Ingredients:
1/2 cup crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup granulated sugar
24 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
50ml caramel sauce (plus extra for garnish)
1 cup apple pie filling
1 chopped apple (for garnish)
Crumbled graham crackers (for garnish)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
Prepare the crust:
In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Make the cheesecake batter:
In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully combined. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
Layer the cheesecake:
Pour half of the cheesecake batter over the crust in the pan. Spread the apple pie filling over the batter, then drizzle with caramel sauce. Pour the remaining cheesecake batter on top of the apple layer.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, until the edges are slightly browned and the center is set.
Cool the cheesecake:
Turn off the oven, leaving the door slightly ajar, and let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour.
Chill the cheesecake:
After cooling, refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to fully set.
Garnish and serve:
Before serving, garnish with chopped apples, crumbled graham crackers, and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.
This recipe makes 12 servings, with about 480 calories per slice. Total time is around 5 hours, with 20 minutes for preparation and 60 minutes for baking.