Description
Caramel Cheesecake Baked Apples bring autumn comfort straight to your dessert plate with creamy cheesecake filling nestled inside sweet roasted apples. Warm spices and rich caramel drizzle make this simple treat feel like a special homemade indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit:
- 4 apples
Supporting Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter
Seasoning and Flavoring:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by preheating the oven to 375°F, ensuring a perfectly consistent baking environment for your dessert.
- Thoroughly wash 4 apples, then carefully core them while maintaining the bottom intact to create a sturdy filling vessel.
- In a mixing bowl, whip 8 oz softened cream cheese until it becomes silky smooth and free of lumps.
- Add ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp cinnamon to the cream cheese, blending until the mixture reaches a creamy, uniform consistency.
- Gently spoon the cheesecake mixture into each cored apple, pressing softly to ensure complete and even filling.
- Combine ½ cup graham cracker crumbs with 2 tbsp melted butter and a pinch of cinnamon in a separate small bowl.
- Sprinkle the buttery graham cracker mixture over the filled apples, pressing lightly to help the topping adhere perfectly.
- Transfer the stuffed apples to a baking dish and drizzle with 1 tbsp lemon juice to enhance flavor and prevent apple browning.
- Bake the apples for 25-30 minutes, watching for tender fruit and a set cheesecake filling.
- Remove from the oven and allow the apples to cool slightly, then generously drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.
Notes
- Choose firm, round baking apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to ensure they hold their shape and stand up well during baking.
- Prevent the bottom of the apples from leaking by carefully using a melon baller or sharp paring knife to create an even, sturdy core.
- For a gluten-free version, replace graham cracker crumbs with crushed nuts like almonds or pecans to maintain the crunchy topping texture.
- When drizzling caramel sauce, warm it slightly to help it flow smoothly and create an attractive presentation over the baked apples.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Cheesecakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 432 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg