Irresistible Caramel Cheesecake Stuffed Apples: Your New Favorite Fall Dessert Recipe

Get ready to elevate your dessert game! This recipe introduces a delightful new way to enjoy baked apples – imagine tender, warm apples generously stuffed with a creamy, rich cheesecake filling, infused with decadent caramel sauce, and studded with crunchy walnuts. This small-batch recipe is designed to make four beautifully baked apples, making it the perfect indulgent dessert for two or a delightful treat for a small gathering.

Happy (Almost) Fall, everyone!

Although, to be completely honest, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the crisp air and vibrant colors of autumn since Labor Day. That’s usually when my dad and I embark on our annual tradition of picking a peck of fresh, ripe apples. The exact weight of our haul always sparks a playful debate – we love to joke, “this weighs more than the cat!” While it rarely does, the joy of the harvest is immeasurable.

Bringing home that basket of freshly picked apples always inspires a flurry of baking. My first thought often goes to my beloved Homemade Apple Turnovers. However, with so many cherished apple recipes already gracing my blog – from charming Mini Apple Pies to my versatile Homemade Apple Pie Filling – the challenge often lies in dreaming up truly fresh and exciting ideas.

Then, a brilliant idea sparked! I started reminiscing about my incredibly popular Cheesecake Stuffed Peaches. That summer recipe is a definite crowd-pleaser, and I wondered: how could I adapt that beloved concept to capture the essence of fall?

Traditional baked apples are certainly comforting, often simply stuffed with butter, cinnamon, and a few nuts. But I wanted to take that classic comfort food to an entirely new level. The answer became clear: Cheesecake Stuffed Apples. This innovative approach combines the wholesome goodness of baked fruit with the creamy indulgence of cheesecake, creating a dessert that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

Our recipe involves carefully coring crisp baking apples, then filling them with a luscious, smooth caramel cheesecake filling, enhanced by the delightful crunch of walnuts. It’s truly the ideal apple recipe for anyone looking to enjoy a full serving of fruit while simultaneously treating themselves to an absolutely irresistible dessert. It’s a perfect blend of healthy and decadent!

Essential Ingredients for Your Cheesecake Stuffed Apples

Ready to create these magnificent caramel-filled apples with a cheesecake twist? Let’s gather your ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture in this delightful fall treat:

• Apples: The foundation of our dessert! Choosing the right baking apple is paramount to ensure they hold their shape and texture in the oven. We’ll delve deeper into ideal varieties below.
• Cream cheese: For the ultimate creamy and rich filling, always opt for a full-fat block of cream cheese. It’s essential to let it come to room temperature before mixing to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, velvety consistency. Low-fat, fat-free, or whipped cream cheese varieties contain more water and can result in a watery or runny filling that won’t set properly.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the cheesecake filling to perfection, balancing the tartness of the apples and the richness of the cream cheese.
• Egg: Just like a classic cheesecake, our filling is technically a custard. The egg acts as a binder, providing structure and contributing to that wonderfully smooth, creamy, and decadent texture that defines a great cheesecake. Ensure it’s also at room temperature for seamless incorporation.
• Caramel sauce: This is where the magic truly happens! You can use your favorite homemade caramel sauce for that extra special touch, or a good quality store-bought jar will work beautifully. The caramel swirls throughout the filling, adding a deep, buttery sweetness.
• Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla is crucial. It’s not just about adding flavor; vanilla enhances and rounds out all the other ingredients, much like salt does in savory dishes, bringing out their best characteristics.
• Walnuts: Chopped walnuts introduce a fantastic textural contrast and a slight earthy, nutty flavor that complements both the apples and the creamy filling. They add a satisfying crunch to every bite. Feel free to toast them lightly beforehand for an even richer flavor.
• Graham cracker crumbs: Most cheesecakes boast a delicious crust, and our stuffed apples are no exception! A sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs on top acts as a deconstructed crust, tying all the flavors and textures together and providing a delightful finishing touch.

Selecting the Best Apples for Stuffing and Baking

Perhaps the most critical decision when preparing these cheesecake stuffed apples is choosing the right apple variety. You need an apple that can withstand the heat of the oven, remaining firm enough to hold its shape and the filling, rather than turning into mush. This immediately rules out varieties like Red Delicious, which are lovely for snacking but tend to break down too easily when baked.

In this recipe, I personally opted for Gala apples. They strike a wonderful balance, offering a sweet flavor, a firm texture, and maintaining their integrity during baking. Other excellent varieties that are perfect for stuffing and baking include:

• Fuji: Known for their crisp texture and sweet, juicy flesh, Fuji apples hold up remarkably well in the oven.
• Jonagold: A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious, Jonagolds offer a delightful sweet-tart flavor and a firm texture that’s ideal for baking.
• Cortland: These apples are famously slow to brown, making them great for presentations, and they also bake beautifully with a good balance of sweet and tart.
• Honeycrisp: While a bit pricier, Honeycrisps are incredibly crisp and sweet, retaining much of their texture even after baking, providing a satisfying bite.
• Braeburn: Offering a tangy-sweet flavor, Braeburns are firm and hold their shape, making them a reliable choice for baked goods.
• Granny Smith: If you prefer a more tart flavor to cut through the richness of the cheesecake, Granny Smiths are an excellent choice. They are very firm and will definitely keep their structure.

When selecting your apples, look for ones that are firm to the touch, free of bruises, and have vibrant skin. The quality of your apple will significantly impact the final texture and taste of your stuffed dessert.

Mastering the Art of Coring Apples

While an apple corer isn’t strictly essential to this recipe, it undeniably simplifies the process of preparing apples for stuffing. A good apple corer creates a neat, uniform hole, making it much easier to spoon in the filling without making a mess.

I recently found myself searching for a new corer after my last one met an unfortunate bending incident. It was surprisingly difficult to locate a simple, straight apple corer in many stores. They often carried the circular models that core and slice at the same time, which, while useful for other purposes, isn’t ideal when you need the apple to remain whole for baking.

Eventually, I visited a local kitchen specialty store and purchased this handy apple corer (affiliate link). I certainly didn’t anticipate it would be such a quest to find one!

All of that to say, if you don’t own an apple corer or prefer not to buy one, fear not! You can absolutely achieve the same result with a sharp paring knife. The key is to be careful and precise. For those opting for the knife method, The Kitchn offers a fantastic guide on how to core an apple with a knife, ensuring you get a clean cavity for your delicious filling. Just remember to work slowly and keep your fingers safe!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Cheesecake Stuffed Apples

Creating these delightful cheesecake stuffed apples is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps for a perfect fall dessert:

1. Prep Your Apples and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, carefully core your chosen baking apples. Aim to remove the core and seeds, creating a neat cavity without cutting all the way through the bottom. Once cored, place your apples in an 8×8 square baking pan or a small casserole dish. The key here is to choose a pan that’s just large enough to snugly hold the four apples, preventing them from tipping over and spilling their precious filling during baking.
2. Whip Up the Caramel Cheesecake Filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the room temperature cream cheese and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and completely smooth. This step is crucial for a lump-free filling.
3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients and Walnuts: Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well combined. Then, beat in the room temperature egg until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix once the egg is added. Next, beat in the caramel sauce and vanilla extract until fully blended. Finally, gently fold in the chopped walnuts. The filling should be smooth, creamy, and irresistible!
4. Stuff the Apples: Carefully spoon the luscious cheesecake filling into the center of each cored apple. If you find that the opening in any apple is a bit too small for easy stuffing, you can very gently and carefully use a small paring knife to widen the hole. Be cautious not to cut too close to the edges of the apple, as this could cause it to break apart during baking. Fill each apple generously.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place the filled apples in your prepared baking dish and slide them into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. The baking time can vary slightly depending on the size and variety of your apples. You’ll know they’re ready when the apples are tender but still hold their shape, and the cheesecake filling is set. It might still have a slight jiggle in the very center when gently shaken, but it should feel firm to the touch.
6. Serve Warm and Garnish: Once baked, remove the cheesecake stuffed apples from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve them warm for the ultimate comfort food experience. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce, sprinkle with more chopped walnuts, and finish with a dusting of graham cracker crumbs on top. This adds both flavor and a beautiful presentation.
7. Storage: Because of the perishable cheesecake filling, any leftover baked apples should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven for a quick warm treat.

