Description
Delight in these Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples, a comforting dessert perfect for any season. Crisp apples are hollowed and filled with a creamy cheesecake mixture, baked to tender perfection and topped with optional crunchy and sweet garnishes like crushed graham crackers, caramel sauce, and toasted nuts for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Apples
- 6 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- Crushed graham crackers
- Caramel sauce
- Toasted pecans or walnuts
- Cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare it for the apples.
- Prepare Apples: Core and hollow out the apples carefully, making sure to leave the bottoms intact to hold the filling. Mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon together and sprinkle this mixture inside each hollowed apple to add warmth and sweetness.
- Mix Filling: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until you achieve a smooth texture. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice and mix until the cheesecake filling is creamy and fully combined.
- Stuff Apples: Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each prepared apple with the cheesecake filling, leaving a small space at the top to prevent overflow during baking.
- Bake: Arrange the stuffed apples in the greased baking dish, cover them with foil, and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the filling is set and the apples are tender.
- Cool & Garnish: Allow the baked apples to cool slightly. Then garnish with your choice of crushed graham crackers, caramel sauce, toasted pecans or walnuts, and cinnamon sugar. Serve warm for a delightful dessert experience.
Notes
- Select firm apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala to hold their shape during baking.
- Be careful not to overfill the apples to avoid spillage during cooking.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother filling.
- The baking time may vary slightly depending on apple size and oven performance.
- Leftover baked apples can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
