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Apple Cider Cheesecake Recipe

Apple Cider Cheesecake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 5 reviews

This Apple Cider Cheesecake combines the warm, tangy flavors of reduced apple cider and cozy mulling spices with a creamy, rich cheesecake filling atop a buttery, crumbly digestive cookie crust. Perfect for fall gatherings, this dessert blends the tartness of honeycrisp apple cider with cinnamon-infused sweetness and a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

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 (preferably honeycrisp for tartness)
  • Mulling spices (such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and star anise) to taste

Cheesecake Filling

  • 3 cream cheese bricks (227g each), softened at room temperature
  • 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: Pour 3 cups of fresh apple cider along with mulling spices into a large pot and boil on high for about 1 hour, or until the cider thickens into a syrup and reduces to approximately ⅓ cup. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely.
  2. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the crust.
  3. Prepare the crust: Using a food processor, pulse digestive cookies until finely ground. Add melted butter, salt, and powdered sugar, then pulse again until the mixture forms moist crumbs.
  4. Form and bake crust: Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8-inch round springform pan lined with foil or into an 8-inch wide, 3-inch high cake pan greased and lined with parchment paper. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and let it cool before chilling in the fridge.
  5. Lower oven temperature: Reduce oven heat to 325°F (160°C) for baking the cheesecake filling.
  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. Scrape the sides as needed to ensure uniform texture.
  7. Add flavorings and sour cream: Add sour cream, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, and the cooled reduced apple cider to the cream cheese mixture. Beat thoroughly to achieve a creamy, smooth batter.
  8. Incorporate eggs and flour: Add eggs one at a time along with the flour, mixing just until combined to avoid overbeating.
  9. Set up water bath: Place the cheesecake pan inside a 13×9-inch baking pan and fill the larger pan with hot water halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan to ensure even baking and prevent cracking.
  10. Pour filling and bake: Pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust and bake for at least 90 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly wobbly when gently shaken.
  11. Cool cheesecake in oven with door ajar: Turn off the oven, crack the door open using a wooden spoon wedge, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 30 minutes to stabilize.
  12. Further cooling: Close the oven door and continue cooling the cheesecake inside for an additional 15 minutes.
  13. Final cooling and chilling: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely on the countertop. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight before serving for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Using honeycrisp apple cider adds a tart flavor that complements the sweetness of the cheesecake.
  • The water bath helps to prevent cracks by providing gentle, even heat.
  • Make sure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the batter.
  • Do not overbeat after adding eggs to maintain a creamy texture.
  • Chilling the cheesecake thoroughly after baking improves slicing and flavor melding.
  • Mulling spices can be adjusted according to preference; common spices include cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and star anise.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cheesecake, fall dessert, creamy cheesecake, mulling spices, holiday dessert, baked cheesecake

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