Autumn Cheesecake

Apple and pecan-topped cheesecake with a cinnamon graham cracker crust.

Recipe Ingredients:

Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Cheesecake:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups apples, sliced
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. For Crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon and melted butter; press onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
3. For Cheesecake: Combine softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar; mixing at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla and pour over the crust.
4. Toss thinly sliced apples with the 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon. Pour the apple mixture over the cream cheese layer and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Loosen the cake from the rim of the pan; cool before removing from the pan. Chill.

Makes 12 servings.