Description
These delicious Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples combine tender baked apples with a creamy, cinnamon-infused cheesecake filling, topped with a buttery graham cracker crumble. Perfect as a warm dessert for cozy evenings or special occasions, this recipe offers a delightful blend of fruity sweetness and rich cream cheese flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Apples
- 6 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work great)
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
Topping
- ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Optional: chopped pecans, caramel drizzle, or a pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the apples evenly.
- Prepare Apples: Slice off the tops of the apples and carefully scoop out the core and some of the flesh using a spoon or melon baller, leaving a thick shell intact to hold the filling.
- Make Cheesecake Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sour cream or Greek yogurt until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Stuff Apples: Spoon the cheesecake filling into each hollowed apple, mounding the filling slightly above the edges for a generous portion.
- Prepare Topping: Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until the mixture is crumbly and moist, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the filled apples.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the stuffed apples upright in a baking dish. Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the dish to help keep the apples moist, then cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake Apples: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the apples are tender but still hold their shape and the topping is lightly golden.
- Serve with Optional Garnishes: Remove the foil and optionally drizzle caramel sauce over the apples and sprinkle with chopped pecans or a pinch of nutmeg before serving for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Choose firm apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji to ensure the apples hold their shape well during baking.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and healthier option.
- To make the dessert vegan, consider using vegan cream cheese and vegan butter substitutes, and skip optional toppings containing dairy.
- For a crunchier topping, toast the graham cracker crumbs lightly before mixing with butter.
- Leftover filling can be used as a dip or spread for crackers or fruit.
