Description
Delicious and comforting Cheesecake Stuffed Apples featuring juicy baking apples filled with a creamy, sweet cheesecake mixture, baked to perfection and topped with caramel sauce, walnuts, and graham cracker crumbs for a delightful dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 4 baking apples such as Gala or Fuji, cored
Cheesecake Filling
- 4 ounces (1/2 block or 4 tablespoons) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature and not cold to the touch (do not substitute fat-free)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce plus more for drizzle (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts plus more for garnish
Garnish
- Graham cracker crumbs, for garnish
- Additional caramel sauce, for drizzle
- Additional chopped walnuts, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan or small casserole dish large enough to hold all 4 apples comfortably.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer on medium-high speed to beat together the room temperature cream cheese and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. This aerates the filling and ensures smooth consistency.
- Add Egg, Caramel, Vanilla, and Walnuts: Scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate any cream cheese clumps. Beat in the egg thoroughly until incorporated, then add the caramel sauce and vanilla extract. Finally, fold in the chopped walnuts to add texture and flavor to the filling.
- Stuff the Apples: Place the cored apples upright in the prepared baking pan. Using a spoon, fill each apple with the cheesecake mixture. If some apple cores are too small to hold enough filling, carefully widen the opening with a small knife, making sure not to cut too close to the apple edges to prevent cracking or leakage during baking.
- Bake: Bake the stuffed apples in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheesecake filling is set. The center may have a slight jiggle but should be firm to the touch when done.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the apples from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm, drizzling with extra caramel sauce and sprinkling additional chopped walnuts and graham cracker crumbs on top for crunch and added sweetness.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently before serving to restore creaminess.
Notes
- Use baking apples like Gala or Fuji as they hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth mixing without lumps.
- Do not substitute fat-free cream cheese as it affects texture and flavor.
- Widen the apple core opening carefully to avoid breaking the apple walls.
- Leftover stuffed apples can be refrigerated for up to 5 days and reheated gently for best texture.
- Caramel sauce can be homemade or store-bought based on convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed apple
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: cheesecake stuffed apples, baked apples dessert, caramel stuffed apples, creamy apple dessert, walnut stuffed apples
