Go Back

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Caramel apple cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, a cinnamon-thick apple layer, and an oat streusel crown. Baked in a water bath for a just-set center, then chilled until sliceable with a caramel drizzle.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
chilling 6 hours
Total Time 7 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For crust
  • 2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 6 tbsp butter melted
For cheesecake
  • 24 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.75 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
For apple layer
  • 3 apples large, peeled and diced
  • 0.33 cup brown sugar
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon 1-1/2 tsp total
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
For streusel
  • 0.75 cup oats
  • 0.5 cup flour
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 6 tbsp butter cold
Caramel sauce for serving
  • 1 caramel sauce for serving

Equipment

  • 1 springform pan
  • 1 water bath rack
  • 1 mixing bowl

Method
 

Bake the crust and cook the apples
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F, press the crust mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, and bake for 10 minutes.
  2. Simmer the apple layer ingredients for 5 minutes until thickened, then cool completely.
Make the cheesecake and assemble
  1. Beat the cheesecake filling until smooth, then pour it over the baked crust.
  2. Top the filling with the cooled apple layer.
  3. Scatter the streusel over the top.
Water-bath bake and chill
  1. Bake in a water bath at 325°F for 60–65 minutes, until the cheesecake is just set, then cool completely.
  2. Refrigerate for 6 hours, then drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.

Notes

Pro tip: cool the apple layer fully before adding to help prevent the cheesecake from loosening or weeping. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze cheesecake slices up to 2 months (thaw overnight in the fridge) if you want to plan ahead. Dietary swap: use low-fat cream cheese for a lighter texture while keeping the same bake-and-chill method.