Description
Delight in these charming Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups, a perfect blend of creamy cheesecake, crunchy cookie base, and warm spiced apple topping drizzled with luscious caramel sauce. This easy-to-make dessert offers the comforting flavors of fall in convenient individual servings, ideal for parties or cozy family treats.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Base:
- 12 Pecan Sandies (or vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies)
For the Cheesecake Mixture:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
For the Apple Topping:
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup caramel sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and ease removal.
- Make the Base: Place one pecan sandie or your choice of cookie in the bottom of each lined muffin cup to form a crunchy crust.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to create a silky cheesecake batter.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the cheesecake mixture over the cookie bases, filling each cup approximately three-quarters full.
- Bake the Cheesecakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly jiggly, which ensures a creamy texture.
- Chill: Allow the cheesecake cups to cool slightly at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set completely.
- Prepare Apple Topping: While the cheesecakes chill, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the apples are tender and caramelized.
- Assemble & Serve: Spoon the warm spiced apple topping over each cheesecake cup, then drizzle generously with caramel sauce just before serving for a perfect finish.
Notes
- You can substitute Pecan Sandies with vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies based on preference.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness of the caramel and cheesecake.
- Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake batter.
- Chilling the cheesecakes thoroughly improves texture and flavor.
- For a decorative touch, add chopped pecans or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
