Description
Creamy caramel candy cheesecake delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, indulgent flavor profile. Sweet caramel swirls and smooth cream cheese create a luxurious dessert experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 packages (24 oz / 675 g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (200 g) graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) sour cream
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (150 g) caramel candies, chopped into small pieces
- 1 cup (240 ml) caramel sauce
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp sea salt (optional)
- ¼ cup (25 g) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press mixture firmly into a springform pan, creating an even base. Toast in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until golden, then cool completely.
- Filling Creation: Blend cream cheese until silky, gradually mixing in sugar, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Incorporate chopped caramel candies throughout the mixture, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Assembly and Baking Technique: Pour filling over cooled crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Wrap pan exterior in aluminum foil and place in a larger baking dish filled with hot water. Bake at 325°F for approximately 60-70 minutes, looking for set edges with a slight center wobble.
- Cooling Process: Turn off oven, leave door slightly ajar, and allow cheesecake to rest for 1 hour. This gradual cooling prevents surface cracking and maintains a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Finishing and Presentation: Remove from pan after complete cooling, running a thin knife around edges. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours. Before serving, drizzle with caramel sauce, optionally garnishing with sea salt and chopped nuts for added complexity.
Notes
- Prevent Crust Crumbling: Mix graham cracker crumbs thoroughly with melted butter and press firmly into the pan to create a compact, stable base that holds together perfectly when sliced.
- Avoid Cheesecake Cracking: Bake in a water bath and cool gradually with the oven door slightly open to prevent surface fractures and maintain a smooth, creamy texture throughout.
- Enhance Caramel Flavor: Chop caramel candies into smaller pieces before folding into the batter to ensure even distribution and maximize sweet, buttery notes in every bite.
- Slice Like a Pro: Dip your knife in hot water and wipe clean between each cut to achieve pristine, clean slices that showcase the cheesecake’s luxurious layers and caramel swirls.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg