Cheesecake Filled Apple Cake Recipe

Easy Cheesecake Filled Apple Cake Recipe: A Sweet Fall Delight

In the world of desserts, cheesecake filled apple cake stands as a remarkable fusion of classic flavors and innovative baking.

Warm spices and creamy elements dance together, creating a mouthwatering harmony that elevates ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Soft apple chunks nestle perfectly within a tender crumb, promising a delightful texture in every forkful.

Each slice reveals a luxurious cream cheese center that surprises and delights the palate with its unexpected richness.

The combination of fruit, spice, and smooth filling elevates this cake beyond traditional expectations, making it a showstopper at any gathering.

Rustic yet elegant, this dessert speaks to comfort and creativity in equal measure.

Prepare to fall in love with a slice that blends tradition and innovation.

Pro Tips for Balance Between Tart and Creamy

  • Cream Cheese Consistency: Beat cream cheese mixture at medium speed until silky smooth, avoiding overmixing to prevent texture changes.
  • Apple Selection: Choose firm, tart baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best flavor and structural integrity in the cake.
  • Pan Preparation: Thoroughly grease and flour Bundt pan, ensuring every crevice is covered to prevent sticking and easy cake release.
  • Layer Carefully: When adding cream cheese filling, create distinct layers by spooning slowly and leaving a small border around pan edges for even distribution.
  • Moisture Control: Use unsweetened applesauce to add moisture without making cake too wet, helping maintain perfect texture and preventing dense results.

Keeping Each Bite Fresh From Oven to Table

  • Refrigeration: Wrap the cheesecake-filled apple cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment helps preserve the cake's moisture and prevents bacterial growth.
  • Freezing: Slice the cake before freezing for easier portioning. Place individual slices in freezer-safe containers or wrap them securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen cake can maintain its quality for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Reheating: Restore the cake's delightful texture by warming individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Pairings That Complement Every Layer

  • Pair with Warm Spiced Cider: A steaming mug of homemade apple cider with cinnamon sticks and cloves perfectly complements the cake's warm spices and sweet apple flavor.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the cake's rich, warm texture, creating a heavenly dessert experience.
  • Enjoy with Caramel Macchiato: The coffee's espresso notes and sweet caramel undertones beautifully highlight the cake's deep, complex flavors and creamy cheesecake filling.
  • Serve alongside Toasted Pecan Butter: A dollop of homemade pecan butter echoes the cake's nutty elements and adds an extra layer of indulgent richness to each bite.

Variations for a Fresh Take on Fall Baking

  • Rustic Caramel Apple Cake: Replace some applesauce with caramel sauce, add extra cinnamon, and sprinkle sea salt on top for a rich, deep flavor profile that enhances the apple notes.
  • Nutty Maple Spin: Swap regular sugar with maple syrup, increase pecan quantity, and add a maple glaze instead of traditional frosting to create a woodsy, autumnal dessert.
  • Berry Cheesecake Fusion: Incorporate fresh raspberries or blueberries into the apple batter, using slightly less chopped apples to balance the fruity undertones and create a vibrant color contrast.
  • Spiced Rum Infusion: Add a splash of dark rum to the cream cheese mixture, replace some oil with butter, and increase warm spices like nutmeg and allspice for a more complex, adult-friendly version of the cake.

Why This Cake Is Two Desserts in One

  • Savor Layered Delights: This cake offers a spectacular blend of creamy cheesecake and spiced apple cake, creating multiple flavor and texture experiences in every single bite.
  • Master Complex Baking Technique: The recipe challenges home bakers with its intricate layering method, requiring careful placement of cream cheese mixture between apple cake layers, resulting in a stunning and professional-looking dessert.
  • Celebrate Seasonal Comfort: Packed with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, this cake brings cozy autumn flavors that make it perfect for holiday gatherings, family dinners, or weekend treat moments.
  • Indulge Decadent Textures: Combining smooth cream cheese filling, moist apple chunks, and crunchy pecans, the cake delivers a delightful contrast of soft and crisp textures that dance on your palate with each forkful.

The Ingredients Behind the Apple Meets Cheesecake Bliss

Main Ingredients for Cake Batter:
  • Flour: Provides structure and texture to the cake base.
  • White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps in caramelization.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides moisture and richness.
  • Oil, Applesauce: Ensures cake remains moist and tender.
  • Chopped Apples: Adds natural sweetness and fruity texture.
  • Pecans: Introduces crunch and nutty flavor to the cake.
Spice Ingredients:
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice: Creates warm, aromatic depth and complementary flavor profile.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances overall taste of the cake.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and become light and fluffy.
Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, tangy base for filling.
  • Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake mixture.
  • Egg: Helps bind and set the filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds classic, sweet flavor enhancement.
Frosting Ingredients:
  • Brown Sugar: Creates deep, caramel-like sweetness.
  • Butter, Milk: Forms smooth, creamy glaze base.
  • Confectioners Sugar: Provides silky, thick frosting consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavoring.
  • Walnuts or Pecans (Optional): Offers optional crunchy garnish.

How to Bake Layers That Stay Soft and Smooth

Step 1: Prepare Cream Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, and sugar using medium speed until smooth. Add egg, flour, and vanilla; mix until just combined.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Equipment

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 14-cup Bundt pan thoroughly.

Step 3: Create Apple Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients:
  • Flour
  • White sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice
Mix in eggs, oil, and applesauce until fully incorporated. Gently fold in:
  • Chopped apples
  • Pecans

Step 4: Layer the Cake Batter

Pour about 2/3 of apple batter into prepared Bundt pan. Carefully spread cream cheese mixture on top, leaving a 1-inch gap around edges. Cover with remaining apple batter.

Step 5: Remove Air Bubbles

Tap filled Bundt pan against countertop several times to release trapped air bubbles.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Bake for 1 to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15-20 minutes before removing.

Step 7: Create Glaze

In a small saucepan, combine:
  • Brown sugar
  • Butter
  • Milk

Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat when boiling. Stir in vanilla extract. Gradually mix in confectioners’ sugar until smooth.

Step 8: Finish and Decorate

Drizzle warm glaze over cooled cake. Optional: Sprinkle with walnuts or pecans.

Step 9: Store and Serve

Refrigerate leftover cake. Allow to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to enhance flavors.

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Cheesecake Filled Apple Cake Recipe

Cheesecake Filled Apple Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Creamy cheesecake meets classic apple cake in this irresistible autumn dessert. Warm spices and rich cream cheese swirl together, creating a dessert that brings comfort and joy to any gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Fruits and Vegetables:

  • 3 cups (about 1 ¼ pounds / 567 grams) peeled and finely chopped apples (such as Fuji)
  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters / 2 fluid ounces) unsweetened applesauce

Dry Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (360 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (220 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (100 grams) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup (100 grams) finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Wet Ingredients and Dairy:

  • 3 large eggs (lightly beaten)
  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters / 2 fluid ounces) canola oil
  • 1 package (8 ounces / 226 grams) regular or light cream cheese (softened)
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) butter (4 tablespoons, softened)
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (110 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 4 tabl

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cream cheese filling by blending cream cheese, butter, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer at medium speed until silky smooth. Incorporate egg, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract, mixing just until ingredients are evenly combined.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Thoroughly grease a 14-cup (3.3 liters) Bundt pan, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
  3. Create the apple cake batter by whisking together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, vegetable oil, and applesauce, stirring until ingredients are fully integrated.
  4. Fold chopped apples and pecans into the cake batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
  5. Transfer approximately two-thirds of the apple cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom surface.
  6. Carefully spoon the cream cheese filling over the initial cake layer, leaving a one-inch border around the pan’s edges to prevent overflow.
  7. Cover the cream cheese layer with the remaining apple cake batter, ensuring complete coverage and a smooth top.
  8. Gently tap the filled Bundt pan against the countertop to eliminate any trapped air bubbles within the layers.
  9. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 75 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the cake is fully baked.
  10. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool inside the pan on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes.
  11. Carefully remove the cake from the Bundt pan and transfer to the wire rack to cool completely.
  12. Prepare the glaze by combining brown sugar, butter, and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture approaches a boil.
  13. Remove the pan from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Gradually incorporate confectioners’ sugar, whisking until the glaze reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
  14. Drizzle the warm glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to naturally cascade down the sides.
  15. Optional: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the glaze for added texture and visual appeal.
  16. Store leftover cake slices in the refrigerator. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for a few minutes to enhance flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Elevate your baking game with this irresistible cheesecake-filled apple cake that combines creamy richness with warm autumn spices.
  • Perfectly balanced layers of tender apple cake and silky cream cheese create a luxurious dessert that’s both impressive and comforting.
  • Achieve bakery-quality results by carefully layering batters and allowing each component to shine through in every delectable bite.
  • Master the art of creating smooth cream cheese filling that nestles beautifully between spiced apple cake layers without sinking or separating.
  • Enhance flavor complexity by incorporating a variety of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice that complement the sweet apple and tangy cream cheese.
  • Store cake strategically to maintain its incredible texture, letting slices come to room temperature to unlock maximum flavor potential.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking, Boiling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 785 kcal
  • Sugar: 54 g
  • Sodium: 466 mg
  • Fat: 42 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 92 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 123 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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