Description
Succulent Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples blend classic autumn comfort with creamy indulgence, offering a perfect dessert fusion. Warm spices and rich cheesecake filling elevate simple apples into an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 large apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith)
- 8 ounces (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup (50 grams) graham cracker crumbs
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Butter Components:
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by positioning the oven rack to the middle position and heating it to 350F (175C), ensuring an even cooking environment.
- Select ripe, firm apples and meticulously carve out their cores, creating delicate edible vessels. Gently brush the interior with citrus juice to prevent browning and coat with melted butter, then dust with fragrant cinnamon for added depth of flavor.
- Craft the luxurious cheesecake filling by whisking cream cheese until velvety smooth, incorporating sugar, vanilla, and egg. Blend until the mixture achieves a silky, consistent texture without lumps.
- Carefully spoon the creamy cheesecake mixture into the apple cavities, filling them approximately three-quarters full, allowing slight expansion during baking.
- Construct a crisp graham cracker topping by combining crumbs with melted butter, brown sugar, and a whisper of cinnamon. Crumble the mixture delicately across the filled apples, creating a rustic, textured crown.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil to allow the tops to golden and crisp for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the apples rest briefly, allowing the filling to set and flavors to meld. Serve while warm, optionally accompanied by a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of rich caramel sauce.
Notes
- Prevent apple browning by immediately brushing the inside with lemon juice after hollowing, which stops oxidation and maintains a fresh appearance.
- Select firm, large baking apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best structural integrity and better holding the cheesecake filling.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting graham cracker crumbs with crushed gluten-free cookies or almond meal for a crunchy topping.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of bourbon to the cheesecake mixture for sophisticated depth and warmth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg