Indulge in delightful Caramel Apple Mini Cheesecakes that capture the essence of fall with creamy cheesecake, tart apples, and sweet caramel.
Author:Aria West
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:3 hours 30 minutes
Yield:18 servings 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Ingredients
Scale
1 ½ cups finely crushed graham cracker sheets
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup quick oats
⅓ cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter (cold, diced into 1/2-inch cubes)
16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
¾ cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, finely chopped)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup salted caramel sauce
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the graham cracker sheets, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Drizzle in the melted unsalted butter and mix until crumbs are moistened. Divide into 18 muffin cups, pressing to create a base, and bake for 5 minutes.
In another bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, quick oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until crumbles form. Chill until needed.
Toss the finely chopped apples with lemon juice. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then blend in sour cream and vanilla.
Pour 1/4 cup of filling over each baked crust, top with the prepared apples, and sprinkle the streusel on top. Bake for 23-25 minutes until set at the edges but slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
Chop Apples Finely: Ensure even cooking for tartness.
Soften Cream Cheese: Achieve a smooth, lump-free filling.
Watch Baking Time: Look for a slight jiggle in the center.
Use Quality Caramel: Opt for high-quality salted caramel sauce.
Make Ahead: These taste better after chilling for a day.