Apple Pie Cheesecake
Crust:
1 ¾ C - Graham cracker crumbs (or other type of cookie crumbs – Nilla Wafers, Chocolate Teddy Grahams, etc.)
1 Stick – Butter, melted
¼ C – Brown sugar
Mix above ingredients and press into a 9 inch pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 350°.
Filling:
3 – Apples, peeled and cut into chunks
1 T – Lemon juice
½ t – Cinnamon
½ t – Nutmeg
¼ C – Maple syrup
2 – 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
½ C – Sugar
½ t – Vanilla extract
2 – Eggs
12-15 Pecan halves (optional)
Sauté the apples over medium heat with the lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup in a non-stick pan until the apples are slightly softened - 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside. In a large bowl beat together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs and mix well. First spread the apple mixture onto the pre-baked crust, and then add the cream cheese mixture. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350°. Cool to room temperature and then decorate with pecan halves. Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve.