Apple Crumble Cheesecake

In my mind, we’re already deep into fall and apple season. So, I wanted to make the most of the stunning world of fresh, crisp, juicy apples. And this eggless apple crumble cheesecake recipe totally hits the mark!

It has everything I could ask for from a dessert: plenty of fruit, front and center; oodles of cream cheese, silky and rich; ample toasted crumble, crackly and crunchy. 

And a hint of cinnamon to make the cake even better. 

What’s the difference between a crisp and crumble?

For some people, a crisp and a crumble mean the same thing, but there is a difference. What that difference is, is up for debate. Few cooks say crumbles have a streusel-like topping (made of sugar, butter, and flour), and crisps have nuts and oats included in them. Others say that crumbles specifically use oats, while crisps use nuts to bring the crunchy texture. 

My take? Crumble, crisp, or even apple cobbler, all are delicious, so pander to your preference. 

What’s the secret to a good cheesecake? And more such tips.

Any cheesecake, mango, strawberry, hazelnut, etc., needs to cool. That’s my first tip and one that I always ask people to follow. Make the cheesecake a day ahead and let it chill in the fridge overnight. It makes a wonderful difference to the consistency and is the secret to a good cake. 

How do you make the apple crumble crispy?

Again, by letting it cool for at least 8 hours or overnight. As I said, it makes all the difference. 

More baked apple crumble cheesecake recipe tricks

• Keep all your ingredients at room temperature. It helps keep the cream cheese filling lump-free without over mixing it. 
• And that’s the next trick. Don’t over mix the filling. The more you whisk, the more aerated it becomes, which can cause cracks. Plus, less air keeps the cake moist, rich, and dense. 
• Always bake at the recommended temperature to avoid over-baking. 
• Use a springform cake pan and cover the base and sides with foil. It’s easier to remove and gives you a mess-free oven (in case the batter decides to leak out). 

How to make apple crumble cheesecake?

Start with the cheesecake base

• While your oven preheats at 180 °C, combine crushed Marie biscuits with melted butter. 
• When your crumb feels uniform and gains a sandy texture, press it down onto the base of your springform pan. Pat it firmly so it is packed tightly. 
• Bake the base for ten minutes, then lower the temperature of the oven by ten degrees. 

Prep the apples and crumble

• Thinly slice the apples, toss them in lemon juice, and set them aside. 
• In a bowl, combine rolled oats, melted butter, coconut sugar with cinnamon using your hands till you get a clumpy mixture. 

Put together the cheesecake filling

• Beat cream cheese with raw sugar, cream, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. 
• You’re looking for a homogenous, smooth mixture with no lumps. Don’t beat it beyond this point. 

Bake the apple crumble cheesecake

• Pour the filling over the baked crust.
• Decoratively arrange the apple slices on top. 
• Scatter the crumble mixture as the final layer. 
• Then bake for a good 55 to 60 minutes at 160 °C.

Cheesecake with crumble topping FAQs

Why do you need to bake the cheesecake crust first?

When you bake the biscuit crust of the cheesecake first, you ensure it doesn’t get soggy. It remains perfectly crunchy even after adding the filling, juicy fruits, and the caramel drizzle (I’ll get to that in a moment).

Why do you need to add lemon juice to apples?

Cut apples oxidize in a wink and turn brown. The lemon juice prevents any discoloration (and obviously shines more light on the flavors).

What kind of apples should you use for apple crumble?

There’s no hard and fast rule on which kind of apples to use for apple crumble. That said, the best apples for baking are those that have a strong flavor and crisp texture (so they don’t turn into mush). Pick any, most of them lend an amazing chewy texture and add moisture.

My personal choice is always Granny Smith because they have a tart bite to them. This time I couldn’t get my hands on the green apples, so I used what was available in the nearby market. 

How do you know when the apple crumble cheesecake is done?

Unlike other cheesecakes, you can’t visually see when the cake is done. You’ll have to touch the center. When it feels wobbly, that’s the time to turn off the heat. Crack the oven door open a bit and let the cake rest inside for 30 minutes before you take it out. 

How do you fix a cheesecake that’s browning too much?

If you feel the crumble top is browning too much and the center of the cake is still not completely baked, cover it with a sheet of foil.

What other ingredients can you use in this cheesecake recipe?

There are not many variations you can try in an apple crumble cheesecake. But a few are:

Crust: Graham crackers or digestives are great replacements for Marie biscuits because they are not too sweet. 

Sugar: Regular white versions work perfectly well in this recipe. 

Eggs: You can add up to two eggs to the cream cheese filling. 

Crumble: Omit it completely or scatter a very thicker layer of it; the choice is yours. 

How do you serve apple crumble cheesecake? With caramel sauce.

Once the cheesecake has sat overnight, it is time to serve it with a drizzle of caramel sauce – either homemade or store-bought. (Here’s how you can make a healthier version at home.)

Is the caramel necessary? If you ask me, then hell yeah. Apples and caramel are a classic combo. The gooey sauce makes the apple crumble cheesecake a party in your mouth. But you can choose to leave it out and serve the cake as-is. 

More apple recipes to try this fall:

Classic Apple Pie

Apple Walnut Salad

Apple Cranberry Scones

Peanut Butter Apple Muffins

Gluten-free Apple Pancakes

Gluten-free Apple Hand Pies

More cheesecake recipes:

Oreo Cheesecake

Lemon Cheesecake

Espresso Cheesecake

Cherry Cheesecake

Cinnamon Cheesecake 

📖 Recipe