Imagine the scent of warm, cinnamon-spiced apples filling your kitchen. Now, picture that layered over a rich, velvety cheesecake and a buttery graham cracker crust. And just when you think it can't get any better, we drizzle it all with a river of homemade salted caramel. This isn't just a recipe; it's the coziest, most indulgent feeling of Fall, all in one perfect slice of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake.
Apple Pie Cheesecake - creamy cinnamon cheesecake is layered w/ apple pie filling, topped w/ more apples, crumble, & salted caramel sauce! Layers of cheesecake, apples, salted caramel, and crumbly streusel sit on a crispy graham cracker crust in this caramel apple cheesecake creating the ultimate fall dessert. Apple pie filling runs through the center of an ultra creamy vanilla cinnamon cheesecake for pure autumn perfection.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Ingredients for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- My Top Tips for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Making Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake with My Family
- Substitutions for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Variations on Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Equipment for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Storage Tips for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Adam's Tip for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- FAQ about Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Conclusion
- Pairing
Why You'll Love This Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Three desserts in one: This salted caramel apple pie cheesecake recipe combines the best elements of apple pie, cheesecake, and caramel in every single bite.
- Perfect for fall celebrations: The sweet cinnamon-spiced apples with homemade salted caramel sauce makes this ideal for Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings.
- Make-ahead friendly: The make-ahead chilling time allows you to prepare this showstopper dessert the day before your event.
Ingredients for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
This easy salted caramel apple pie cheesecake uses caramelized apple pie filling layered with creamy brown-sugar cheesecake filling. The cinnamon graham cracker crust provides the perfect base, while buttery oat crumble topping adds texture. The homemade salted caramel sauce ties everything together beautifully.
What You'll Need
For the Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Apple Pie Filling:
- 4 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 ounces (3 packages) cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter, cold and cubed
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
For Garnish:
- Additional caramel sauce
- Apple slices
- Flaky sea salt
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Granny Smith apples: Their tartness balances the sweet caramel and provides the perfect caramelized apple pie filling that doesn't get mushy.
- Brown sugar in filling: Creates a deeper, more complex sweetness in the creamy brown-sugar cheesecake filling that complements the apples.
- Buttery oat crumble: Adds the streusel topping texture that mimics traditional apple pie crumble.
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Wrap outside of a 9-inch springform pan with aluminum foil.
- Make the crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
- Press firmly into bottom and slightly up sides of pan. Bake for 10 minutes, cool.
- Make apple filling: In a skillet, melt butter and cook apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix cornstarch and water, add to apples, cook until thickened. Let cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth for about 3 minutes.
- Add sour cream, vanilla, and cinnamon. Beat until combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating on low just until incorporated.
- Pour half the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust.
- Spoon caramelized apple pie filling over the batter, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Pour remaining batter over apples and smooth the top.
- Make streusel: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle buttery oat crumble topping over cheesecake.
- Place pan in a larger roasting pan, fill with hot water halfway up the sides.
- Bake for 75 to 85 minutes until edges are set but center jiggles slightly.
- Turn off oven, crack door, cool for 1 hour.
- Remove from oven, cool completely, refrigerate for make-ahead chilling time of at least 6 hours.
- Make caramel: Heat sugar until melted and amber. Add butter, then cream and salt. Let cool.
- Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over chilled cheesecake before serving.
Hint: For no bake salted caramel apple pie cheesecake, use a no-bake cheesecake filling with gelatin and skip the baking step.
My Top Tips for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
Make sure your apple filling is completely cooled before adding it to the cheesecake batter. Hot filling will cause the batter to curdle and create an uneven texture. Also, don't skip the water bath as it prevents cracks and ensures the creamy brown-sugar cheesecake filling bakes evenly. The streusel topping texture should be crumbly, not paste-like, so don't overmix the butter. This technique is similar to what we use with our dark chocolate raspberry cheesecake, where proper layering makes all the difference.
Making Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake with My Family
Last Thanksgiving, Adam helped me make this apple pie cheesecake recipe for our family dinner. He was in charge of peeling and dicing the apples, carefully working with the peeler. "This is a lot of apples, Mom!" he said. When we cooked them with cinnamon and sugar, he couldn't believe how good they smelled.
The next day when we cut into the finished cheesecake, Adam was amazed by all the layers. "You can see the apples in the middle! This is so cool!" Grandma Viola tried a slice and said, "Creamy cinnamon vanilla cheesecake is baked atop a crisp graham crust and it's absolutely divine. The salted caramel makes it perfect."
