Description
Classic autumn dessert, Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples, blends creamy cheesecake with warm spiced apples. Comforting flavors invite sweet indulgence for family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup (50 g) graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Position the oven rack centrally and preheat to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking conditions.
- Apple Preparation: Core ripe apples, creating hollow vessels. Brush interiors with citrus juice to prevent oxidation, then coat with melted butter and dust with cinnamon for enhanced flavor profile.
- Cheesecake Filling Creation: Whisk cream cheese until silky, blending sugar, vanilla, and egg into a smooth, homogeneous mixture. Ensure no lumps remain for a perfect texture.
- Filling and Topping Assembly: Fill apple cavities three-quarters full with cheesecake mixture. Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to create a crumbly topping. Generously sprinkle the crumb mixture over filled apples.
- Baking Process: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, then bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until tops turn golden and crisp.
- Serving Presentation: Allow apples to rest briefly, enabling filling to set and flavors to meld. Serve warm, optionally garnishing with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- Choose Apples Wisely: Select firm, crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith that hold their shape during baking and provide a perfect balance of tartness and structure.
- Prevent Apple Browning: Brush apple interiors immediately with lemon juice after coring to maintain fresh appearance and prevent oxidation.
- Smooth Cheesecake Filling: Ensure cream cheese is room temperature and beat thoroughly to eliminate lumps, creating a silky, creamy texture without graininess.
- Avoid Overfilling: Fill apple cavities only three-quarters full to allow space for expansion and prevent overflow during baking, maintaining a neat presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg