Description
A decadent Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the comforting flavors of spiced apples and a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with luscious caramel sauce and a hint of sea salt for the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Apple Pie Layer
- 3 cups apples, peeled and sliced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cheesecake Filling
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for even baking.
- Prepare the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a springform pan to form the crust layer for the cheesecake.
- Macerate the Apples: Mix the sliced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Allow this mixture to sit for 10 minutes so the apples can soften slightly and the flavors meld.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: Beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Assemble the Layers: Pour half of the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust. Then, layer half of the apple mixture on top. Pour the remaining cheesecake filling over the apples, followed by the remaining apple mixture.
- Bake: Place the assembled cheesecake in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. After baking, turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool inside for one hour to prevent cracking.
- Cool and Finish: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with sea salt to enhance the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use a water bath or place a baking pan with water underneath to minimize cracking during baking.
- Softened cream cheese at room temperature blends better and prevents lumps.
- For best results, chill the cheesecake overnight before serving.
- If caramel sauce is too thick, warm slightly before drizzling.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance sweetness.