Substitutions for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Apples: Use Honeycrisp or Fuji apples instead of Granny Smith for a sweeter sweet cinnamon-spiced apples filling.
- Crust: Try a traditional pie crust or shortbread crust instead of cinnamon graham cracker crust for different textures.
- Cream cheese: For philadelphia salted caramel apple pie cheesecake, use Philadelphia brand for the creamiest results.
- Caramel: Use store-bought caramel sauce if you're short on time, though homemade salted caramel sauce tastes infinitely better.
Variations on Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Old-fashioned version: Make old fashioned salted caramel apple pie cheesecake using a traditional pie crust bottom and more streusel.
- Mini version: Create mini salted caramel apple pie cheesecake portions in muffin tins for individual servings.
- No-bake version: Try apple pie cheesecake no bake using a no-bake filling with gelatin for an easier version. Check out this apple cheesecake with caramel sauce for more inspiration.
Equipment for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- 9-inch springform pan: Essential for creating the tall, layered presentation this dessert deserves.
- Large roasting pan: For the water bath that ensures perfectly creamy texture without cracks.
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan: Critical for making the homemade salted caramel sauce without burning.
- Pastry cutter: Makes creating the perfect buttery oat crumble topping quick and easy.
Storage Tips for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
- Refrigerator: Cover and store for up to 5 days. The streusel will soften slightly but still tastes delicious.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cheesecake for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and add fresh caramel before serving.
- Make-ahead: This dessert needs at least 6 hours of make-ahead chilling time, making it perfect for entertaining.
This recipe is perfect for cheesecake recipes thanksgiving and fall desserts ideas collections. The sweet cinnamon-spiced apples with homemade salted caramel sauce makes it ideal for caramel fall desserts. It pairs beautifully with our lime mousse cheesecake when you want variety in your cheesecake desserts repertoire.
Adam's Tip for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
"Make sure you get some of the crumbly topping and caramel in every bite. That's what makes it taste like real apple pie. Also, this is really good with vanilla ice cream on the side."
FAQ about Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
What is the most common mistake people make when making apple pie?
The most common mistake is using apples that are too watery or not pre-cooking them. For this salted caramel apple pie cheesecake recipe, we solve this by making caramelized apple pie filling on the stovetop first. This cooks out excess moisture and concentrates the flavors. The cornstarch thickens the filling so it doesn't make the cheesecake soggy. Pre-cooking the sweet cinnamon-spiced apples also ensures they're tender, not crunchy, in the final dessert.
What is Oprah's favorite apple pie?
Oprah's favorite is reportedly a classic apple pie from a bakery in Chicago. For this best salted caramel apple pie cheesecake, we combine traditional apple pie elements with creamy cheesecake and homemade salted caramel sauce. The cinnamon graham cracker crust and buttery oat crumble topping give you those nostalgic pie flavors while the creamy brown-sugar cheesecake filling adds luxurious richness that takes it beyond traditional pie.
Does condensed milk go in cheesecake?
Traditional cheesecake doesn't typically use condensed milk. This easy salted caramel apple pie cheesecake uses regular cream cheese, brown sugar, and sour cream for the perfect texture. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth to create the classic creamy consistency. Some no-bake versions use condensed milk, but for this baked version, we stick with traditional ingredients for the creamy brown-sugar cheesecake filling that's perfectly tangy and rich.
How do you keep caramel from sliding off apples?
To prevent the homemade salted caramel sauce from sliding off, make sure it's the right consistency and that both the cheesecake and caramel are properly chilled. We embed the caramelized apple pie filling inside the cheesecake layers so it stays put. For the topping, drizzle the caramel just before serving and make sure it's thick enough to cling. If it's too thin, simmer it a bit longer to reduce and thicken. The streusel topping texture also helps catch and hold the caramel.
Conclusion
I hope every single bite of this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake feels like a warm hug. It's the perfect way to celebrate the cozy season (or any season, really!). The cinnamon graham cracker crust, caramelized apple pie filling, creamy brown-sugar cheesecake filling, buttery oat crumble topping, and homemade salted caramel sauce create pure autumn magic.
If you loved this recipe as much as I do, please consider leaving a star rating. It helps other home bakers find their new favorite dessert! Try our millionaires cheesecake bars or easy Oreo cheesecake for more indulgent treats. Enjoy!
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Pairing
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