Description
Silky caramel apple cheesecake pie brings together creamy cheesecake layers and spiced autumn apples in one irresistible dessert. Sweet comfort awaits when you slice into this crowd-pleasing treat that combines classic flavors with delightful textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) granulated sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple and Topping Layer:
- 3 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Prepare the graham cracker foundation by thoroughly mixing crumbs with melted butter and sugar, ensuring an even, compact layer that covers the entire pie pan’s bottom and sides.
- Toast the crust in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for 8-10 minutes, creating a golden, crisp base. Allow the crust to cool completely before proceeding.
- Layer thinly sliced apples across the cooled crust, arranging them in a circular, overlapping pattern to create a visually appealing and uniform surface.
- Whip the cream cheese mixture until smooth and velvety, carefully folding in eggs and vanilla to maintain a light, airy texture without overmixing.
- Gently pour the cream cheese mixture over the apple layer, using a spatula to spread evenly and prevent disturbing the apple arrangement.
- Bake the pie in the center of the oven for approximately 45-50 minutes, watching for a slightly jiggly center that will set during cooling.
- While the cheesecake bakes, prepare the caramel sauce by slowly heating sugar until it transforms into a rich, amber-colored liquid with a deep, complex flavor.
- Once the pie has cooled to room temperature, drizzle the warm caramel sauce in elegant, sweeping motions across the surface, creating an enticing visual design.
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to become perfectly set and creamy.
Notes
- Chill the graham cracker crust completely before adding fillings to prevent soggy bottom and maintain a crisp texture.
- Dice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the pie.
- Consider using a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balanced flavor complexity.
- When making caramel sauce, watch carefully and stir constantly to prevent burning and achieve smooth, golden consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg