Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Recipe
This decadent Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake combines the best of fall flavors with a creamy, smooth cheesecake layered over a spiced apple filling and a buttery graham cracker crust. Finished with a rich homemade salted caramel sauce, this dessert is perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple Filling
- 3 cups peeled and sliced apples
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Cheesecake
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Salted Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp sea salt
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure it is at the perfect temperature for baking the crust and cheesecake.
- Prepare the Crust: In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely, which helps set the base.
- Make Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled and sliced apples with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and flour. Toss well to coat the apples evenly with the mixture.
- Layer Apples: Spread the apple filling evenly over the cooled graham cracker crust in the springform pan.
- Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth batter.
- Incorporate Flavors: Mix in vanilla extract and sour cream until fully combined and the mixture is smooth.
- Assemble Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake batter over the apple layer in the springform pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake Cheesecake: Bake the assembled cheesecake in the oven for 60-70 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up.
- Make Salted Caramel Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar until it becomes amber-colored, stirring gently to avoid burning.
- Add Butter: Stir in the unsalted butter until it is fully melted and incorporated into the caramel.
- Incorporate Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while continuously stirring to create a smooth sauce.
- Add Salt and Finish Sauce: Remove the caramel sauce from heat and stir in the sea salt to balance the sweetness with a savory touch.
- Serve: Drizzle the cooled salted caramel sauce generously over the chilled cheesecake slices before serving for a rich, luscious finish.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness that complements the caramel and cheesecake.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in your batter.
- Do not overbake the cheesecake; it should have a slight jiggle in the center to prevent cracking.
- Allow the caramel to cool slightly before drizzling, but pour while still pourable for best texture.
- Store any leftover cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cheesecake)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: Salted caramel cheesecake, apple pie cheesecake, fall dessert, autumn cheesecake, graham cracker crust cheesecake