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This Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake has pieces of apple and pockets of cinnamon filling layered into it. The incredible combination of smooth cheesecake, cinnamon, and lightly crunchy apples is something you won’t want to miss!
Creamy Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake
This post is sponsored by KitchenAid, but all opinions are my own.
I don’t know about you, but I am really starting to get excited for fall. Apple baking always seems to get me in the mood. I start breaking out the cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel and just can’t wait to devour it all over some delicious apples!
Enter this cheesecake. While I left out the caramel, I absolutely considered drizzling some over the top of it and you should consider it too.
But even without it, the cinnamon and apples are pure fall heaven.
Making the cheesecake takes some time, but really is easy to put together. That’s one of the great things about cheesecakes. Once it’s baked, you’re pretty much done. No fuss, just put it in the fridge to cool and top it with something tasty – cinnamon apples in this case.
To make the crust, I started with vanilla wafer cookies. I love the extra sweetness from using them, but graham crackers would absolutely work too if you have them on hand. I added some brown sugar and cinnamon to the crust to the extend the fall flavors into the crust and I loved it!
The cheesecake filling is fairly straightforward, it just has a little cinnamon in it. The real fun comes from layering the filling with the cinnamon filling and apples. OMG!
How to Assemble Your Cheesecake
To start the layering, you’ll top the crust with some chopped apples and drops of the cinnamon filling, then add about half of the cheesecake filling. Layer in more cinnamon and apples, then the rest of the cheesecake filling. Top it off with the remaining apples and cinnamon, then try not to eat it all before it even goes into the oven. The smell is wonderful!
Once baked and cooled, the cheesecake is topped with more cooked apples. The process for making the apples on top of the cheesecake is pretty similar to the ones inside, except you add a little butter and cook them for about 10 minutes. You could skip this step, but the additional apples really finish off the cheesecake nicely.
You’ll want to chop the apples, add them to the pan with the brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter, then cook them until they reach the right consistency. I say about 10 minutes, but you could cook them for more or less time depending on how soft you want them.
And to spice up your fall even more KitchenAid and The Food Network have teamed up to host the Apple Challenge!
That’s right – Food Network Kitchens will select the top 4 recipe submissions and the 4 finalists will win a trip for 2 to NYC for a live cook-off to cook their dish to be judged by Food Network chef Geoffrey Zakarian. One winner will receive the grand prize of a suite of KitchenAid Black Stainless Steel Appliances and a private cooking lesson with Geoffrey Zakarian.
Um, I just died. How fun!
And did you know that KitchenAid just came out with black stainless steel appliances? They sent me some information about them and a sample of what the black stainless steel is like, and I’m in love. We have black appliances in our kitchen and I’ve always wanted stainless steel, but like the black color. These are the perfect solution! Clearly I need to win that contest and update my kitchen.
The contest ends September 14, so you better get on it! Submissions can be uploaded through Twitter or Instagram (with the hashtag #KitchenAidContest), FoodNetwork.com/applechallenge or food.com/applechallenge. And if you win, let me know so I can be super jealous.
And if you don’t win, don’t worry. We can drown our sorrows together in this amazing cheesecake. I’m pretty sure all the apples in it make it healthy, so win-win right there. 😉
PrintApple Cinnamon Cheesecake
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 14-16 Slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake has pieces of apple and pockets of cinnamon filling layered into it. The incredible combination of smooth cheesecake, cinnamon, and lightly crunchy apples is something you won’t want to miss!
Ingredients
CRUST
- 1 1/2 cups (201g) vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1/4 cup (56g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 5 tbsp (70g) butter
CHEESECAKE FILLING
- 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 3 tbsp (24g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (230g) sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
APPLE CHEESECAKE FILLING
- 2 large apples, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup (56g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch ground nutmeg
CINNAMON CHEESECAKE FILLING
- 5 tbsp (70g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp (24g) all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp (42g) unsalted butter, melted
APPLE GARNISH, ON TOP OF CHEESECAKE
- 1 large apple, peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp (28g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch ground nutmeg
- sprinkle of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter
Instructions
CRUST
CHEESECAKE AND CINNAMON FILLING
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 29.8 g
- Sodium: 262.5 mg
- Fat: 16.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 39.2 g
- Protein: 6.9 g
- Cholesterol: 87.3 mg
Filed Under:
Enjoy!
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of KitchenAid. The opinions and text are all mine.
Love this recipe! Did you happen to change it I remember the cinnamon cheesecake filling requiring 1/2 cup brown sugar vs 5tbs ?
So glad you enjoy it! It hasn’t changed.
Wanted to love this however it seems way too wet! Is it the addition of apples? Made tons of cheesecakes and none are like this one. Scrapping and trying again.
Sounds like it may have needed a little more baking time.
I made this and it’s my first time making a cheesecake. The flavor is amazing. I did have an issue, after baking and chilling, my crust was mushy. Not sure what I did wrong.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Did water get into your water bath at all?
Did this for thanksgiving ’18 and I’m doing it again for 2022!
Awesome! I’m glad you enjoy it!
This is my go-to cheesecake recipe. I’ve probably made over 10 of them over the last several years. I actually just put one in the oven for Thanksgiving desert tomorrow. It always gets compliments and turns out great. I double the topping recipe and am generous with the cinnamon, but otherwise it is perfect as is!
I’m so glad to hear that! Happy Thanksgiving!
Hello, your receipts look delicious and amazing. I was just wondering if the apples won’t let too much moisture when cooked inside the cheesecake. I really want to make the cheesecake but wasn’t sure if it will set properly
I know that can often be an issue with other things, but I’ve never had that issue with cheesecake. And I certainly didn’t have that issue with this cheesecake.
This is Autumn in a recipe . It’s soo good I make it all through the year .
So glad you enjoy it!
Also what kind of apples do you recommend for this cheesecake?
You can use your favorite apple, but common ones are granny smith, fuji, gala, honeycrisp. You could also use a combination of a couple types.
Do I cover the top of the springpan too or just around the bottom and sides so the water doesn’t get in?
Just around the bottom and sides.
I made this and it turned out great.
Glad to hear that!
Hi Lindsay! Made the apple cinnamon cheesecake and followed the recipe exactly. I had leaky water bath and therefore soggy crust. I went back through the recipe to find any help to prevent that and true to Murphy’s Law, I found the tutorial about using a crockpot liner before you put on the tinfoil! Great idea!! At any rate, my cheesecake looked like the picture and tasted great – soggy crust and all!
Can I substitute the flour with cornstarch? and the wafer crumbs with gluten free coookies?
Yes. You only need half the mount of cornstarch though.
Thank you!
I love this cheesecake and everyone who has tasted it loves it too! My nephew told me he didn’t like cheesecake until he tasted this apple cinnamon one. The second time I made it for a function at my church and the ladies loved it! My Grandma’s cookbook has stars by the recipes that are good or better than good. This is one with a star in my cookbook. Thank you for this experience to my taste buds!
Is there a way to swirl chocolate instead of apples? Or do you have another recipe?
Can you make this in a 4″ springform pan instead? If so, what changes do you recommend as far as ingredients or baking time?
I’m sure you can but I have never made that size cheesecake so I’m not sure how to adjust.
My husband has chosen this for his birthday dessert but wants a streusel topping instead of the garnish since there are apples and cinnamon throughout…and the streusel topping is his favorite part of a Dutch apple pie (his normal bday dessert). Other recipes I use that include a streusel topping only bake about 45 minutes to an hour. I’m afraid the 90 minute bake time may burn a streusel topping if I just add it to this recipe, but I figure that I will flop and ruin the cheesecake if I remove it from the oven mid-bake to add the topping. Any suggestions??
Here’s a cheesecake where I did a streusel topping. I’d use that as a guide. https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/bourbon-peach-streusel-cheesecake/
Lindsay, i love your recipes. I have made quite a few of them. I was wondering if you could help me when it comes to removing my cheesecake from the bottom of the pan (plate). Or can you do a tutorial? I would love to serve my cheesecake on a glass serving plate. I Always have to ask for the plate back, when I surprise someone with one of your recipes. Thank you in advance.
To Evelyn Jennerich, I cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of springform pan. i then use it to slide cake off the bottom of springform onto plate then remove the parchment paper.
One of the best things I do is find a plate/serving dishes from thrift stores, garage sales etc. and use those. If I get the dish back okay otherwise I don’t worry about losing a favourite dish. 🙂
Perfect recipe! I don’t usually like water baths for cheesecakes, but even without the bath it turned out perfect! An awesome fall dessert! I also made a caramel sauce for the top:)
I made your apple garnish today for a topping for a classic cheesecake and it was delicious! I can’t wait to try this apple cheesecake because if it tastes as good as your apple garnish it will be out of this world. Plus I’m very excited to put some of the apple garnish in my oatmeal tomorrow for breakfast…..Yum. Thanks for the great recipe!
Hi Lindsay,
Can you use canned apple pie filling for this recipe?
I haven’t tried it before to say for sure. You could try it, but it’ll have extra liquid pie filling so that might be a lot for the cheesecake filling to hold.
Best cheesecake I’ve ever made. Everyone loved it.
I was wondering if you could freeze it? I had a request to make it again but my time is limited and was hoping I could make it in advance (except for the Apple garish on top, that I would make the day off and place it on top once it defrosts).
Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, freezing should be fine. Just wrap it well and thaw it in the fridge.
Will the apples soften just from being in the batter? I will be using granny smith so am worried about cooking time. Thanks!
I find that they softened just fine.
I cut the recipe in half and it’s in the oven. It looks amazing so far!
Hi, can I use a 6-inch pan instead of a 9-inch one? It’s the only pan I have and I prefer not to buy another one. This is my first cheesecake so I’m very excited! It looks so good! Hope it comes out well when I make it.
I haven’t ever made that size cheesecake. You could try to cut the recipe down by maybe half and see how it does. I’m sure it would bake fine, I’m just not entirely sure how much filling you need and how long it needs to bake.
One of the best desserts I’ve ever made, everyone LOVED it!!
Awesome! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it!
Hi after cheesecake is cooled in fridge, you put cake on a plate and drizzle cooked apples on top! Question do you wait until apple mixture is cool before placing on cheesecake?
You could do it either way. If the idea of warm apples appeals to you, then use them warm. But they’d also be fine cooled.
Hi Lindsay! What are your thoughts on using pears instead of apples? I have yet to find a pear cheesecake recipe I like and I always have luck with your recipes!
I haven’t tried it before and pears are certainly softer than apples. But if you account for that while cooking your pears, I would think it would be fine.
I am collecting Cheesecake recipes and any you post would be greatly appreciated. I’m up to over 900 so far.
I made this cheesecake for Christmas and it was absolutely perfect! It was a huge hit and possibly the best cheesecake I’ve ever had.
I’m so glad you enjoyed! 🙂
It is in the oven. It smells wonderful!
Since I’m low carb, I tweaked this recipe to make it low carb by omitting the graham cracker crust and just used sliced apples as the crust, and about 1 tbsp of honey in the cream cheese mixture. Everything else was the same (no sugar). It was absolutely delicious!
I’m so glad it worked for you and you enjoyed it!
Wonderful cheesecake! I’ve been asked to make a gluten free version of this cheesecake so I’m planning on doing this without the crust but can I use cornstarch instead of the flour in the cheesecake filling?
You could, but you’d probably only want to use a tablespoon on cornstarch. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it!
This recipe looks great and cannot wait to make it! The water bath part has me a little anxious. Is that a step I can skip or will it do harm if I do? Thanks again!
I always recommend the water bath. It’s a few extra steps, but it’s worth it. Without it, you’ll often have a cheesecake that cracks, falls in the middle and browns a good bit around the edges. Here’s a tutorial for how I set mine up that might be helpful.
This looks and sounds amazing! My hubby has asked for chocolate also, so I’m thinking of either adding it to the cheesecake filling as chips, or melting it into the mixture – which (if either) do you think would work best?
It depends on how much of a chocolate flavor you want to add. Chocolate chips will be a little more subtle if added as chips. If you want to mix chocolate into the batter, melting chips would require quite a bit in order to actually taste it. You’d be best to add in some powdered cocoa.
Can this cheesecake go into the freezer? Made it and now company not coming for a month. I have not put cooked apples on top yet. Thought maybe freeze it then when it’s thawed then could add the hot apples before serving. Do you think that would be ok? Hate to ruin It! It’s that or eat it all myself!
I haven’t ever frozen a whole cheesecake, but it should be fine. I wouldn’t freeze it for longer than a month though. Just wrap it well and thaw it in the fridge.
Hey!
How far ahead can you make this? Could I bake it on a Thursday night and keep in the fridge until Monday? Should I keep the apple topping off until ready the day of serving?
I’ve never ever made a cheesecake (only phony non bake kids….), and would love to make this for Thanksgiving. Any tips would be great!!
THANKS!
You could keep it that long, but it would not be quite as fresh. I would recommend 2-3 days ahead at most. And Yes, I would wait to add the apple topping until the day of.
This cheesecake was excellent, made it exactly as the recipe says. I will definitely make this one again, my husband wants it for his birthday.
Do you have to cover with aluminum? And what kind of pan do you put it in?
Here’s a quick tutorial on how I do a water bath. I do use aluminum foil and usually put it in a larger cake pan, but I know people also use roasting pans and similar.
I truly love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own personal site and would love to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Cheers!
Hi Patricia! I’m glad you like the look of the site. I had a designer put it together for me. It was Lindsay from Purr Design.
Hi! Wonderful and flavorful recipe! I was wondering when you take it out of the oven is it still jiggly? I’m hoping it will firm up in the fridge. It’s for Christmas dessert so we are anticipating a good outcome. Thanks so much!
Yes, cheesecake usually is jiggly in the center until it’s been refrigerated and cooled. I hope you enjoyed it!
Sooo, did u peel ur apples? And what variety of apple do u prefer to bake with? Thanks!!!
I did peel them. And I usually use red delicious since they are my fave, but feel free to use whichever you prefer.
I ended up using a couple varieties of apples… VERY VERY tasty!!!! Wonderful recipe! Thanks so much! And I LOVE your website!! My favorite above all others!!!
Thanks so much Gaby! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and enjoy the site – that’s wonderful 🙂
I absolutely love this recipe! So much so I added it to my ultimate apple recipe roundup…I hope you will come by and take a look! Have a great week xo https://dreamingofleaving.com/2015/09/21/worlds-best-apple-recipe-roundup/
Ok… it’s in the oven! Let’s see!!
Seriously? Is this cheesecake even real?! Looks absolutely incredible!!!
Omg this cheesecake! It made me so happy when I saw it. I’m so ready for fall baking and cinnamon apple is totally my favorite. Wish I had a big slice of this right now! 🙂
Lindsay, this cheesecake looks incredible, and I love that you used Nilla Wafers for the crust! Also, I’m totally right there with you, so, SO excited for fall! 🙂
I’ll be dreaming about apples for days because of this cheesecake!!!!
Um, are you allowed to enter the contest? Because this cheesecake is for the WIN. It looks like the best possible way to use apples!