Caramel Apple Cheesecake Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Recipe

This decadent fall caramel apple cheesecake recipe, flavored with applesauce and topped with caramel and tender apples, is a holiday showstopper.

Prep Time1

Cook Time2

Total Time3

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 510kcal

Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams

Equipment

Ingredients

Salted Caramel Sauce:

1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons salted butter cubed, room temperature
½ cup heavy whipping cream room temperature

Crust:

2 cups Vanilla Wafer Crumbs about 1/2-3/4 of an 11 ounce box
½ cup salted butter melted
¼ cup light brown sugar loosely packed

Cheesecake Filling:

24 ounces cream cheese room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup sour cream room temperature
½ cup applesauce
¼ cup caramel sauce
4 large eggs room temperature

Cinnamon Apples:

2 ½ cups chopped apples any variety (about 2-3 apples)
3 tablespoons light brown sugar loosely packed
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon salted butter
Additional caramel sauce

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the Caramel Sauce:

Pour the sugar in an even layer in a large saucepan. Heat the sugar over medium-high heat, whisking the sugar until melted. The sugar will clump up first, but will eventually completely melt after about 10 to 15 minutes.
Once the sugar has melted, stop whisking and allow the sugar to cook until it has turned a little darker amber color. You may notice a nutty aroma. The change in color will happen quickly so don't let it go too long or get too dark or it will burn. Turn off the stove but leave the caramel over the heat.
Slowly add the butter and whisk until combined. It is very important that the butter is room temperature or warmer. If it's too cold, the caramel will seize. The mixture will bubble up, but keep whisking until all the butter has melted and combined.
Slowly pour the heavy whipping cream into the caramel and whisk constantly until incorporated. Again temperature is very important. If it's too cold, the caramel will seize. Set the caramel aside to cool.

For the Crust:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
To make the crust, combine the vanilla wafer crumbs, butter, and brown sugar in a small bowl and stir with a fork to combine. Press into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool. Cover the outside of the pan with aluminum foil so that water from the water bath cannot get in. Set the prepared pan aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.

For the Cheesecake Filling:

In the bowl of your stand mixer, blend the cream cheese, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon on low speed until well combined and smooth. Make sure to use low speed while beating to avoid adding excess air, which will cause the cheesecake to crack.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the sour cream, applesauce, and caramel sauce until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is mixed. Pour the cheesecake filling into the crust.
Place the cheesecake pan in a larger roasting pan. Place the pan in the oven and then fill the pan with enough warm water to go about halfway up the side of the springform pan. The water should not go above the top of the foil. Bake the cheesecake for 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven with the door closed for 30 minutes. Do not open the door! After 30 minutes, crack the oven door and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another 20 minutes. Take the cheesecake out of the oven and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then remove the pan from the water bath and remove the foil. Wrap it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until it's completely cool and firm, 6-7 hours or overnight.
Don't remove the springform pan from the cheesecake until it's done chilling and you're ready to assemble.

For the Cinnamon Apple Topping:

Combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and butter in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the apples are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Spread the top of the cheesecake with additional caramel sauce, then spoon the apples over the top in the center. Drizzle additional caramel down the sides of the cheesecake if desired. Refrigerate cheesecake until ready to serve.
It's best eaten within 2-3 days but should last 4-5 days.

Notes

Beating the Cheesecake Filling. Use low speed so you avoid adding excess air to the mixture which is what causes the cheesecake to crack.

Filling the Water Bath. Its purpose is to keep any water from getting into the pan so the water should not go above the top of the foil.

Always Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese. Softened cream cheese is creamier when mixed, and it blends better with the other ingredients in the recipe. If the cream cheese is too cold, your mix will be lumpy, and so will your finished cake.

Use a Springform Pan. Springform pans help you avoid having to invert your regular cake pan just to have the cheesecake completely fall apart. Be sure to grease the bottom and the sides before baking and you’re guaranteed a smooth release.

Do Not Overbake and Allow it Time to Cool. It's important to be patient with your cheesecake and allow it the proper amount of time to cool and settle. Rushing the baking process, placing it in the fridge before it has come to room temperature, and cutting it too early are surefire ways to ruin the cake.

Nutrition