Description
These Irresistibly Creamy Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples are a delightful dessert that combines tender baked apples with a smooth, flavorful cheesecake filling, topped with a buttery graham cracker crust. Perfect for a cozy treat, this recipe balances sweetness, tartness, and warm spices to create a comforting and elegant dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 medium apples, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp (hold their shape beautifully when baked)
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened for easy mixing)
- 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for flavor)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (enhances flavor)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (brightens the filling)
Topping
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (for topping)
- 2 tbsp butter (melted to bind crumbs)
- Pinch of cinnamon (for topping flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the stuffed apples evenly.
- Prepare Apples. Wash and core the apples carefully, making sure to keep the bottoms intact to create sturdy wells for the cheesecake filling.
- Make Cheesecake Filling. In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and creamy, forming the delicious filling.
- Fill Apples. Spoon the cheesecake mixture into each cored apple, pressing gently to fill completely and evenly without breaking the apple walls.
- Prepare Topping. In a separate bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and a pinch of cinnamon, mixing well to create a crumbly, buttery topping.
- Top the Apples. Sprinkle the graham cracker crumb mixture over each stuffed apple, pressing lightly to ensure it adheres to the filling.
- Arrange for Baking. Place the filled and topped apples in a baking dish. Drizzle the lemon juice over the apples to add brightness and keep flavors fresh during baking.
- Bake. Bake the stuffed apples in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the cheesecake filling is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve. Allow the baked apples to cool slightly for safe handling and optimum flavor before serving your delightful dessert.
Notes
- Choose firmer apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to maintain structure during baking.
- Adjust sugar in the filling based on your preference for sweetness or the tartness of the apples.
- Let cream cheese soften to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother filling.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated before serving.
