You'll love how this recipe for Apple Danish Cheesecake combines all the flavors you'd expect from an apple pie with a creamy cheesecake filling layerd over a nutty crust.
COOK + BAKE | Updated September 12, 2023
If you love apples and you love cheesecake, then this recipe for Apple Danish Cheesecake is for you.
It is quite possibly the most delicious dessert you can make this fall and is one of the easiest cheesecakes there is to create.
Layers of fresh apple, creamy cheesecake filling, and a nutty crust combine to form a flavorful treat for fall or anytime of the year. Let me show you how to make it.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
MAKES A NICE PRESENTATION
This Apple Danish Cheesecake is considered a layered dessert with a nutty crust, a thin layer of smooth cheesecake filling, and fresh apples and walnuts on top. It makes a really lovely presentation when you cut into it to serve and isn't an overwhelming large slice of dessert to eat after a meal.
NO WATER BATH NECESSARY
My least favorite part of any cheesecake recipe is baking it in a water bath to ensure the cream cheese filling is cooked through. No matter how much foil I wrap around the pan, water always seems to somehow creep in.
Not necessary with this particular recipe, however. The cream of tartar that is mixed in works to thicken the cheesecake filing as it cooks, eliminating the need for the dreaded water bath.
DELICIOUS TASTE
You obviously want any dessert recipe you make to be delicious, and this one should not disappoint. Between the freshly sliced apples, creamy cheesecake filing, and almond walnut crust, you'll be savoring slice after slice of this delectable dessert.
UNIQUE CRUST
Most cheesecake recipes use a graham cracker crust. But the crust of this Apple Danish Cheesecake only further enhances the flavor. It is made using chopped walnuts and almond extract giving it a special nutty flavor and texture that you don't often find paired with the creamy filing.
What You'll Need
For your convenience, a full ingredients list, directions for making Apple Danish Cheesecake, and a printable recipe option appear further down in this article. Here is a brief overview of what you'll be needing.
- all-purpose flour
- walnuts - Some finely chopped for the crust, and more coarsely chopped for mixing in with the apple topping. Feel free to substitute almonds if you want just one nut flavor.
- granulated sugar
- butter - cold from the fridge and cut into small chunks
- almond extract
- cream cheese softened
- cream of tartar - used to thicken the cheesecake filling
- large egg
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- apples - ideally you want something tart like Granny Smith, McIntosh, or Cortland, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand. Right now, I am using Red Delicious.
How to Make Apple Cheesecake
Now I'll walk you through the steps for making Apple Danish Cheesecake.
TO MAKE THE CRUST
- Mix the flour, finely chopped walnuts, and granulated sugar together. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly. Add the almond extract.
- Pour everything into a greased 9-inch springform pan. Press the ingredients down evenly into the pan and about a half inch up the sides to form your crust.
- Refrigerate the crust for about 30 minutes.
TO MAKE THE FILLING
Beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and cream of tartar with a hand mixer until smooth. Then add the egg and beat on low just until mixed. Pour this filling over the prepared crust and smooth with a silicone spatula.
TO MAKE THE TOPPING
Mix the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the apples and toss until completely coated. Layer the apples over the filling and then sprinkle with the coarsely chopped walnuts.
BAKING THE CHEESECAKE
Bake the cheesecake at 350°F in the lower third of your oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until it is golden brown.
Cool the cheesecake in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then carefully run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the crust. Cool one more hour and then refrigerate overnight.
Do not remove the sides of the pan until you are ready to cut into the cheesecake.
APPLE DANISH CHEESECAKE
You'll love how this recipe combines all the flavors you'd expect from an apple pie with a creamy cheesecake filling layered over a nutty crust.
Makes 6 - 8 servings
CRUST INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup all-purpose
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
FILLING INGREDIENTS
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
TOPPING INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups peeled, thinly sliced tart apples
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: To Make the Crust - Mix the flour, walnuts, and sugar together. Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Add the almond extract. Pour everything into a greased 9-inch springform pan. Press the ingredients down evenly over the bottom and a half inch up the sides to form the crust. Refrigerate about 30 minutes.
STEP 2: To Make the Filling - Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and cream of tartar until smooth. Add the egg and beat on low until mixed. Pour over crust.
STEP 3: To Make the Topping - Mix the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Toss the apples until coated. Spoon over filling and sprinkle with walnuts.
STEP 4: Bake the cheesecake at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes. Allow it to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the crust to loosen. Cool one hour longer and then place into the refrigerator overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN YOU DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF FILLING
This recipe makes a thin layer of creamy cheesecake filling to pair with the apple topping. While I've never doubled the recipe, I don't see why this wouldn't be possible if you want more of the cheesecake layer. You'll just want to lengthen the baking time to ensure that it is cooked through.
HOW LONG DOES THE CHEESECAKE LAST
This dessert is best eaten within 3 to 4 days after baking. Store it in an airtight container or cover with foil or plastic wrap.
You can also freeze cheesecake by wrapping it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and placing it inside a heavy duty freezer bag or airtight container for up to three months.
CAN YOU SUBSTITUTE THE WALNUTS
If you don't like the idea of having the two different nut flavors in the recipe, feel free to substitute an equal amount of almonds. Grind them finely for the crust and use slivered for the topping.
Enjoy this Apple Danish Cheesecake made with freshly picked fruit in the fall or make it year round to enjoy with a cup of coffee for dessert.
Other Apple Recipes You Might Enjoy Making
APPLE CIDER POUND CAKE
RUSTIC APPLE CRANBERRY PIE - A mix of tart apples and cranberries layered over a delicious pastry cream in a rustic crust.
APPLE MUFFINS WITH CRUMB TOPPING - Topped with a crispy seasoned apple chip.
OATMEAL APPLESAUCE COOKIES WITH GOLDEN RAISINS - An apple twist to your traditional oatmeal raisin cookie.
APPLE BUTTER PIE - An apple flavored alternative to your basic pumpkin custard pie.
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