With this Apple Crumble Cheesecake there is no need to choose between apple crumble or apple cheesecake because with this cheesecake recipe you get the best of both worlds.
An apple crumble tops this cheesecake with a heavenly graham cracker crust. All you need is caramel sauce drizzle to take this delicious cheesecake over the top.
This apple cheesecake recipe is a perfect fall dessert and one of my favourite desserts. Pair this dessert with a plate of Pasta alla Norma or Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells.
If you like apple recipes try my Apple Strudel recipe. You might even like my recipe for Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, Peach Cobbler with Canned Peaches or this Crockpot Apple Cobbler by Slow Cooker Living.
Jump to:
- Why You'll love this Apple Crumble Cheesecake?
- Ingredients Needed
- What's the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble?
- Do you need to grease pan for graham cracker crust?
- How to Make Apple Crumble Cheesecake
- Cream Cheese Filling
- Crumble Topping
- Apple Filling
- Top Tips
- Ingredient Substitutions You Can Use for This Cheesecake
- Variations of an Apple Crumble Cheesecake
- Equipment Recommended
- Storage
- Common Questions
- Other Lip Smacking Desserts
- Recipe Details
- Top Tips
- PIN for later here
- Food Safety
- Comments
Growing up in a Calabrian household, my mom never made apple crumble or apple crisp for that matter. But, like any other Italian folk, she always found ways to use produce before it spoiled.
That's what makes this cheesecake recipe perfect when you want a touch of fall flavors during apple season.
The holidays are the perfect time to make this cheesecake because you get two desserts in one. This is a great dessert to make for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why You'll love this Apple Crumble Cheesecake?
- Taste Fusion: It combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the comforting flavors of apple crumble, offering a delightful contrast in textures and tastes.
- Seasonal Appeal: Apple desserts are often associated with fall, making this cheesecake a perfect treat for the autumn season when apples are at their best.
- Versatility: You can customize it by using different types of apples or adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, giving your readers the option to tailor the flavor to their preferences.
- Visual Appeal: The combination of the creamy cheesecake layer and the rustic, golden apple crumble topping creates an attractive dessert that's perfect for sharing on social media, drawing more traffic to your blog.
Ingredients Needed
You'll need the following ingredients to make this delicious apple crumble cheesecake: melted butter, granny smith apples, graham crackers or graham crumbs, brown sugar, sugar, Philadelphia cream cheese, sugar, large eggs, all purpose flour, sour cream, vanilla extract, rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, lemon juice, salt, and caramel sauce (optional).
For exact measurement and full recipe details see recipe card...
What's the Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Crumble?
You might be wondering, what's the difference between apple crumble and apple crisp? Let's me break down the differences.
Apple crisp and apple crumble are both delicious desserts that feature baked apples with a streusel-like topping, but there are subtle differences between them:
Topping Texture: The main distinction lies in the texture of the topping. In an apple crisp, the topping is typically a mixture of oats, flour, sugar, and butter, resulting in a crisp and crunchy texture. On the other hand, an apple crumble's topping is often made without oats, giving it a more crumbly and sandy texture.
Ingredients: While the base ingredients are quite similar, apple crisp includes oats as a key component in the topping, while apple crumble does not.
Geographical Terminology: The terms "crisp" and "crumble" are sometimes used interchangeably, but the choice of terminology can vary by region. In some areas, both desserts are referred to as crisps, while in others, they are called crumbles.
Flavor Profile: The use of oats in apple crisps can add a nutty and slightly chewy element to the topping, while apple crumbles have a more traditional, buttery, and crumbly topping.
In the end, the choice between apple crisp and apple crumble often comes down to personal preference and regional variations in terminology. Both are delightful desserts that showcase the wonderful flavor of baked apples.
While technically this recipe should be referred to as an Apple Crisp Cheesecake, my preference is to call it the later - Apple Crumble Cheesecake.
Do you need to grease pan for graham cracker crust?
Note that I did not grease the pan. I wondered whether this would be a problem, but in the end it didn't matter. So there is no need to butter and flour the pan. You can skip this step.
How to Make Apple Crumble Cheesecake
There are three parts to compiling this dessert but it's not difficult. Take each step in the process of building this cheesecake one step at a time. Each part of the cheesecake (crust, cheesecake batter and crumble) can be made on separate days and refrigerated until all the layers have been assembled.
Making the Graham Cracker Crust
Heat oven to 350°F. To properly make this Apple Crumble Cheesecake you will need at least a 9 inch spring-form pan. If you have an 8 inch pan you can use it, however, you may need to discard some of the apple and apple crumble topping as it will overflow if you use it all.
Place the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a bowl. Use a fork to mix everything together. Place the graham cracker crumbs in an 9" spring form pan and press them down with a spoon.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden and slightly crisp to the touch. Remove from oven and let sit until completely cool.
Cream Cheese Filling
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a mixing attachment, soften the cream cheese on medium speed. Add the sugar, flour, and the eggs, one at a time. Remember to scrape the bowl.
Add the sour cream and the vanilla extract. Mix well. Scrape bowl and beat the mixture again to ensure that there are no lumps. Pour mixture over cooled graham cracker crust. Set aside for now until all other components are ready. Heat oven to 450°F while you prepare other components.
Crumble Topping
In a medium bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and melted butter. Set aside.
Apple Filling
Peel and cut the apples into cubes. and place them in a medium bowl.
In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. (Dry ingredients) In another small bowl combine lemon juice, and vanilla extract. (Wet Ingredients)
Pour the wet ingredients on the apples and toss. Pour the dry ingredients on the apple mixture and combine well. Set aside
Bake cheesecake for 10 minutes at an oven temperature of 450°F. Remove cheesecake from oven. Reduce oven to 350°F. Carefully spoon the apples in the center of the cheesecake - you can press the apples down a little. Continue spooning the apples onto the cheesecake working your way around in a circle, leave half to one inch diameter free of apples around the edges of the pan. Return the cake to the oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the cheesecake from the oven and this time using your hands sprinkle the apple crumble topping on top of the apple layer working your way around the pan. Return the cheesecake to the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Test the done-ness as you approach 20 minutes of baking. Do this by pushing a skewer close to the middle of the cheesecake. If it comes out dry it's or not sticky it's ready.
Serve with a caramel drizzle.
Top Tips
Do not peel and dice the apples until the last possible moment and work quickly. Otherwise, your apples will turn brown.
Let your cheesecake bake for 10 minutes before pouring the apples and the apple crumb topping on top. This will prevent the apple crumble from sinking into your cheesecake.
The star of this Apple Crumble Cheesecake were the granny smith apples. I'm so glad that I had my Starfrit apple peeler to help quickly peel apples, like the ones on the page here. Getting an apple peeler was the best investment I ever made.
Ingredient Substitutions You Can Use for This Cheesecake
Here are a few substitutions to consider for different dietary needs:
- Gluten Free - substitute graham cracker crumbs with almond meal or ground nuts of any kind
- Sugar Free - substitute the sugar with sweetener for keto or a sugar free version.
- Use a low fat or lactose free cream cheese - while I don't recommend this, it could be an option if you want a lactose or dairy free version.
Variations of an Apple Crumble Cheesecake
If you don't like apples or apple crumble, you can try these ideas:
- Apples/Berries - substitute granny smith with the pink lady apples, bramley apples or sweet apples or with cherries, strawberries or blueberries
- Caramel Sauce - try using salted caramel instead.
- Chocolate - add chocolate to make a chocolate version topped with a raspberry or cherry crumble or filling.
- Ice Cream - top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream just like apple pie.
If you have other ideas, go ahead and try them to make this cheesecake uniquely your own.
Equipment Recommended
Equipment plays a large role in creating any dish. For this cheesecake, it is highly recommended that use a spring form pan, an apple peeler, and a cutting board. Parchment paper also comes in handy for quick removal and transfer of your cheesecake from the spring form pan to a serving dish.
Storage
This cheesecake refrigerates and freezes very well if you have leftovers. Cover it with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container before refrigeration.
Before your freeze, just pre-cut the slices then freeze. By doing this, you can thaw out a slice as you need want it. Otherwise you would need to thaw out the entire cheesecake before you can slice it.
Drop me a comment if you decide to immediately top the cheesecake batter with the apple and crumble topping at the time of baking. I'd like to know how it turned out!
Common Questions
If you want your crumble to be crispy, you might consider baking it separately on a baking sheet and then adding it as topping.
Apple crumble and apple crisp are very similar in texture and taste. However apple crumble rarely contains oats or nuts.
