SPICED CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE

2 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp sugar

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

11 tbsp butter, melted

3 Gala apples, peeled, cored, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

4 (8-oz each) pkgs cream cheese

4 eggs

 1 tsp vanilla extract

In a pot, mix 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup water. Over medium heat, bring mixture to a boil. Cook, do not stir, until mixture turns caramel color, 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully stir in cream. Let cool.

Heat oven to 325-degrees. Wrap entire outside of a 8-inch x 3-inch springform pan with foil; grease inside of the pan. Mix crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and 4 tablespoons butter. Press into pan. Bake 10 minutes; let cool.

In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add apples and cook, stirring, until tender, 10 minutes. In a bowl, mix 3/4 cup flour, oats, walnuts, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger and 5 tablespoons butter until crumbly; reserve.

On medium speed, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. On low, beat in 1/2 cup caramel, eggs, vanilla, 1/4 cup flour and remaining spices. Pour over crust. Place pan in baking pan on oven rack; fill baking pan with water halfway up the side of springform pan. Bake until center juggles slightly, 1 hour 15 minutes. Add apples and crumb mix. Bake until golden, 45 minutes. Turn off oven. Leave in oven with door closed 1 hour. Transfer from pan to rack; cool. Cover; chill 8 hours. Remove side of pan. Drizzle with some of caramel; serve with remaining caramel.

recipe and photo First for women 2023