These elegant Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups are a delightful twist on the classic cheesecake, combining the rich flavors of caramel and apple in a bite-sized treat that is perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
You’ll love these cheesecake cups for their decadent combination of creamy cheesecake, sweet caramel, and tangy apple flavors. They are easy to make, look impressive, and taste absolutely delicious.
Ingredients:
For the Base:
- 12 Pecan Sandies, trimmed to fit in the muffin tin
For the Cheesecake Mixture:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2.5 oz freeze-dried apples, roughly crushed
- 1 cup Kraft Caramel Bits
- 1 TBSP flour
For the Caramel Topping:
- 11 oz Kraft Caramel Bits
- 2 TBSP water
Directions:
Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 275°F. Line your muffin tin with white cupcake liners, placing a trimmed Pecan Sandy at the bottom of each liner.
Mix the Cheesecake Base:
- In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until smooth.
Incorporate the Apples:
- Gently fold in the freeze-dried apple pieces into the creamy mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Add the Caramel:
- Toss the caramel bits with flour to coat them evenly, then fold these into your batter. This helps distribute the caramel evenly throughout the cheesecake cups.
Bake to Perfection:
- Fill each cup to the top with your cheesecake mixture. Bake for 22 minutes, rotating the tin halfway through to ensure even baking. Allow them to cool to room temperature.
Caramel Topping:
- Melt additional caramel bits with water over medium-low heat until smooth. Spoon this luscious caramel over each cheesecake cup.
Chill and Serve:
- Chill the cheesecake cups in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to set.
- Enjoy this delightful dessert that’s as elegant to present as it is delicious to eat.
Storage: Store any leftover cheesecake cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe Tips:
- For an extra crunch, you can sprinkle some crushed pecans on top of the caramel topping before serving.
- Make sure to allow the cheesecake cups to cool completely before adding the caramel topping to prevent it from melting too quickly.
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cups are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth with their perfect balance of flavors. Enjoy!