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