Indulge your guests with bite-sized caramel apple cheesecakes featuring a crunchy streusel topping. These miniature treats boast an unforgettable fusion of flavors, including brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and the perfect balance of sweet and tangy from the apple topping. The best part? They’re remarkably easy to prepare, making them an excellent alternative to traditional apple pie or crisp. With each mouthful, you’ll experience a delightful harmony of textures and tastes that’s sure to leave everyone wanting more.
For another sweet treat, consider whipping up some raspberry jam and buttercream sandwich cookies or perhaps rustling up some raspberry hazelnut thumbprint cookies or strawberry mousse tartlets.
How to Make Apple Cheesecake Bites
To begin, combine the crust ingredients and portion them evenly among 12 greased muffin cups. Next, using an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add the yogurt, egg, caramel sauce, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. Split this mixture between the muffin cups, filling each one to capacity.
In a separate bowl, mix together the sliced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon. In another bowl, combine flour, sugar, oats, and cinnamon, cutting in the butter using a pastry cutter or fork – a potato masher can also be used effectively.
Alternate layers of apple mixture and streusel topping within each muffin cup, finishing off with a layer of streusel. Bake the Fall cheesecake recipe for 30 minutes before allowing it to chill and serve chilled with your choice of ice cream or whipped cream (or both!). If you have any apples left over, consider using them in Fireball apple shortcakes; if not, you might enjoy pairing this dessert with peach mango pie or cherry oat bars.
5 Top Tips for Success
When preparing mini caramel apple cheesecakes, it’s crucial to press down the crust ingredients to prevent the crusts from breaking when removing the cheesecake bites from the muffin cups. The choice of apples is also important, as you can use a tart variety like Granny Smith or something sweeter like Honeycrisp – whatever your preference for apple crisp or pie. In terms of oats, rolled oats are the way to go, as opposed to quick oats which may not provide the best texture in this Fall-inspired cheesecake recipe. To add an extra layer of crunch, consider incorporating a handful of finely chopped nuts into the apple topping, with options like walnuts or pecans being good choices. As these cheesecakes require at least a couple of hours’ chilling time before serving, it’s best to make them ahead and plan accordingly.
Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes – FAQs
When it comes to storage, mini caramel apple cheesecakes can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week as long as they are stored in a sealed container. In my experience, they wouldn’t last that long around here, but it’s good to know the limit! As for variations on this Fall-themed cheesecake recipe, feel free to experiment with different ingredients. If you’re an apple crisp or pie enthusiast, you’ll likely be satisfied with the original recipe as is. However, if you want to mix things up, consider substituting apples with pears and cinnamon with ginger for a unique twist. You could also try swapping half of the oats for chopped nuts or using fudge sauce instead of caramel. Lastly, when it comes to preparing the muffin cups, I would strongly advise lining them with paper or silicone liners and spraying them with a non-stick spray oil before adding the crust, filling, and apple topping. This will ensure that your cheesecakes don’t stick to the cups and can be easily removed once they’re done.
Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping Recipe
Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes with Streusel Topping
Indulge in the warm, cozy flavors of autumn with these scrumptious mini caramel apple cheesecakes, topped with a crunchy streusel topping. These bite-sized treats are sure to delight both kids and adults alike, making them the perfect addition to your fall gathering or dessert table. With only 30 minutes of prep time, you’ll be whipping up these sweet indulgences in no time! Once baked and cooled, slice into 12 generous portions that will surely satisfy any sweet tooth.
Instructions
To begin, preheat your oven to a cozy 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line up twelve muffin cups with liners and give them a light misting of non-stick spray. In a medium-sized bowl, combine graham crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar, then spoon a small amount into each muffin cup and press it evenly onto the bottom. Next, fire up your stand mixer (or hand mixer) to cream together the cream cheese until smooth. Add in Greek yogurt, egg, caramel sauce, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. Spoon this cheesecake mixture evenly over the crusts in each muffin cup. Now it’s time for the apples! Peel, core, and dice them up, then measure out the brown sugar and cinnamon into a separate bowl and combine them. Add in the diced apples and stir to coat them evenly. Set that aside for now. In another large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, rolled oats, and cinnamon. Use a pastry cutter to cut in the softened butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Spoon a little of the apple mixture into each muffin cup, followed by a dollop of the topping. Finally, pop those muffins into the oven for 30 minutes, then let them chill for at least two hours before serving. If you’re feeling extra fancy, top with whipped cream for an added touch.
Notes
When constructing your cheesecakes, it’s crucial to properly pack the graham cracker crusts to ensure they can support the substantial weight of the filling and toppings. A loose base can result in an unstable dessert that’s prone to crumbling. To avoid this issue, make sure to compress the crusts firmly before adding the cheesecake mixture and topping it off with your preferred garnishes, such as whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or a dollop of Cool Whip. For added flair, consider drizzling a sweet caramel sauce over the top for a rich, indulgent treat.