Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bites are perfect for gatherings or a quiet night in, bringing the essence of fall right to your table.
Author:Emily
Prep Time:45 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:175 minutes
Yield:24 mini cheesecakes 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs (Use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free version.)
5 tbsp Melted Butter (Use dairy-free butter for dairy-free version.)
16 oz Cream Cheese (Use dairy-free cream cheese if needed.)
0.5 cups Sugar (Can be substituted with honey or maple syrup.)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 large Eggs
1 cup Diced Apples (Granny Smith recommended.)
0.5 cups Caramel Sauce (Choose your favorite brand or homemade.)
0.5 cups Brown Sugar (Can be omitted for a lower-sugar option.)
2 tbsp Butter (Essential for caramelizing the apples.)
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 cup Whipped Cream (Can be omitted for a lighter finish.)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until well combined. Line a muffin tin with paper liners, and evenly press the crust mixture into each liner. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Fill each cooled crust about two-thirds full with the cheesecake mixture.
To make the topping, heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the diced apples, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the apples are tender and caramelized. Let cool slightly before topping your cheesecake bites.
Spoon the caramelized apple mixture generously over the cheesecake batter in each crust. Drizzle caramel sauce on top. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the centers are set but still slightly jiggly. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel before serving.