Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake

Decadence redefined! 🤤 Caramel, apples, brownies & cheesecake... a flavor explosion! 💥🍰

1. Let’s Start Here:

Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake is a decadent dessert that combines the richness of cheesecake, the fudgy goodness of brownies, and the sweet-tart delight of caramel apples. It's a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

2. Essentials for the Recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups baking apples (e.g. Granny Smith or Cortland), peeled and diced**
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 12 oz cream cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ** Baking Apples are apples that have a good sweet-tart balance and hold their shape when cooked.
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract

3. Let’s Get Cooking:

Begin by preparing the brownie base and then layer on the creamy cheesecake filling. Top with caramelized apples and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. Bake until golden and set, then chill before serving to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when you're ready to bake the pecan cheesecake. Accurate oven temperature is crucial for even cooking and a perfectly textured cheesecake.

Step 2: Toast the pecans

Spread the pecans in a single layer on a shallow baking pan. Bake for 7-8 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are lightly toasted and fragrant. Toasting enhances the nutty flavor of the pecans, adding depth to the cheesecake.

Step 3: Cool and chop pecans

Remove the toasted pecans from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, roughly chop the pecans and set them aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 160°C (325°F) and grease and flour a 23 cm (9-inch) springform pan.

Step 4: Prepare the crust

Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the bottom of the prepared springform pan and reserve. In a heavy-duty electric stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat at medium speed until the mixture is well-blended and smooth.

Step 5: Combine egg and flour mixtures

Add 3 eggs, one at a time, to the cream cheese mixture, beating after each addition until just blended. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, and remaining egg until blended. Then, stir in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.

Step 6: Add apples and layer in pan

Add the peeled and diced apples to the flour mixture and stir gently to combine. Spoon the apple batter into the prepared springform pan. Carefully spoon the cream cheese mixture over the apple batter, creating distinct layers.

Step 7: Bake the cheesecake

Bake the cheesecake at 160°C (325°F) for 70 minutes, or until it is set. The cheesecake should be firm to the touch but still have a slight jiggle in the center. This ensures it is cooked through but remains moist and creamy.

Step 8: Cool the cheesecake

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and gently run a knife around the outer edge to loosen it from the sides of the pan, but do not remove the sides. Cool the cheesecake completely in the pan on a wire rack for about 2 hours. This prevents cracking and ensures even cooling.

Step 9: Prepare topping and sauce

Remove the sides of the pan and transfer the cheesecake to a serving plate. Prepare the Caramel Apple Topping and Caramel Sauce. Spoon the apple topping over the cheesecake and drizzle with 120ml (1/2 cup) of Caramel Sauce. Reserve 240ml (1 cup) of Caramel Sauce for later drizzling.

Step 10: Caramelize the apples

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter; then, add both the sugar and lemon juice. Cook, stirring constantly with a long-handled wooden spoon, for 5 to 6 minutes or until the mixture turns a light golden brown. Add the apple wedges and cook, stirring often, for 15 to 18 additional minutes or until the apples are tender and caramelized.

Step 11: Cool topping and prepare sauce

Remove the caramelized apple topping from heat and let cool for 20 minutes. For the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the brown sugar, butter, whipping cream, and honey to a boil, stirring constantly; then, boil stirring constantly for 2 minutes.

Step 12: Finish the sauce

Remove the caramel sauce from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and cool for 15 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, creating a rich and decadent topping for the cheesecake. Drizzle over the cheesecake and enjoy!

4. Serving Suggestions

Serve this masterpiece chilled, garnished with extra caramel sauce and a sprinkle of chopped nuts. It's perfect on its own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

5. Nutrition

Serving size: 8 servings, Calories: 503kcal, Protein: 8g, Fat: 31g, Carbohydrates: 51g, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 27g, Cholesterol: 135mg, Sodium: 532mg

6. Final Touch:

Caramel Apple-Brownie Cheesecake is a show-stopping dessert that's sure to impress. It's a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will make any occasion feel special. Try it and share the joy!