Description
Discover the perfect blend of tart baked apples and creamy cheesecake in this delightful dessert recipe. These Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples combine the natural sweetness and softness of Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples with a luscious cream cheese filling, topped with a buttery graham cracker crust. Easy to prepare and impressive to serve, this dessert is a comforting treat that’s perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 medium apples, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Topping
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- Pinch of cinnamon
Other
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the apples evenly.
- Prepare Apples: Wash and core the apples carefully, making sure to leave the bottoms intact to create wells that will hold the filling securely.
- Make Cheesecake Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Stuff Apples: Spoon the cheesecake mixture into each cored apple, pressing gently but firmly to pack the filling tightly inside each apple well.
- Prepare Topping: In another bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and a pinch of cinnamon. This will create a flavorful, crunchy topping.
- Top Apples: Sprinkle the graham cracker crumb mixture evenly over the filled apples, pressing lightly to help it adhere to the filling.
- Arrange and Drizzle: Place the stuffed apples upright in a baking dish and drizzle them with lemon juice to add brightness and balance the sweetness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the cheesecake filling is bubbly and set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the stuffed apples to cool slightly before serving to ensure they hold their shape and the filling sets properly.
Notes
- Choose tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp as they hold their shape well during baking and balance the sweetness of the filling.
- Adjust sugar in the filling according to your taste preferences.
- For extra indulgence, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- The lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning and adds a subtle tang.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother mixing and a creamier filling.
