Description
This Caramel Apple Cheesecake is an indulgent twist on two classic desserts: apple pie and creamy cheesecake. With a buttery graham cracker crust, warmly spiced apple filling, smooth vanilla cheesecake, and a glossy caramel drizzle, it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for fall dinners, holidays, or whenever you’re craving something special. Whether you’re exploring easy dessert ideas, searching for fall baking inspiration, or planning your next show-stopping treat—this easy recipe checks all the boxes for flavor, presentation, and crowd-pleasing appeal.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 medium apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled and thinly sliced
⅓ cup granulated sugar (for apple filling)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons cornstarch
24 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar (for cheesecake batter)
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
½ cup caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Press into the bottom of a springform pan and bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. In a saucepan, cook sliced apples with ⅓ cup sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch over medium heat. Stir until apples are soft and mixture thickens. Cool slightly, then layer over crust.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add 1 cup sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined. Pour over apple layer.
4. Place springform pan in a larger baking dish. Add hot water halfway up the sides to create a water bath. Bake for 60–70 minutes until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly.
5. Turn off oven, crack the door, and let cheesecake cool for 1 hour. Remove from oven and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
6. Drizzle chilled cheesecake with caramel sauce. Garnish with apple slices and crumbled brown sugar topping, if desired. Slice and serve cold.
Notes
Always use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth and creamy cheesecake batter.
Don’t rush the chilling time—overnight refrigeration gives the best texture.
For an extra flavor twist, try a gingersnap crust instead of graham crackers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake, fall dessert, easy cheesecake recipe, apple pie cheesecake, Thanksgiving dessert