Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
A luscious fusion of creamy cheesecake, spiced apples, and buttery crust, topped with homemade salted caramel. This crowd-pleasing Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake is perfect for fall and holiday gatherings!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
For the Apple Topping:
- 3 medium apples peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan. In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press firmly into the pan’s bottom. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla and sour cream. Mix on low speed until smooth and creamy, being careful not to overbeat.
Assemble the Cheesecake:
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust and smooth the top evenly.
Bake in a Water Bath:
- Place the springform pan inside a larger roasting pan. Pour hot water into the outer pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. Bake for 55–65 minutes, until the center is slightly jiggly but set around the edges.
Cool the Cheesecake:
- Turn off the oven, crack the door, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour. Remove from the oven, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to set completely.
Prepare the Apple Topping:
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring until the apples soften and the mixture becomes syrupy. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt sugar, stirring constantly until it turns a deep amber color. Carefully add butter and whisk until melted. Slowly pour in the heavy cream (it will bubble up), whisking constantly. Boil for 1 minute, remove from heat, and stir in sea salt. Let cool slightly.
Assemble and Serve:
- Spread the apple topping over the chilled cheesecake and drizzle generously with salted caramel. Slice and serve cold for the perfect indulgence.
Notes
Best Apples to Use: Granny Smith apples add tartness that balances the sweetness, but Honeycrisp or Fuji work great too.
Avoid Cracks: Use room temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing the batter.
Make Ahead: Both the cheesecake and caramel sauce can be made a day in advance.
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze slices for up to 1 month and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Caramel Tip: If the caramel thickens too much after cooling, reheat gently in the microwave or over low heat with a splash of cream.