Recipe 14: C-Dawg’s Apple Pie Cheesecake

🍎 C-Dawg’s Apple Pie Cheesecake

Serves: 10–12

Total Time: ~2 hours + chill overnight

This cheesecake is what happens when apple pie meets creamy cheesecake and they fall in love. A cinnamon-spiced graham crust, rich apple-infused cheesecake filling, buttery sautéed apples on top, and a swirl of cinnamon whipped cream. It’s cozy, bold, and completely irresistible — especially when drizzled with warm caramel sauce before serving.

🧂 Ingredients

🍪 Crust

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or crushed cinnamon grahams)

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ cup melted butter

🍰 Cheesecake Filling

• 3 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup sour cream

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• ½ cup apple pie filling, finely chopped (from can or homemade)

🍏 Apple Topping

• 2–3 green apples (Granny Smith preferred), peeled & sliced

• 2 tbsp butter

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• Pinch of salt

🍦 Cinnamon Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold

• 3 tbsp powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

👩‍🍳 Directions

🔹 1. Make the Crust

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

2. Mix graham crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until it looks like wet sand.

3. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

4. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool slightly.

🔹 2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

1. Beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth.

2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.

3. Add sour cream, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

4. Fold in the chopped apple pie filling for that warm apple flavor inside.

5. Pour mixture over cooled crust.

🔹 3. Bake the Cheesecake

1. Place pan in a larger roasting pan and add hot water halfway up the sides for a water bath.

2. Bake for 60–70 minutes, until the center is just slightly wobbly.

3. Turn oven off, crack the door, and let rest for 1 hour inside.

4. Remove and cool completely, then refrigerate overnight.

🔹 4. Make the Apple Topping

1. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

2. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and salt.

3. Cook 5–7 minutes until apples are soft and coated in syrup.

4. Cool completely before spooning on top of cheesecake.

🔹 5. Make the Cinnamon Whipped Cream

1. Beat all ingredients together until stiff peaks form.

2. Pipe or spoon around the edges of the chilled cheesecake.

🔹 6. Assemble & Serve

Top cheesecake with the cooled apple mixture in the center, then add whipped cream swirls and drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top before slicing. Serve chilled with extra caramel on the side for dipping.

🛒 Shopping List

Dairy

• Cream cheese (3 blocks)

• Sour cream

• Heavy whipping cream

• Butter

Pantry

• Graham crackers

• Brown sugar

• Powdered sugar

• Vanilla extract

• Cinnamon & nutmeg

Produce

• Granny Smith apples

• Lemon

⭐ C-Dawg’s Tip:Don’t rush the chill time. This beauty sets up overnight and slices perfectly the next day — and trust us, it’s even better with that caramel drizzle still warm on top.