Apple Crumble Cheesecake is the ultimate holiday treat, combining creamy cheesecake, spiced apples, and a buttery crumble topping. Each bite is sweet, cozy, and finished with a drizzle of caramel. Perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings or anytime you crave comfort on a plate.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumble Cheesecake
A comforting fall twist on classic cheesecake
This Apple Crumble Cheesecake recipe brings all the cozy vibes of apple pie and cheesecake in one dessert, making it a must-have holiday favorite.The spiced apple filling melts into the creamy cheesecake layer, while the oat crumble topping adds crunch. With warm cinnamon and nutmeg in every bite, it feels like fall in forkfuls.
No water bath required for perfect results
Unlike most cheesecakes, this recipe skips the fussy water bath. The thick crumble topping protects the filling from cracking while baking. As a result, you get a rich and smooth texture without the stress. You can even place a dish of water in the oven if you want extra moisture, but it’s not required.
Flavor and texture – creamy, spiced, crunchy, and caramel-drizzled
This cheesecake is a flavor bomb. You’ll taste the tart apples, brown sugar custard, and buttery crumble in one bite. The topping stays crisp while the center stays creamy. Drizzle with salted caramel before serving, and you’ll have a Thanksgiving showstopper that disappears fast.
Apple Crumble Cheesecake Ingredients You’ll Need
For the apple filling
You’ll need 1 lb of apples (about 4, peeled and sliced), brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Tart apples like Granny Smith work best because they balance the sweetness.
For the crust
The crust uses graham cracker crumbs, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. It bakes up golden and sturdy, creating a base that holds the creamy filling.
For the crumble topping
This topping mixes flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and butter. Tossing it with your fingers creates those irresistible clusters that bake into crunchy bites.
For the cheesecake filling
Cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and a touch of flour blend into a smooth batter. Using room temperature ingredients ensures no lumps and a silky texture.
Apple Crumble Cheesecake Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the apple filling
Cook the apple slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a skillet over medium heat until soft and fragrant. Let them cool completely before layering into the cheesecake.
Make the graham cracker crust
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch springform pan with parchment. Pulse graham crackers with sugar and cinnamon, then stir in melted butter. Press the mixture into the base and sides of the pan. Bake for 8 minutes, then reduce the oven to 325°F.
Mix the crumble topping
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and toss gently until clusters form. Set aside for later.
Whip up the cheesecake filling
Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and cinnamon, then mix in the eggs one at a time. Blend in sour cream, vanilla, and flour until creamy and lump-free.
Assemble the layers
Pour two-thirds of the cheesecake filling into the cooled crust. Add half the apples. Spoon in the remaining filling, then top with the rest of the apples. Finally, sprinkle all of the crumble topping evenly across the surface.
Bake the cheesecake
Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes, until the topping turns golden and the center still jiggles slightly. Turn off the oven, leave the cheesecake inside for 10 minutes, then remove it carefully.
Cool and chill before serving
Place the pan on a wire rack to cool. Run a knife along the edges to loosen the cheesecake. Remove the pan sides, let it cool fully, and then chill for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Add the salted caramel finish
Right before serving, drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce. Slice with a serrated knife to cut through the crumb topping cleanly.
Expert Tips for the Best Cheesecake
How to prevent cracks
For the best Apple Crumble Cheesecake, don’t overmix the batter. Incorporating too much air causes cracks. Stop mixing as soon as everything is combined. The crumble topping also acts as a shield, so you don’t need a water bath.
Why room temperature ingredients matter
Cold cream cheese won’t mix smoothly. Always let your cream cheese, eggs, and sour cream come to room temperature. This gives you a lump-free filling with a velvety finish.
Choosing the best apples
Tart apples like Granny Smith or Red Prince balance out the sweetness. Softer apples may turn mushy, so stick with firm varieties for the best bite.
Substitutions and variations
Swap sour cream for full-fat Greek yogurt or crème fraîche. For a fun twist, use spiced pears instead of apples. You can even make it in a 9-inch pan for a thinner cheesecake with a shorter bake time.
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Instructions
How to store in the fridge
Store leftover Apple Crumble Cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The crumble stays crisp, and the filling remains creamy.
Freezing tips for long-term storage
You can freeze the cheesecake without the caramel drizzle for up to 6 months. Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Make-ahead options for Thanksgiving
This recipe is perfect for prepping ahead. Bake the cheesecake a day or two before your gathering, let it chill, and add the caramel just before serving. It frees you up for other holiday cooking.
Related Recipes to try
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Crumb Cake
- Easy Crescent Roll Apple Turnovers
- Homemade Apple Fritters
- Ultimate Apple Crisp
- Amish Apple Fritter Bread
Conclusion
This Apple Crumble Cheesecake recipe blends everything you love about Thanksgiving desserts in one creamy, spiced, and caramel-drizzled bite. The creamy filling pairs beautifully with spiced apples and crunchy oat topping. Every slice tastes like comfort wrapped in caramel. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or saving a piece for yourself later, it’s a dessert that will be remembered long after the holiday. You’ll want to save this one to your Pinterest boards for all your fall celebrations.
Apple Crumble Cheesecake – The Perfect Thanksgiving Dessert
- Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple Crumble Cheesecake combines creamy cheesecake, tender spiced apples, and a buttery oat crumble. It bakes without a water bath, chills firm, and finishes with salted caramel.
Ingredients
Apple filling:
1 lb peeled, cored, sliced apples (approx. 4 apples)
3 tbsp packed light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Crust:
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (approx. 24 squares)
2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
5 tbsp unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
Crumb topping:
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick oats
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter (melted)
Cheesecake filling:
625 g cream cheese (softened)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 large eggs (room temperature)
1/3 cup full-fat sour cream
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
1. Cook sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg over medium heat until very soft, then cool completely.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch springform pan with parchment.
3. Pulse graham crackers, brown sugar, and cinnamon into fine crumbs, mix with melted butter, and press into the base and sides of the pan.
4. Bake crust for 8 minutes, then reduce oven to 325°F.
5. Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter to form crumb topping; toss to create clusters and set aside.
6. Beat cream cheese until smooth, then add brown sugar and cinnamon.
7. Mix in eggs one at a time, then add sour cream, vanilla, and flour until smooth.
8. Pour two-thirds of filling into crust, top with half the apples, add remaining filling, then remaining apples.
9. Cover evenly with all of the crumb topping.
10. Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes until center slightly jiggles and topping is golden.
11. Turn oven off and leave cheesecake inside for 10 minutes without opening the door.
12. Cool on a wire rack, loosen edges with a knife, remove pan sides, and cool completely.
13. Chill in the fridge for 4 hours, then drizzle with salted caramel before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter.
Avoid over-mixing to prevent cracks.
Cheesecake is done when edges are set and center barely jiggles.
Chill for at least 4 hours to set properly.
Use a serrated knife to cut through the crumb topping.
Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Red Prince for best results.
Sub sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt or crème fraîche if needed.
Store in the refrigerator up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Freeze without caramel for up to 6 months; thaw in the fridge.
No water bath needed due to the protective crumble topping.
For extra moisture, place a dish with hot water in the oven during baking.
Use a 9-inch pan for a thinner cheesecake and a slightly shorter bake time.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Chill time: 4 hours
Servings: 10
Texture: smooth, creamy filling with tender apples and crunchy topping
Flavor: rich brown sugar custard, spiced apples, buttery oat crumble, salted caramel finish
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Thanksgiving
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
