Prep

• Preheat oven to 350℉ and lightly grease the sides and bottom of your 13x9 baking dish. Line the baking dish with parchment paper allowing it to overhang the ends. This will make it easier to lift the cheesecake from the baking dish before slicing it to serve.
• Peel, core, and coarsely chop the Granny Smith Apples. Place in an airtight container until ready to use.

Graham Cracker Crusting

• In a medium saucepan, place the butter and melt over low heat. Add graham crackers and sugar to the melted butter and thoroughly mix. Pour the graham cracker mixture into the prepared baking dish and press into an even bottom layer. Set aside.

Cream Cheese Filling

• In a large mixing bowl, add three 8 oz. packages of cream cheese and beat on medium speed until light and creamy. Add 1 cup sugar and continue to beat the cream cheese mixture until creamy, scraping down the sides occasionally. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and the grated lemon zest and thoroughly mix.
• Pour the cheesecake filling into the baking dish and lightly tap the pan on the countertop to remove any air pockets.

Apple Topping

• Take your peeled and chopped apples and place them in a mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup of brown sugar, grated lemon zest, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine thoroughly and set aside for about 5 minutes to let flavors blend well. After 5 minutes, gently spoon the topping onto the cheesecake filling..

Strudel Topping

• Mix light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, and mix together. Grate the 3/4 cup of cold butter (1 & 1/2 sticks) into the mixture. Mix until it looks crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over top of the apples.
• Place in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the filling is set and the topping is golden brown. Once baking is done, remove from the oven and let it cool to room temperature and then place in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes,

Slice & Serve

• Remove cheesecake from the refrigerator. Using parchment paper remove from the baking dish and place on a flat surface. Cut into 16 even serving squares. Drizzle each square with caramel sauce before serving.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases.