The Best Caramel Apple No Bake Cheesecake

The classic flavors of caramel apples and creamy cheesecake are combined to create the perfect fall dessert. With a buttery shortbread crust, a rich cheesecake filling, and cinnamon-spiced apples drizzled with caramel, this delicious treat is full of flavor! Best of all, you don’t need to turn on your oven to make this caramel apple no bake cheesecake.

Table of Contents

• What goes into this recipe
• How to make Caramel Apple No Bake Cheesecake
• Expert Tips
• Storage and Freezing
• Recipe FAQs
• Do you love fall inspired desserts?  Try these recipes…
• The Best Caramel Apple No Bake Cheesecake

For years I have been making Apple Pie Bars and Vanilla Cheesecake for autumn gatherings but not anymore.

Once I discovered just how easy it was to combine both of these desserts with caramel I was hooked and so was my family. Now this easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake is one of my most requested recipes and for good reason.

• This no-bake caramel apple cheesecake recipe doesn’t require you to turn on the oven.
• Using shortbread cookies for the crust is a fun twist that adds a buttery taste.
• The apple topping only takes minutes to make on the stove top but tastes like it took hours.
• You can grab a delicious store bought caramel and save yourself so much time in the kitchen while still getting amazing flavor.

What goes into this recipe

• Cream Cheese: The base of our no-bake cheesecake filling. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Shortbread Cookies: You’ll need about 11.2 ounces of shortbread cookies for the crust. Pulse them in a food processor or crush them in a bag to get fine crumbs. You could also use graham crackers and make graham cracker crumbs instead if you prefer.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This adds sweetness and helps set the cheesecake without baking.
• Apples: One large apple is diced, for the topping. Choose a firm, tart variety like Granny Smith for the best a balanced apple flavor and crunchy texture. If you really want to save yourself more time, use apple pie filling from the grocery store!
• Caramel Topping: You can make a homemade caramel sauce if you’re feeling fancy, but your favorite store-bought caramel sauce will be the perfect easy finishing touch.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to make Caramel Apple No Bake Cheesecake

1. Add the shortbread cookies to a food processor {or to a large zipper bag}. Pulse until you have fine crumbs {or crush using a rolling pin}. Add melted butter and combine until all of the crumbs are coated.  Pour into a springform pan. Press crumbs out into an even layer and compact down.
2. Combine softened cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl with an electric hand mixer {or in the bowl of a stand mixer} until creamy and smooth. Add whipped topping {like Cool Whip} and fold into the mixture gently.  This is what is going to give your cheesecake body.  If you stir it in too fast it might deflate.

3. Pour the cream cheese mixture into your shortbread crust and spread out into an even layer.  I like to use an offset spatula for this job but a rubber spatula will work too.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours {preferably 4-6 hours} before removing the outside ring of your springform pan and placing the cheesecake on a cake plate.
4. For the topping, peel and dice apples into small bite sized pieces. Combine diced apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of cloves into a small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until the apples are tender.

5. Pour the caramel topping over the top of the cheesecake and spread out in an even layer.
6. Top with apple filling around the edge of the cheesecake.

Expert Tips

• Use room temperature cream cheese. Using ingredients that are all room temperature will ensure that you get a smooth and creamy filling free from lumps.
• Substitute a store-bought crust when you’re short on time. Who says you can’t take help from the store?  If you are running low on time, grab a graham cracker crust from the baking section.
• Allow cheesecake to set up properly. Don’t rush this recipe and try to serve it too soon.  It takes time for no bake cheesecakes to be set up correctly.
• Double the apple mixture. If you are a huge apple pie fan then double the apple topping mixture.  Then you can cover the top of the cheesecake and enjoy.
• Transform the recipe into mini cheesecakes.  Divide the crust, cheesecake mixture and topping between 8 mini cheesecake pans {or muffin cups} and everyone can have their own no bake apple caramel cheesecake.

Storage and Freezing

Store: This No Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake needs to be refrigerated. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The apple topping may soften slightly over time, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Freeze: You can freeze this cheesecake for up to 2 months. After it’s fully set, wrap the whole cheesecake {without the apple topping} tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding the fresh apple topping and serving.

Recipe FAQs

Do you love fall inspired desserts?  Try these recipes…

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