When the warmth of cinnamon meets the creaminess of cheesecake, magic happens. I remember the first time I made this Apple Crumble Cheesecake. It was a cozy Sunday, the kind where we didn’t plan much beyond good food and soft music. My husband had just come back from the farmer’s market with a bag of freshly picked apples, and I had leftover graham crackers and cream cheese waiting for their moment. That’s how this recipe was born; half necessity, half experiment, and completely delicious.
This dessert blends two of our all-time favorites: the tangy richness of cheesecake and the nostalgic crunch of an Apple Crumble. It’s been on repeat ever since, especially in fall when apples are at their peak. Whether you’re serving a crowd or sneaking forkfuls straight from the fridge (guilty), this dessert checks every box.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumble Cheesecake
A Marriage of Two Classics
Why settle for just apple crumble or plain cheesecake when you can have both? The rich, creamy filling pairs beautifully with the tartness of baked apples and the crunchy cinnamon-oat topping. It’s layered indulgence in every slice.
The crumble on top isn’t just for looks, it adds texture and a buttery depth that takes this dessert beyond basic. And if you loved the simplicity of our Apple Pie Dump Cake, this one brings all the flavor with just a few more steps.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This Apple Crumble Cheesecake fits right in at Thanksgiving, potlucks, or a random Tuesday. It holds up well in the fridge for days (if it lasts that long), and it’s just as impressive for a holiday table as it is comforting for a night in.
If you’ve made our Apple Cobbler Recipe, think of this as its elevated cousin; rich, creamy, and finished with the same spiced apple goodness.
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Apple Crumble Cheesecake
This Apple Crumble Cheesecake combines creamy cheesecake, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a buttery crumble topping in one showstopping dessert.
- Total Time: 6 hours (with chilling)
- Yield: 1 9-inch cheesecake 1x
Ingredients
Crust:
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Layer:
2 medium apples, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Crumble Topping:
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup old-fashioned oats
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup cold butter, cubed
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line the bottom of a springform pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into pan and bake for 8–10 minutes. Cool.
3. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
4. Toss apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
5. In another bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter until crumbly.
6. Pour cheesecake filling over crust. Top with apples, then sprinkle crumble over top.
7. Bake for 55–60 minutes. Turn oven off and let it cool inside with door ajar for 30 mins.
8. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
You can swap apples for pears or add chopped pecans to the crumble for extra texture.
Freezes well for up to 1 month. For best slicing, use a hot knife wiped clean between cuts.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
What You’ll Need
Ingredients List
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Layer:
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Looking for more apple inspiration? You might also like our cozy Crockpot Caramel Apple Dump Cake, especially when you’re short on prep time.
How to Make Apple Crumble Cheesecake
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1. Make the Crust:
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a springform pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Let cool. - 2. Prepare Cheesecake Filling:
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs one at a time. Mix until creamy but not overbeaten. - 3. Apple Mixture:
Toss diced apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Let sit while preparing crumble. - 4. Crumble Topping:
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Use fingers or a pastry cutter until it forms pea-sized clumps. - 5. Assemble:
Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust. Top with apple mixture, then sprinkle crumble over apples. - 6. Bake:
Bake for 55–60 minutes or until center is set but slightly jiggly. Turn off oven, crack door, and let cheesecake sit for 30 minutes. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Tips & Variations
Make It Your Way
Want to keep things gluten-free? Swap the graham crackers and flour for gluten-free alternatives. Dairy-free cream cheese also works if you’re avoiding lactose.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for a nuttier crunch, or a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce over the cooled cheesecake for an extra treat.
Short on Time?
Use store-bought cheesecake base and pre-cooked apple pie filling; it won’t be quite the same, but it still hits the spot. Or if you’re craving quick comfort, try our easy Apple Crisp instead; fewer steps, similar payoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, this cheesecake tastes better the next day. Chill overnight for best texture and flavor.
What kind of apples are best?
Granny Smith apples are ideal for their tartness and firmness, but Honeycrisp or Fuji work great, too.
How do I prevent cracks in the cheesecake?
Don’t overbeat the eggs, and always bake in a water bath or use the oven-crack cooling method for a gentle finish.
Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Wrap slices in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Crumble Cheesecake is the dessert I turn to when I want to impress without stress. It’s cozy, crowd-pleasing, and combines the best of creamy cheesecake with spiced apple crumble. Each slice tells its own little love story, and if yours goes missing before guests arrive, well, I won’t judge.
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