Recipe By Gail Schladenhauffen
Like Apple Pie, Caramel Apple Cheesecake is a winner in all seasons, but especially during summer, fall, and winter holidays like 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It could make a great addition to your summer Olympics celebration!
This recipe is a crowd pleaser, and whenever you make it, you should be ready for warm, cozy scents to fill your whole home.
Ok, let’s get to it!
How to make Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Ingredients
No-Bake Stroopwafel Pie Crust: We love using the No-Bake Stroopwafel Pie Crust as a graham cracker crust substitute because it brings the caramel flavor into the pie and is made from real bits of stroopwafel!
Sugar, Light Brown Sugar, and Brown Sugar: Yes, this recipe uses all three! Regular sugar works well for the pie’s crust, while light brown sugar gives the apple topping a light caramel flavor. For the filling, we use dark brown sugar which adds even more caramel flavor to the main cheesecake.
Unsalted Butter: We’re using unsalted butter here so we’re in complete control of our flavor profile.
Granny Smith Apples: We love the tart flavor Granny Smith Apples bring to the table. When mixed with the sweetness of the pie filling and topping, the flavor is balanced dynamic. That said, if you want something sweeter, Honeycrisp apples are also firm, juicy, acidic, and excellent for baking.
Chopped Pecans: These add crunch and texture to the pie topping, but you can remove these if someone in your household has a nut allergy. Your cheesecake will still be delicious!
Apple Pie Spice: You can make your own apple pie spice with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and ginger. Various recipes may cut one of the ingredients, like allspice or cardamom. The most important thing to know if you’re making your own apple pie spice is that cinnamon is the base flavor. You should use around ¼ cup of cinnamon, and half teaspoons for other ingredients to taste.
Other Ingredients
- Lemon Juice
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla
- Cream Cheese
- Flour
- Large Eggs
- Heavy Cream
- Caramel (to drizzle at the end)
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Instructions
Crust
- 2 cups No-Bake Stroopwafel crust mix
- 3 t sugar
- 7 T melted unsalted butter
No-Bake Pie Crust Directions
Mix No-Bake Stroopwafel Pie Crust with sugar and melted butter.
Spray the bottom and inside edge of your springform pan with Pam spray, then line the pan with parchment paper. I use a circle for the bottom and then line the inside edge.
Put the combined mixture in the 9” springform pan. Press the crust down into the pan so it’s compact and ready for filling!
Filling
- 3-8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 1/4 c dk brown sugar
- 2 T flour
- 4 large eggs
- 2/3 c heavy cream
- 1t vanilla
- 1 1/2 t apple pie spice
Filling Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix cream cheese till light and fluffy. Then, add sugar, pie spice, and flour.
Add heavy cream and vanilla.
Add eggs one at a time. Mix after adding each egg.
Pour filling over crust
Bake for 60 min or until sides are firm and middle still jiggly.
Turn off oven and let set in oven for another 60 min.
Topping
- 3 Granny Smith apples (peeled and diced)
- 1 T lemon juice
- 1 1/2 t cornstarch
- 1 T unsalted butter
- 1/3 c chopped pecans
- 1/4 c light brown sugar
- 2 T sugar
- 1 t apple pie spice
- 1 1/2 t vanilla
Topping Directions
Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over med heat. Add all ingredients except vanilla.
Cook until apples are tender.
Remove from stove and add vanilla.
Spoon over cheesecake and drizzle with caramel and add garnishes as liked.
FAQ
What Apples Should I Use for Caramel Apple Cheesecake?
You can use the same apples you’d use for apple pie for your Caramel Apple Cheesecake. We prefer Granny Smith Apples because their tartness prevents the dessert from being overly sweet, but if you have a super sweet tooth, Honeycrisps also work well!
Can You Freeze Caramel Apple Cheesecake?
Caramel Apple Cheesecake has a topping, which means if you want to freeze this tasty treat, put it in the freezer before adding the topping!
This is a great way to plan for a party or get together as you can have your cheesecake made in advance and whip up the delicious topping to add to your base!
Thanks to Our Recipe Contributor Gail Schladenhauffen!
Today we’re thanking Dutch Waffle Company customer Gail Schladenhauffen for sending in this amazing Caramel Apple Cheesecake recipe.
Are you baking something great with No-Bake Stroopwafel Pie Crust? Send your recipes and photos to chelsea@dutchwafflecompany.us for a chance to be featured on our blog!
As always, happy baking!