Caramel-Apple-Walnut Cheesecake

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper, then close the ring around it for each removal of the cheesecake after baking.

2. Step 2

   Place walnuts in a bowl and drizzle melted butter on top. Toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves on top and toss nut topping well.

3. Step 3

   Place sliced apples in a bowl, add lemon juice, and toss well. Add cinnamon and cloves and toss apple topping. Set both toppings aside.

4. Step 4

   Mix flour, sugar, chopped pecans, and lemon peel together in a bowl until well combined. Cut in butter slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix well. Press crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared springform pan.

5. Step 5

   Bake in the preheated oven until edges are lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool crust on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

6. Step 6

   Place cream cheese in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add sugar slowly, 1/4 cup at a time, mixing well to ensure it is dissolved after each addition. Add flour, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt.

7. Step 7

   Combine egg and egg yolks in a bowl and add to cream cheese mixture. Beat in heavy cream and whip on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into the cooled crust and decorate with the cinnamon apples. Sprinkle just some of the nut topping on top.

8. Step 8

   Fill a 9x13-inch baking pan with water and place on the bottom rack of the hot oven.

9. Step 9

   Bake the cheesecake on the middle rack of the hot oven until set, about 80 minutes.

10. Step 10

    Turn oven off and let cheesecake sit, untouched, for 1 hour to finish cooking throughout.

11. Step 11

    Cool on a wire rack until room temperature, about 1 hour. Place cheesecake in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.

12. Step 12

    Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen chilled cheesecake. Remove sides of pan.

13. Step 13

    Crush remaining nut topping into a crumble and use to decorate around the sides of the cheesecake.

14. Step 14

    Melt caramel topping in a microwave oven for 30 seconds at a time until pourable. Drizzle on top of cheesecake and top with more walnuts, if desired.