Description
Creamy cheesecake apple delight pies blend classic pastry techniques with rich American dessert traditions. Warm spices and silky filling make these handheld treats irresistible for weekend baking when you crave comfort and sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
- 10–12 pie crust rounds (4–5 inches in diameter, refrigerated or homemade)
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) unsalted butter
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tbsp (15 mL) water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsps (30–45 mL) milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Instructions
- Caramelize Apples: Sauté diced apples in butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until softened and golden, creating a rich, aromatic base.
- Thicken Filling: Integrate cornstarch to transform the apple mixture into a glossy, cohesive compote, preventing potential pastry sogginess while enhancing flavor depth.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until achieving a velvety, light texture that promises a luxurious pie center.
- Assemble Pies: Arrange pie crust rounds, layering alternating spoonfuls of cheesecake and spiced apple filling, then delicately seal edges with egg wash using fork crimps to create elegant half-moon pastries.
- Fry to Perfection: Heat oil to precise temperature, frying pies in small batches and rotating to ensure an evenly golden, crisp exterior that encases the luscious inner layers.
- Glaze and Finish: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla into a smooth glaze, then generously drizzle or dip warm pies, allowing the coating to set and create a tantalizing sheen that elevates the dessert’s visual appeal.
Notes
- Prepare Apples Precisely: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for best caramelization and flavor balance in the filling.
- Master Cheesecake Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is room temperature to prevent lumps and achieve ultra-smooth texture.
- Control Frying Temperature: Maintain oil at 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking.
- Handle Pastry Carefully: Keep pie crust cold and work quickly to prevent butter from melting, which ensures flaky, crisp results.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg