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Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake: The Ultimate Fall Dessert
When the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, there’s nothing quite like indulging in a warm, comforting dessert that combines the best flavors of the season. If you’re craving something sweet and indulgent, Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake is the perfect treat to make. It brings together the creamy richness of cheesecake, the spiced sweetness of baked apples, and the crunchy, buttery crumble topping — all drizzled with luscious caramel sauce. This dessert is an absolute crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full crackers)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are great choices)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup heavy cream
For the Crumble Topping:
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
For the Caramel Sauce:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture is evenly coated and holds together when pressed.
- Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Use the back of a spoon to firmly press it down to create an even crust.
- Bake the crust for about 8–10 minutes, or until it is golden brown and slightly set. Remove from the oven and let it cool while you prepare the rest of the cheesecake.
2. Make the Apple Filling:
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into small chunks.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir to combine and cook the apples for about 5–7 minutes, or until they begin to soften and release their juices. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the sugar and continue to beat until fully incorporated.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add the flour, sour cream, and heavy cream. Beat until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust in the springform pan.
4. Assemble the Cheesecake:
- Carefully spoon the apple filling over the cheesecake batter, spreading it evenly.
- Gently press the apples into the cheesecake layer so that they are nestled into the batter. This will allow the apples to bake in and infuse the cheesecake with flavor.
