Description
Delightful Apple Mini Cheesecakes bring together creamy richness and warm autumn spices in a perfectly portioned dessert. Crisp graham cracker crusts cradle smooth cream cheese filling, topped with caramelized cinnamon apples that promise pure comfort with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheesecake Base:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) graham crackers, finely crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) melted butter
Apple Topping:
- 2 cups (300 grams) peeled and diced apples
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Pulverize graham crackers into fine, uniform crumbs. Combine with melted butter and ground cinnamon, ensuring complete integration. Firmly press mixture into paper-lined muffin cavities, creating compact, even bases. Refrigerate to solidify.
- Whip room temperature cream cheese until silky and lump-free. Incorporate sour cream, single egg, granulated and brown sugars, and pure vanilla extract. Blend thoroughly until mixture achieves smooth, homogeneous consistency.
- Distribute prepared filling evenly across prepared crusts, filling each cavity approximately three-quarters full. Position in preheated 325°F oven for precisely 20 minutes, monitoring for slight center jiggle. Allow complete cooling at ambient temperature for one hour.
- Simultaneously prepare apple topping by simmering diced apples with water, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and pinch of salt until fruit softens. Create cornstarch slurry and integrate to enhance sauce thickness. Remove from heat, allowing complete temperature reduction.
- After thorough chilling of mini cheesecakes (minimum three hours), delicately spoon cooled apple compote atop each individual dessert. Serve immediately or store refrigerated for optimal texture and flavor preservation.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to achieve a smooth, lump-free filling for a silky texture.
- Use a food processor or rolling pin to create fine graham cracker crumbs for a more uniform and compact crust.
- Prevent cracks by avoiding overmixing the cheesecake batter and baking in a water bath for gentle, even heating.
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg