As the days get shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s no better way to welcome the cozy season than with a slice of rich, creamy cheesecake. Enter the Maple Pecan Apple Cheesecake, a dessert that perfectly captures the essence of fall with warm spices, juicy apples, and a hint of maple sweetness. This cheesecake goes beyond traditional expectations, layering spiced apples and a crunchy pecan oat topping over a smooth, maple-infused cheesecake filling. Here’s why this dessert deserves a spot on your autumn table and how to make it.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesecake
This Maple Pecan Apple Cheesecake is a blend of flavors and textures that celebrates the season:
- The Crust: A graham cracker base that’s slightly sweet and buttery, giving the cheesecake a firm foundation.
- The Maple Cheesecake Layer: Creamy and smooth with just the right amount of maple, bringing a subtle sweetness that pairs well with fall spices.
- The Apple Layer: Thinly sliced apples, tossed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of lemon for a bright note, bring warmth and depth.
- The Pecan Crisp Topping: A delightful crunch of oats and pecans, laced with cinnamon, adding texture and a nutty contrast to the creamy cheesecake.
Perfect for family gatherings, cozy evenings, or even a holiday spread, this cheesecake is an inviting twist on classic autumn desserts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer:
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Apple Layer:
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Pecan Crisp Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan, then bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Let it cool while you prepare the other layers.
2. Make the Cheesecake Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, followed by the eggs one at a time, ensuring everything is well blended. Add in the vanilla extract, maple syrup, and sour cream, mixing until smooth. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust, spreading it evenly.
3. Prepare the Apple Layer: In a medium bowl, toss the apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Arrange these spiced apple slices evenly over the cheesecake layer.
4. Make the Pecan Crisp Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Add the cold cubed butter, using your fingers or a pastry cutter to incorporate it until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this topping over the apple layer.
5. Bake: Bake the cheesecake for 60-70 minutes or until the center is set but slightly jiggly. Turn off the oven, crack the door slightly, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for one hour to prevent cracking.
6. Chill: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, for the best texture and flavor.
7. Serve: Once fully chilled, remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance its cozy flavor.
Enjoying Your Maple Pecan Apple Cheesecake
This Maple Pecan Apple Cheesecake is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Each bite is a journey through layers of maple, spiced apples, and crunchy pecans. Perfect for fall celebrations, this dessert brings together beloved flavors in a refined, decadent treat that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite.
PrintMaple Pecan Apple Cheesecake
Description
Elevate your dessert game with this Maple Pecan Apple Cheesecake. This delightful creation combines the smoothness of maple-infused cheesecake with the comforting warmth of spiced apples and a crunchy pecan oat topping. It’s an irresistible treat perfect for cozy gatherings and chilly evenings.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
– 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Layer:
– 24 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 3 large eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 1/4 cup sour cream
For the Apple Layer:
– 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
– 2 tbsp granulated sugar
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1 tsp lemon juice
For the Pecan Crisp Topping:
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
– 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
Preheat your oven to 325 F (163 C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan. In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then cool.
2. Make the Cheesecake Layer:
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and beat until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Mix in vanilla extract, maple syrup, and sour cream until smooth. Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
3. Prepare the Apple Layer:
In a medium bowl, toss apple slices with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Arrange the apple slices over the cheesecake layer.
4. Make the Pecan Crisp Topping:
In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Cut in cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the apples.
5. Bake:
Bake the cheesecake for 60-70 minutes, or until the center is set but slightly jiggly. Turn off the oven, crack the door slightly, and cool in the oven for 1 hour.
6. Chill:
Remove from oven and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Serve:
Once chilled, remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Serve with a drizzle of additional maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream.
Enjoy the luscious layers of this Maple Pecan Apple Cheesecake, bringing together classic flavors in a perfect, elegant dessert.