Cheesecake with Caramel Apple Topping

Cheesecake with Caramel Apple Topping combines two favorite desserts into one...a delicious creamy cheesecake with amazing caramel apple pie topping. Another apple dessert recipe that's perfect for any meal you want to impress!

One of my favorite desserts is cheesecake.  I've posted two other cheesecake recipes here on the blog, but I think this recipe has to be my favorite.  AND this recipe came about by accident.  Quite a number of years ago I used to make a cheesecake with an apple topping.

I went looking for the recipe a few weeks ago and could not find it anywhere and to make matters worse, I only had the recipe written out on a piece of paper.  So I did a little research and came up with this new recipe for Cheesecake with Caramel Apple Topping.

This easy dessert starts out with a basic recipe for cheesecake and then is topped with an apple and caramel topping.  The taste is definitely worth the extra steps needed to make the caramel apple topping.

Table of Contents

• Helpful Kitchen Tools
• Main Ingredients Needed
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Tips for making Cheesecake
• How to use a Water Bath to Bake Cheesecake
• Before You Begin!
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Springform Pan
• KitchenAid Mixer – this really is the best to help get the cream cheese light and airy.
• Cooling Rack

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Main Ingredients Needed

Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!

For the Cheesecake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs
• Sugar
• Melted Butter
• Cream Cheese
• Vanilla Extract
• Eggs

For the Caramel Apple Topping

• Butter
• Sugar
• Lemon Juice
• Apples
• Cinnamon
• Pecans

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 | Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust

• Mix graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and sugar together.
• Press into the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside to prepare cheesecake filling.

Step 2 | Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

• Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended.
• Add the eggs, one at a time and continue to mix until everything is blended.
• Pour the filling over the crust.

Step 3 | Baking Instructions

• Bake for 55 minutes in a preheated 325°F oven or until the center is almost set.
• Remove from the oven and loosen the cake from the rim of the pan and cool before removing the rim completely.
• Refrigerate four hours before adding the topping and serving.

Step 3 | Prepare the Caramel Apple Topping

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add sugar and lemon juice. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes stirring constantly until mixture turns a light golden brown.
• Add the apple slices and cinnamon.
• Continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the apples are softened.
• Remove from heat and let cool before placing on top of the cheesecake followed by the chopped pecans.

Tips for making Cheesecake

Cheesecake can be intimidating to some people.  It was for me the first time I made one.  So here are a few helpful tips that I know will make sure this recipe for Cheesecake with Caramel Apple Topping comes out perfect.

• Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature.
• Make sure the eggs are also at room temperature.
• Try very hard not to over-mix the batter.
• Bake the cheesecake in a water bath or bain-marie for the fancy French term.  It really is just what it translates to, a water bath for your cheesecake that helps the heat to disperse evenly which will give you a cheesecake without the dreaded cracks.
• Allow the cheesecake to cool completely before refrigerating it.

How to use a Water Bath to Bake Cheesecake

• Wrap the outside of the springform pan with a double layer of aluminum foil making sure it extends all the way to the top.  This will help keep the water from leaking into the pan while the cheesecake bakes.
• Already have a large roasting pan on the baking tray in the oven.
• Set the wrapped pan in the roasting pan and pour hot water into the pan 2 inches up the sides of the cheesecake pan.
• Make sure you check the water level while the cheesecake is baking.  You may need to add more water.

📖 Recipe Card

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!