Other Lip Smacking Desserts
Recipe Details
Apple Crumble Cheesecake
https://easyhomemaderecipes.caIngredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 400 g graham crumbs
- ½ cups butter melted
- 3 tbsp sugar
Cream Cheese Filling
- 750 g cream cheese 3 packages of 250g each
- 1 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- ¾ cups sour cream
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
crumble
- ⅓ cups all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- ⅓ cups rolled oats
- ⅓ cups brown sugar
- ¼ tbsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking powder
apple topping
- 3 granny smith apples
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cups brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
Optional:
- Caramel Sauce
Instructions
Crust
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Place the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a bowl. Use a fork to mix everything together. Place the graham cracker crumbs in an 9" spring form pan and press them down with a spoon.400 g graham crumbs, 3 tbsp sugar, ½ cups butter
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden and slightly crisp to the touch. Remove from oven and let sit until completely cool.
Cream Cheese Filling
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a mixing attachment, soften the cream cheese on medium speed. Add the sugar, flour, and the eggs, one at a time. Remember to scrape the bowl.750 g cream cheese, 1 cups sugar, 2 tbsp all purpose flour, 3 eggs
- Add the sour cream and the vanilla extract. Mix well. Scrape bowl and beat the mixture again to ensure that there are no lumps. Pour mixture over cooled graham cracker crust. Set aside for now until all other components are ready. Heat oven to 450°F while you prepare other components.¾ cups sour cream, 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Crumble Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and melted butter. Set aside.⅓ cups all purpose flour, ⅓ cups rolled oats, ⅓ cups brown sugar, ¼ tbsp cinnamon, ½ tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp butter
Apple Filling
- In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. (Dry ingredients) In another small bowl combine lemon juice, and vanilla extract. (Wet Ingredients)2 tbsp all purpose flour, 1 tbsp lemon juice, ¼ cups brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Peel and cut the apples into cubes. and place them in a medium bowl. Pour the wet ingredients on the apples and toss. Pour the dry ingredients on the apples and combine well. Set aside3 granny smith apples
Assembly and Baking
- Bake cheesecake for 10 minutes at an oven temperature of 450°F. Remove cheesecake from oven. Reduce oven to 350°F. Carefully spoon the apples in the center of the cheesecake - you can press the apples down a little. Continue spooning the apples onto the cheesecake working your way around in a circle, leave half to one inch diameter free of apples around the edges of the pan. Return the cake to the oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the cheesecake from the oven and this time using your hands sprinkle the apple crumble topping on top of the apple layer working your way around the pan. Return the cheesecake to the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Test the done-ness as you approach 20 minutes of baking. Do this by pushing a skewer close to the middle of the cheesecake. If it comes out dry it's or not sticky it's ready.
- Let cool and refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Serve with caramel drizzle (optional)Caramel Sauce
Notes
Top Tips
Do not peel and dice the apples until the last possible moment and work quickly. Otherwise, your apples will turn brown. Let your cheesecake bake for 10 minutes before pouring the apples and the apple crumb topping on top. This will prevent the apple crumble from sinking into your cheesecake. The star of this Apple Crumble Cheesecake were the granny smith apples. I'm so glad that I had my Starfrit apple peeler to help quickly peel apples, like the ones on the page here. Getting an apple peeler was the best investment I ever made. Remember that the apples are going to let out moisture, so don't insert the skewer directly in an apple. If it comes out and it's not sticky or really wet, it's done! If it is sticky and very wet, let bake for another 10 minutes and test again.Nutrition
PIN for later here
Food Safety
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
Remember to:
- Not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For Canadian Guidelines check the Government of Canada Food Safety Guidelines or see more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Tee says
Can you please advise… is the crisp different from the crumble? You state to add crumble to cake then take out and sprinkle crisp but there’s no part of making the crisp? Steps 13- 14 is confusing
AmyG says
Hello Tee,
My sincere apologies for the delay in responding to your comment. It's all apple crumble.
Enjoy!
I Fashion Styles says
My spouse and I stumbled over here different web address and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking at your web page for a second time.
Courtney says
For the apple topping your instructions for the wet ingredients say to add melted butter but you dont say how much, unless I missed it somewhere
AmyG says
Hi Courtney,
Thank you for visiting. There is no butter in the "apple filling". There is melted butter in the "crisp" topping. Add 2 tbsp of melted butter to the apple crisp ingredients and set aside.
I made this yesterday and tweaked the recipe last night. I hope you enjoy!
Courtney says
Thank you for your quick reply. You might want to change step 7 it says to mix the melted butter with lemon juice. Hoping mine turns out as well as yours
AmyG says
Thanks, i've adjusted the directions. 🙂