Grandma’s Apple Cheesecake

Grandma’s apple cheesecake. Autumn Apple Cheesecake, a wonderful dessert to make during the autumn season or for the holidays.

SERVINGS: Serves 12

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick/2 oz./56g) butter or margarine, melted
• 2 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 4 cups thinly peeled apple slices (preferably Granny Smith, MacIntosh, or Golden Delicious apples)
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

METHOD:

1. Mix crumbs, 1/2 cup pecans, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
2. Bake at 325 degrees F/160 degrees C for 10 minutes.
3. Beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
4. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition, just until blended. Pour over crust.
5. Mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; toss with apples.
6. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer; sprinkle with 1/4 cup pecans.
7. Bake at 325 degrees F/160 degrees C for 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until center is almost set.
8. Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan.
9. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Note: If desired, you may want to make a crust that goes up the sides of pan. Photo above shows cheesecake with bottom and side crust.

Source DianaDesserts