Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Caramel Apple Cheesecake. Cinnamon praline crust. Apple butter, caramel, cinnamon, brown sugar cheesecake. Topped with caramelized apples. Served with whipped cream.
Equipment
- 1 (9-inch) springform pan
Ingredients
Praline Crust:
- 200 grams cinnamon graham crackers (12 crackers)
- 90 grams whole or chopped pecans (3/4 cup)
- 115 grams unsalted butter (1 stick OR 1/2 cup)
- 1 gram sea salt (1/4 teaspoon)
- 100 grams light or dark brown sugar (1/2 cup)
- 42 grams unsalted butter (3 tablespoons), melted
Cheesecake Filling:
- 672 grams cream cheese (three 8-ounces each packages), room temperature
- 200 grams light brown sugar (1 cup)
- 25 grams all-purpose flour (3 tablespoons)
- 3 grams ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
- 125 grams sour cream (1/2 cup), room temperature
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 200 grams egg (4 large), room temperature
Caramelized Apples:
- 2 to 3 each apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- 14 grams unsalted butter (1 tablespoon)
- 15 grams fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
- 3 grams ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
- 50 grams light brown sugar (1/4 cup), loosely packed
Instructions
Praline Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a large rimmed baking pan with parchment paper or silpat mat. Arrange the cinnamon graham crackers in the center of the tray on the parchment.
- Sprinkle the pecans over the crackers. Set aside.
- Add the unsalted butter, sea salt and brown sugar to a small saucepan.
- Melt the butter and sugar over medium heat. Whisk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue stirring for about 2 minutes.
- Pour the hot sugar mixture over the crackers and pecans. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly over the crackers and nuts.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven. Cool completely at room temperature. Break up the crackers and add to food processor bowl. Pulse until crumbs. Add melted butter to food processor. Pulse until well combined.
- Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Use a flat bottomed glass or small offset spatula to create an even crust.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Cheesecake Filling:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Add the softened cream cheese to stand mixer. Beat on low until smooth.
- Add light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon to cream cheese in stand mixer bowl.
- Beat on low speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula, if necessary.
- Add the sour cream, apple butter, and caramel sauce to the cheese mixture. Beat on low until smooth and well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time and beat on low just until incorporated.
- Wrap heavy duty foil along the bottom and up the sides of the chilled springform pan with praline crust. Repeat with a second piece of foil.
- Pour the prepared cheesecake filling into the springform pan over the crust.
- Place the springform pan into a large roasting pan. Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven. Add enough warm water to the roasting pan to go about halfway up the sides of the springform pan, but not over the foil.
- Bake in preheated oven for 90 minutes. Turn off the oven, do not open the oven door and let set for 30 minutes. Open the oven an inch or so and let set for 30 minutes. Remove the springform pan from the roasting pan, and set on wire rack to cool to room temperature.
- Remove the foil. Leave the cheesecake in the springform pan, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight to set completely.
- Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan.
Caramelized Apples:
- Add the prepared apple slices, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and light brown sugar to a large skillet. Heat over medium low heat 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often, or until the apples have softened.
- Remove the apples with a slotted spoon to a small bowl. Continue to cook the remaining liquid until it thickens. Add the thickened sauce to the apples.
- Place the cheesecake on a serving plate and top with caramelized apples.