This no-bake apple crumble cheesecake is a delightful fusion of two beloved desserts: the rich, creamy decadence of cheesecake and the warm, comforting flavours of apple crumble. This dessert typically consists of several layers, each contributing to a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
In this blog post, you will learn how to make a no-bake, apple crumble cheesecake.
Apple crumble cheesecake is a fusion dessert that marries the richness of cheesecake with the homey, comforting flavours of an apple crumble. The result is a dessert that is both creamy and crunchy, sweet and tart, making it a perfect choice for those who love layered, textured sweets.
Combine the crushed graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl, mixing until the crumbs are evenly coated and the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of your 9”x13” dish, ensuring an even thickness. Place into the refrigerator and let cool completely before using, approximately 1 hour.
If you want to learn how to make a Homemade Graham Cracker Base that needs to be baked, click this link here!
For the cream cheese filling, you will want to start with beating your cream until it is whipped and forming stiff peaks. At this point, fold in the softened cream cheese and Greek yoghurt. When that is mixed together, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix well and keep in the refrigerator until the cheesecake is ready to be assembled.
To make the apple pie filling, you will begin with peeling, paring, and dicing your apples. After you dice your apples, you will pour them into a large bowl and mix them with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and vanilla. Let the apple mixture macerate for a better flavour. Once the apples have macerated for about an hour, pour the apple filling into a deep skillet or Dutch oven and heat on the hob for about 5 minutes. This will cook and soften the apples so that the apples will be tender since this cheesecake is a no bake cheesecake.
The crumble topping is made up of flour, sugar, oats, and butter. Mix the flour, oats, and sugar together well. Then you will want to cut in the butter. The butter should be removed from the fridge right before you need it because it needs to be very cold. Once mixed all together until it resembles crumbs, place onto a lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for an hour at 375℉/190℃/Gas Mark 5. Let cool completely before using it to top the cheesecake.
Now to put it all together! Remove your Graham cracker base from the refrigerator making sure that it is properly cooled. Pour the cream cheese filling on top of the Graham cracker base and spread it evenly across the base. Now take your apple pie filling and spoon it on top of the cream cheese filling. Lastly, sprinkle your granola crumbs over the top of the cheesecake. Place in the fridge until ready to serve!
Graham Crackers: graham crackers provide a crunchy texture and a mildly sweet, slightly nutty flavour that is characteristic of graham crackers.
Flour: flour is used to make the crumble’s topping. It provides structure and helps to bind the ingredients together, creating a tender and flaky texture in the finished dish.
Rolled Oats: rolled oats contribute a hearty, chewy texture to the crumble topping. When baked, they become slightly crisp on the outside while remaining tender on the inside, creating a pleasant contrast with the softer fruit filling below.
Apples: apples provide the primary flavour and texture of the filling. The choice of apple variety can affect the pie’s taste and consistency, with popular options being Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for their firm texture and balanced sweetness.
Cream Cheese: cream cheese is the primary ingredient, providing the filling with its rich, creamy texture and signature tangy flavour. It serves as the base, giving the filling a thick and luxurious consistency that’s perfect for cheesecakes.
Greek Yoghurt: Greek yogurt adds a subtle tanginess and lightens the texture of the cream cheese filling. It helps balance the richness of the cream cheese while adding a slightly tangy note that enhances the overall flavour. It can also contribute a bit of protein and a smooth, creamy consistency.
Whipped Cream: whipped cream is folded into the cream cheese mixture to add lightness and a fluffy texture to the filling. It helps to create a smooth, airy consistency, making the filling less dense and more mousse-like. The whipped cream also adds a touch of sweetness and enhances the creamy mouthfeel.
Brown Sugar: brown sugar sweetens the apple filling while adding a deeper, more complex flavour compared to white sugar. It also helps to create a slightly gooey, caramelized texture when baked.
Sugar: sugar enhances the natural sweetness of the graham crackers and helps bind the crumbs together.
Butter: butter melts and coats the graham cracker crumbs, allowing them to stick together when pressed into the pan. Provides richness and a cohesive structure to the crust.
Lemon Juice: lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dessert, enhancing the flavour of the peaches and balancing the sweetness of the sugar.
Vanilla Extract: vanilla extract adds warmth and depth of flavour to the dessert.
Cinnamon: cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the flavour of the apples, enhancing their natural sweetness and providing a classic spiced taste that is characteristic of apple pie.