Apple-of-Your-Eye Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 16 squares)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• TOPPING:
• 2-1/2 cups chopped peeled apples
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping, divided
• Sweetened whipped cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions

• In a bowl, combine the crackers, sugar, pecans and cinnamon; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a lightly greased 9-in. springform pan. Place pan a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Place pan on a wire rack (leave oven on).
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in vanilla. Pour over crust. Toss apples with lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon; spoon over filling. Return pan to baking sheet.
• Bake at for 55-60 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen. Drizzle with 4 tablespoons caramel topping. Cool for 1 hour. Chill overnight.
• Remove sides of pan. Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream. Drizzle with remaining caramel; sprinkle with pecans. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 12 servings.

Apple-of-Your-Eye Cheesecake published in Taste of Home February/March 2000, p29