Description
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie blends creamy cheesecake layers with spiced apple filling and buttery crust. Drizzled caramel sauce completes this indulgent dessert that will delight seasonal dessert enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large egg
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tbsps (90 mL) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps (30 g) granulated sugar
- 3 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps (30 g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (120 mL) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Crust Creation: Blend graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar, pressing firmly to form a compact, even layer covering the entire pie pan’s bottom and sides.
- Crust Preparation: Bake the crust at 350F (175C) for 8-10 minutes until golden, then cool completely to establish a crisp foundation.
- Apple Layering: Arrange thinly sliced apples in a circular, overlapping pattern across the cooled crust, creating a visually stunning base for the cheesecake.
- Cream Cheese Fusion: Whip cream cheese mixture to silky smoothness, gently incorporating eggs and vanilla to maintain a light, airy consistency without overworking the batter.
- Filling Application: Smoothly pour the cream cheese mixture over the apple layer, using a spatula to distribute evenly without disrupting the apple arrangement.
- Baking Precision: Bake in the oven’s center for 45-50 minutes, targeting a slightly wobbly center that will set during the cooling process.
- Caramel Crafting: Transform sugar into a rich, amber-colored caramel sauce, developing a deep, complex flavor through careful, slow heating.
- Final Flourish: After cooling to room temperature, elegantly drizzle warm caramel sauce across the pie’s surface, creating an artistic and appetizing design.
- Chilling Perfection: Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours (ideally overnight) to allow flavors to harmonize and achieve a perfectly creamy, set texture.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Crumbling: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the pan, using the back of a spoon or measuring cup to create a compact, stable base that won’t fall apart when slicing.
- Control Apple Moisture: Pat apple slices dry with paper towels before layering to prevent excess liquid from making the crust soggy and compromising the cheesecake’s texture.
- Master Caramel Technique: Watch sugar carefully while caramelizing, stirring gently and removing from heat the moment it turns amber to avoid burning, which creates a bitter taste.
- Achieve Smooth Cheesecake: Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs, beating until just combined to prevent air bubbles and ensure a silky, crack-free surface during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 368
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg