Caramel Apple Cheese Cake

I have a lot of jars of canned apples I should be using up and I get 4 boys this weekend so think this will be on the menu.  I don't think I have shared it in the past.  I'm always looking for good apple recipes that also work as great air fresheners with aromas of apples and cinnamon.  This should work.

Crust

1/2 cup softened butter

1 cup flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

or make it easy on yourself and lay down a roll of Pillsbury crescent rolls and sprinkle with a little brown sugar and cinnamon.

Cheesecake

1/4 cup sugar

8 ounces whipped cream cheese

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apples

2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into bite sized pieces

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Or you may use canned apples or my apple-pie-in-a-jar drained (that's my plan)

Topping

6 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

I have some pecans in the freezer.  I might chop them and toss them in the topping to make it even more tasty.

Caramel Sauce

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon coarse salt

or use a store bought jar of caramel sauce (that's my plan)

Crust  

Cut the butter into the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon until combined and crumbly.  Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking dish lined with foil.  Bake in a preheated 350 F.  oven until lightly golden brown, about 8 to 12 minutes, set aside and let cool.

Cheesecake

Beat the sugar into the cream cheese until smooth.  Beat in the egg followed by the vanilla extract.

Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

Apples

Mix the apples, cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.  Sprinkle the apples on top of the cream cheese layer.

Topping

Cut the butter into the flour, sugar, cinnamon and rolled oats until combined and crumbly. Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the apples.  Add in walnuts or pecan if you like.  Bake in a preheated 350 F. oven until the cheesecake has set, about 25 to 35 minutes, and let cool.  

Caramel Sauce

Heat the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat and simmer it until it turns a medium amber color.

Remove from heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream.  Return to heat and cook until smooth, stirring with a wooden spoon.  Stir in the butter or just use the store bought and make it simple on yourself.

Our weather is finally turning around and I believe spring is in the air.  Going to Dubuque today and might hit Aldi's and/or HyVee for ideas.  Hope you have a beautiful day.  Be happy and may God bless you and yours.