The Perfect Occasion: When to Serve Cheesecake Stuffed Apples

You absolutely don’t need a special occasion to whip up these divine caramel stuffed apples with cheesecake! They are perfectly suited for a casual weeknight dessert, a delightful reward after a day of apple picking at the orchard, or a sweet treat from your farmer’s market haul. Their ease of preparation and impressive presentation make them a versatile addition to any menu.

However, these Cheesecake Stuffed Apples truly shine as an elegant yet easy-to-make fancy dessert, especially during the holiday season. They offer a refreshing and unique alternative to more traditional fall desserts. Imagine serving them as a delightful twist for your Thanksgiving Dinner For Two, perhaps even in place of a classic eggless pumpkin pie. Their warmth, comforting flavors, and beautiful presentation make them an ideal choice for fall dinner parties, cozy family gatherings, or even a romantic dessert for two. Any time you crave the cozy flavors of fall and a touch of indulgence, these apples are your answer!

More Irresistible Apple Cheesecake Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with these cheesecake apples, then you’re in for a treat! The combination of apples and cheesecake is truly magical, and there are many more ways to enjoy it. Here are some fantastic recipes for apple cheesecake that you’ll adore:

• Caramel Apple Pecan Cheesecake: A classic cheesecake experience with the irresistible flavors of caramel and apple, plus the crunch of pecans.
• No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Parfaits: For those days you crave cheesecake without turning on the oven, these parfaits are light, creamy, and packed with apple and caramel goodness.
• No Bake Apple Butter Cheesecake: A smooth, spiced cheesecake featuring the concentrated flavor of apple butter, all without any baking required.
• No Bake Apple Pie Cheesecake Phyllo Cups: Mini, elegant, and bursting with apple pie and cheesecake flavors, perfect for entertaining.
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip: A fun and easy dip that delivers all the flavors of a caramel apple cheesecake, perfect for sharing with sliced apples or graham crackers.

These recipes offer a variety of ways to enjoy the harmonious blend of apples and creamy cheesecake, whether you prefer baked, no-bake, or a delightful dip!

Cheesecake Stuffed Apples Recipe

Yield:
4 apples

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
20-25 minutes

Total Time:
45-50 minutes

Experience a delicious twist on a classic! These Cheesecake Stuffed Apples are filled with a creamy, caramel-infused cheesecake mixture and crunchy walnuts. This small-batch recipe makes 4 apples, perfect as an indulgent dessert for two or a small family treat.

Ingredients

• 4 baking apples such as Gala or Fuji, cored
• 4 ounces (1/2 block or 4 tablespoons) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature and not cold to the touch (do not sub fat free)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce plus more for drizzle (homemade or store bought)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts plus more for garnish
• Graham cracker crumbs, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F (175°C). Have an 8×8 baking pan or small casserole dish large enough to hold 4 apples ready.
2. In a large mixing bowl on medium-high speed (using paddle attachment if using stand mixer), beat together the room temperature cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
3. Scrape down the bowl again then beat in the room temperature egg until just incorporated. Once incorporated, beat in the caramel sauce and vanilla. Finally, add the chopped walnuts and fold them in gently.
4. Place the cored apples in the prepared baking pan then generously spoon the cheesecake filling into the center of each apple.

   If the centers are too small for stuffing, carefully cut the opening bigger with a small paring knife, being careful not to cut too close to the apple’s edge.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the apples are tender and the cheesecake center is set (it may still wiggle slightly when shaken but should feel firm when gently touched). Serve warm with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce, additional chopped walnuts, and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs.

   Store any leftover baked apples in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Loved this unique dessert? You might also enjoy my popular Cheesecake Stuffed Peaches for a summer twist.
• Craving more apple and cheesecake delights? Be sure to check out my Caramel Apple Pecan Cheesecake, the delightful No Bake Apple Butter Cheesecake, and the crowd-pleasing Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Apple Corer

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes

Originally published September 22, 2016. Updated and enhanced for current readers.