This hassle-free Caramel Apple cheesecake recipe is a delicious take on two dessert classics — cheesecake and apple pie. We opted to present ours as individual cheesecakes, making them easy to serve and fun to eat! Serves 4.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Ingredients
Caramel Apples
1 Large Golden Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and chopped (about 1 cup)
2 tbsp. Granulated Sugar
¼ tsp. Cinnamon
2 tbsp. Prepared Caramel Sauce
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
1 Pinch Salt
¼ tsp. Vanilla Extract
Cheesecake Filling
8 oz. Full Fat Cream Cheese, softened
¼ c. Granulated Sugar
½ tsp. Vanilla Extract
¾ c. Heavy Whipping Cream
1 tsp. Maple Syrup
Graham Cracker Crust
1 c. Graham Cracker Crumbs
2 tbsp. Unsalted Butter, melted
Whipped Cream Topping
1 c. Heavy Whipping Cream
½ tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 tsp. Maple Syrup
The Method
For the Caramel Apples:
1. In a saucepan over high heat, add the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and prepared caramel sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for about five minutes or until the apples are softened. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice, vanilla extract, and salt.
2. Transfer the mixture to a heat-safe dish and allow to cool.
For the cheesecake:
1. Beat the cream cheese, vanilla extract, and sugar in a mixing bowl using a standing or hand mixer until smooth.
2. Add the heavy whipping cream and maple syrup then beat the mixture until it is thick and creamy.
For the graham cracker crust:
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the graham cracker crumbs. The mixture should be somewhat crumbly, not a solid mass.
For the whipped cream topping:
In a mixing bowl, whip the cream, vanilla, and maple syrup with a standing or hand mixer until it has soft peaks.
Assemble:
Grab your dishes - we used sundae glasses, Ball jars would be cute too. Spoon the crust into the bottom of the dishes, leaving some to the side for decorating. Press the crust into the dishes with a spoon. Then scoop in the cheesecake filling, the Caramel Apples, and finish by dolloping or piping the whipped cream topping on top, and sprinkle with some of the leftover graham cracker crust. Chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!
No-Bake vs. Baked
When it comes to cheesecakes, there are two main options: baked or unbaked. No-bake cheesecakes do not contain eggs and set by chilling in the fridge. Baked cheesecakes, on the other hand, typically include eggs and require heat to help them set. They have a dense, velvety texture, while the no-bake variety is usually light and airy.
Cheesecakes are relatively easy to make. However, small mistakes can ruin the dessert entirely. Be sure to avoid these common mistakes when you make a no-bake Caramel Apple cheesecake:
- Cold ingredients: If you try to mix cold cream cheese into the filling, it can result in a lumpy mixture. Be sure to use room temperature cream cheese. Microwave it, if needed.
- Over-mixing the batter: If too much air is incorporated into the batter, cracks can form on the surface of the cheesecake.
- Forgetting to scrape the bowl: Be sure to scrape the sides of the mixing bowl after each step to ensure the ingredients are well incorporated.
Endless Flavor Options
From fruity to savory, many fun and scrumptious flavors can be added to spruce up the classic cheesecake, including:
- Peanut butter and espresso
- Rhubarb and custard
- Salted honey and ginger
- Dark chocolate and passion fruit
Caramel Apple makes for a delicious cheesecake because of its sweet and sour combination. Plus, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the fall season. To satisfy your Caramel Apple fix even more, order Mrs Prindables gourmet confections today!