Apple Cider Cheesecake: The Best Fall Dessert You’ll Love
Indulge in this Apple Cider Cheesecake, a delightful fall dessert that combines creamy cheesecake with the warmth of apple cider.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Cooling Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 5 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 pieces
Calories 620 kcal
Apple Cider Reduction
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Crust
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs about 7 crushed sheets of graham crackers
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
Filling
- 2 packages cream cheese softened, 8 ounces each
- ¾ cup superfine granulated sugar or granulated sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2 tablespoons apple cider reduction from above
Apple Cider Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup heavy cream warmed slightly
- ¼ cup reduced apple cider from above
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Garnish
- apples sliced for topping (optional)
Apple Cider Reduction
To a small saucepan over medium heat, add the apple cider and cinnamon. Cook for 20-22 minutes, or until it is reduced to about ⅓ cup. Set aside to cool completely.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 7-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
Crust
Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Make sure all graham crackers are coated in butter and that it is a coarse sand consistency.
Press crust into the bottom of the springform pan. Wrap two pieces of aluminum foil around the base of the springform pan. This is to prevent water from getting into the pan during the water bath step. Set aside.
Filling
To the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, add cream cheese and sugar. Mix until combined, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add in 2 tablespoons of the reduced apple cider. (Reserve the rest for the caramel.)
Add the sour cream and vanilla. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
With the mixer on low, add in eggs, one by one until fully incorporated.
Pour the filling onto the crust.
Place the springform pan into a deep roasting pan. Pour hot water into the roasting pan, about halfway up the side of the springform pan.
Bake until the top of the cheesecake turns golden, about 60-70 minutes. Remove from oven. Let the cheesecake cool on a wire rack.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, up to overnight.
Apple Cider Caramel
While the cheesecake is still cooling, prepare your apple cider caramel topping.
To a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, add the granulated sugar. Spread it out evenly over the bottom of the pan. Set the saucepan over medium-low heat. Do not stir the sugar at this point. Allow the sugar to begin melting on its own.
As the sugar starts to melt around the edges, gently tilt the pan to help the sugar melt evenly. Once you see a significant amount of melted sugar, you can start gently stirring with a wooden spoon or heatproof silicone spatula to ensure all the sugar melts evenly.
Serving: 1pieceCalories: 620kcal
Keyword Apple Cider Cheesecake, Apple Dessert, cheesecake, Cider Recipes, fall dessert, Thanksgiving Desserts