Mini Apple Pie Cheesecakes with Brown Sugar Whipped Cream
Mini brown sugar cheesecakes with apple pie topping and a smooth brown sugar whipped cream. The perfect bite size Fall cheesecake recipe.
I had a sad moment this week. My fridge failed me. You see… because we have buttons on the outside of the fridge that allow you to set the temperature of the fridge and freezer, sometimes they get messed up… because sometimes a certain 2 year old decides to play with the buttons. Oh he likes to change the ice method, turn the light on, lock it etc. Basically he just likes pushing the buttons even though he has no idea what he’s doing. Darn musical appliances are too entertaining and irresistible to toddlers. This creates problems as you might have guessed. Freezer temp too cold, fridge temp too cold… this means frozen food. And in the freezer that’s not an issue, obviously, but in the fridge and typically only when placed in very specific locations… well that’s an issue. Frozen lettuce? Not cool. Okay it’s cool but not in the right way. But forget about the frozen lettuce or even frozen cheese. Seriously… this problem is pretty obnoxious sometimes. What’s the worst thing that could freeze in the fridge? Apples! My precious apples!
You’re probably wondering why I keep them in the fridge. I don’t particularly like them cold, but they last longer. So I took over the produce drawer and part of another just for apples. Thankfully, only a handful had issues, but it’s seriously depressing when you know you’ve basically wasted them. Wrinkly sad skin and then when it thawed… brown weirdness. So moral of the story. Either don’t get a fancy fridge with buttons on the outside that are intriguing to toddlers OR don’t put your apples in the fridge and just eat them fast. Because frozen apples aren’t good. Now let’s move on…
Ever since I became basically obsessed with mini cheesecakes, I’ve wanted to make an apple version. These ended up being everything I wanted and more. They’re the perfect Fall cheesecake, next to pumpkin (obviously) because we know the divide is great between which rules Fall (apple or pumpkin). I love both, but I’ve only devoted a month to one of them so clearly I sway more one way than the other. Okay I sway way more to one side.
Picture cheesecake and apple pie had a baby. It’s like that only better. Brown sugar cheesecake with an apple pie topping, finished off with homemade brown sugar whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon. You need these mini apple pie cheesecakes in your life. Trust me.
Mini Apple Pie Cheesecakes with Brown Sugar Whipped Cream
Ingredients
Crust:
- 3/4 C graham cracker crumbs, 6 sheets
- 1/2 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 C light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 Tbsp sour cream
Topping:
- 1 C apple, chopped (roughly 1 medium apple)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 C light brown sugar
- 1/4 C all purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Whipped cream:
- 1/2 C heavy cream
- 2 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a mini cheesecake pan.
- In a food processor, process graham crackers until only fine crumbs remain. Add sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix until combined. Using a small cookie scoop, add one scoop of graham crumb mixture to each cheesecake pan cavity. Press down to create a flat and even layer. Bake for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat cream cheese with brown sugar. Mix in remaining ingredients until just combined and no longer lumpy. Add one heaping medium cookie scoop of batter to each cavity. Set aside.
- Prepare topping. Peel, core and chop apples into 1/4-inch pieces. Toss with remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. To each uncooked cheesecake, add 1 Tbsp apple mixture, gently pressing into the top of batter to create and even layer. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until just set.
- Cool at room temperature in pan for 1-2 hours. Chill in pan until completely cooled, several hours or overnight.
- When cheesecakes are completely cooled, carefully remove from pan. Remove bottom disc from the crust of each cheesecake.
- Prepare whipped cream. In a small bowl, beat heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add brown sugar and vanilla. Continue mixing until stiff peaks form. Pipe or dollop onto each cheesecake prior to serving. Sprinkle lightly with a dusting of cinnamon.
- Store cheesecakes in the refrigerator.
Notes
***GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Giveaway details
Courtesy of Le Creuset, two winners will receive one pie dish and one pie bird in the winner’s choice of color. *Color subject to availability.
Giveaway will run from September 21, 2013 – September 27, 2013. Winner must be at least 18 years old and a US resident. Winner will be randomly selected and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Main entry must be completed or extra entries will not count.
Disclaimer: I asked Le Creuset to be a sponsor of An Apple A Day. This post contains affiliate links.
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My favorite pie is Buttermilk Pie, but only fresh from the oven.
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Love these little cheesecakes. The apples on top with the whipped cream….Yum!! Sharing these on my FB page later this week.
Pumpkin pie is my favorite! Not only is it yummy, but I love how it makes me think of fall, Thanksgiving, and comfort foods
Boston creme pie! Does that count?
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My favorite pie is lemon meringue!
I subscribed to your feed via email. Thanks for the giveaway!
My favorite pie is Apple!
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Ooh, my favorite pie is pecan pie…it reminds me of helping my mom, sister, and grandma in the kitchen during the holidays. :)
I absolutely love hot apple pie with vanilla ice cream. It’s the best!
WOW, I REALLY REALLY want to make these but I do not have a mini cheesecake pan…is it possible you could convert this recipe into one made in a 9″ springform pan? I would have NO idea where to start :-(
Because this was specifically written for mini cheesecakes it would not work as a 9″ cheesecake. The amounts would vary greatly from what is listed. However, I did link to the pan used in the recipe so that those interested may purchase it. :) Alternately you may attempt using a muffin pan but you would need to use liners and the overall size would be different than shown here.
Thanks for the SUPER fast reply, you’re awesome!! I soooo want to make these that I’m walking out the door right now to drive 27.6 miles to buy the pan, lol.
Enjoy the pan! It’s a lot of fun.
I love strawberry rhubarb pie! But apple pie it is these coming weeks, as we have a surplus from our apple picking day trip. :) Thanks for the chance to win!
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FAVORITE pie would Double Lemon Cream! Second favorite would be Dutch Apple pie.
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My favorite pie is apple and rhubarb.
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they sound yummy!
My favorite pie is Banana Creme.
I love fresh blueberry pie.
Oh my, these mini pies look lovely :) my favorite pie is a toss up between pumpkin and apple!
I love squash – probably because I only make it once a year. Apple is a close second
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