If you're a fan of cheesecake, you'll love this mini cheesecake recipe with a seasonal twist. From the homemade apple pie filling to the caramel sauce topping, these treats taste just like autumn. Plus, you can easily double or triple the recipe, so it's a perfect treat for holiday celebrations or to give as gifts.
How to Make the Apple Pie Filling
Video of the Day
Things You'll Need
2 medium apples
Juice of 1/4 lemon
1 1/2 cups water
2/3 cups sugar
4 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1. Prep the apples
Peel, core, and chop the apples into small cubes.
Video of the Day
2. Mix lemon juice with the apples
In a bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice. Set aside.
3. Mix water with the cornstarch
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the water and cornstarch. Mix until combined.
4. Add the sugar and spices
Add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a low boil and cook for 3 minutes, mixing continously.
5. Cook the apples until soft
Add the apples and reduce to a simmer. Cook until the apples are soft and tender, about 7 to 10 minutes. Set aside. The mixture will thicken as it cools.
How to Make Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes
Things You'll Need
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 10 crackers)
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
Cooking spray or butter
Apple pie filling
Caramel sauce
Silicone cupcake liners
1. Mix the graham crackers with butter
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a bowl, combine the graham crackers and melted butter. Mix until the consistency is similar to wet sand. If needed, slowly add more melted butter.
2. Add the mixture to a muffin tin
Grease 12 silicone cupcake liners. If using paper cupcake liners, add to a muffin tin then grease. Scoop the graham cracker mixture into each cup, pressing down into an even layer.
3. Mix remainder ingredients
In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until combined and smooth.
4. Assemble the cheesecakes
Scoop into the cupcake liners, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Carefully add a heaping tablespoon of apple filling to each cheesecake. Check to make sure the cheesecakes are not overflowing, then top with the remaining apple pie filling. Another option is to top the baked cheesecakes with leftover apple filling.
5. Bake and chill the cheesecakes
Bake for 20 to 23 minutes or until the cheesecake portion has set. A toothpick should come out clean. Let cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours.
If you're pressed for time, place the cheesecakes in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
Drizzle the cheesecakes with caramel sauce and serve chilled.