a seamless finish.
- Baking Process: Situate cheesecake in water bath, baking 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. Seek a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken. After baking, leave in oven with door slightly open for 1 hour to prevent surface cracking.
- Chilling Phase: Refrigerate for minimum 6 hours or overnight to develop optimal flavor and texture.
- Topping Preparation: Create crumble by baking mixture on parchment-lined sheet until golden brown. Cool completely at room temperature.
- Caramel Sauce Creation: Prepare salted caramel sauce using preferred method, allowing to cool before final application.
- Final Decoration: Once thoroughly chilled, embellish cheesecake with reserved apple topping, generously sprinkle crumble, and drizzle caramel sauce just before serving.
- Make-Ahead Strategy: Apple fillings, caramel sauce, and crumble can be prepared days in advance and stored in sealed containers for maximum convenience.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Gather all ingredients and tools before starting to streamline the baking process and ensure smooth execution.
- Master the Water Bath: Use a water bath to create a gentle, even baking environment that prevents cheesecake from cracking and ensures a silky smooth texture.
- Patience is Key: Allow the cheesecake to cool slowly in the oven with the door slightly open to prevent sudden temperature changes that can cause surface cracks.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare components like apple filling, caramel sauce, and crumble topping days in advance to reduce day-of stress and enhance flavor development.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 48 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg