Introduction
Experience the delightful combination of creamy cheesecake, caramel, and apples with our irresistible Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups. These individual-sized desserts feature a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake filling, and a luscious caramel apple topping, creating a treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether served as a sweet ending to a meal or enjoyed as a special snack, these cheesecake cups are sure to please your taste buds.
Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Caramel Apple Topping:
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. Make the Graham Cracker Crust:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until well combined.
- Press about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup to form the crust.
3. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Spoon or pipe the cheesecake filling over the graham cracker crust in each muffin cup, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
4. Bake the Cheesecake Cups:
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheesecake filling is set.
- Remove from the oven and let the cheesecake cups cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Make the Caramel Apple Topping:
- In a skillet or saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced apples, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- Cook the apple mixture for 5-7 minutes, or until the apples are tender and caramelized.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and let the caramel apple topping cool slightly.
6. Assemble the Cheesecake Cups:
- Spoon the caramel apple topping over the cooled cheesecake cups, dividing it evenly among the cups.
- Drizzle each cheesecake cup with caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups immediately, or refrigerate them until ready to serve.
- Enjoy the creamy cheesecake, crunchy graham cracker crust, and caramelized apple topping in every delicious bite!
Conclusion
With our Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups recipe, you can enjoy the classic flavors of caramel apples and cheesecake in a delightful individual-sized dessert. Whether served as a special treat for a holiday gathering or enjoyed as a sweet indulgence any day of the week, these cheesecake cups are sure to impress with their creamy texture and irresistible taste. Whip up a batch today and savor the deliciousness of homemade Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups!