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Apple Cider Cheesecake Recipe

Apple Cider Cheesecake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 22 reviews

This Apple Cider Cheesecake combines a spiced apple cider reduction with a creamy, rich cheesecake filling atop a buttery cookie crust. Infused with mulling spices and warm cinnamon, this dessert perfectly balances tart and sweet flavors, making it an ideal treat for fall and holiday seasons.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 2 cups digestive cookies or graham crackers (270g)
  • ½ cup butter, melted (113g)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Apple Cider Reduction

  • 3 cups fresh apple cider (honeycrisp cider recommended for a tart flavor)
  • Mulling spices (cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, or a pre-mixed blend)

Cheesecake Filling

  • 3 cream cheese bricks, softened and at room temperature (227g each)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (220g)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream (240g)
  • ⅓ cup reduced apple cider (from the above reduction)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Reduce the Apple Cider: Boil 3 cups of fresh apple cider with mulling spices in a large pot on high heat for about 1 hour, until it thickens into a syrupy consistency and reduces to approximately ⅓ cup. Set aside to cool.
  2. Preheat Oven for Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking the crust.
  3. Prepare the Crust: Using a food processor, pulse the digestive cookies or graham crackers until finely ground. Add melted butter, salt, and powdered sugar, then pulse until the mixture forms wet crumbs that hold together when pressed.
  4. Shape and Bake the Crust: Press the crumb mixture evenly into an 8-inch round springform pan wrapped in foil or an 8-inch cake pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, then allow to cool completely and chill in the refrigerator.
  5. Lower Oven Temperature: Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the cheesecake.
  6. Beat Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese and brown sugar until completely smooth and lump-free, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure even mixing.
  7. Add Flavorings and Reduced Cider: Incorporate the sour cream, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, and cooled reduced apple cider into the cream cheese mixture. Beat until the filling is very creamy, scraping down frequently.
  8. Add Eggs and Flour: Gently beat in the eggs and all-purpose flour, combining just until incorporated to avoid overmixing, which could cause cracks.
  9. Prepare Water Bath: Place the cheesecake pan inside a larger 13×9-inch pan. Fill the outer pan with hot water about halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan to create a water bath that prevents cracking during baking.
  10. Pour Filling and Bake: Pour the creamy cheesecake filling over the chilled crust. Bake for 90 minutes or more until the edges are set but the center still has a slight wobble when gently shaken.
  11. Initial Cooling in Oven: Turn off the oven, crack the oven door open with a wooden spoon, and let the cheesecake cool inside for about 30 minutes to prevent sudden temperature changes.
  12. Further Cooling: Close the oven door and cool the cheesecake for an additional 15 minutes.
  13. Cool and Chill: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool to room temperature on the counter. Then refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight before serving to allow it to set perfectly.

Notes

  • Using honeycrisp apple cider adds a nice tartness to balance the sweetness.
  • Ensure cream cheese is fully softened and at room temperature to avoid lumps.
  • Do not overmix the eggs into the batter to prevent cracks in the cheesecake.
  • The water bath is essential for gentle, even baking and to reduce cracking.
  • Chilling the crust before adding filling helps it stay firm during baking.
  • Allowing the cheesecake to cool gradually in the oven prevents sudden temperature shocks and cracking.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cheesecake, autumn dessert, mulling spices cheesecake, fall recipes, creamy cheesecake

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/apple-cider-cheesecake-recipe/