It’s the season of apples. It seems like everyone loves apple pie, apple cider, apple dumplings, caramel apples, etc. I wanted to make a special birthday treat, so I decided on a caramel apple no bake cheesecake. Since it was for a birthday, I wanted it to be special so I decided to do it parfait style….a special dessert for one. A nice jar, filled with layers of cookie crumb crust, cheesecake filling and caramel apple filling. You could very well do this in a pie pan or cake pan, but I like seeing the layers. Oh and this works great with any fruit filling.

You could do several little jars for your holiday desserts and attach a little spoon with some ribbon around the jar. What a sweet little treat for everyone.

Let’s get started.

Caramel Apple No Bake Cheesecake in a Jar
Makes enough for 6 individual desserts

Apple Filling:
2 green apples, sliced or chopped (I leave the skin on for tartness)
1  cup  light brown sugar
2 Tblsp butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tblsp water
4 Tblsp heavy cream

In a sauce pan, stir together the apples, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring it occasionally, until the apples are the consistency you like. Add the heavy cream and continue to cook until it thickens a bit. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. I place it in the refrigerator to cool.

While the apple filling is chilling, prepare the cheesecake filling.

Cheesecake Filling:
2 blocks cream cheese (8 oz) very soft
1/4 cup + 1 Tblsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 Tblsp heavy cream

In a mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese until nice and creamy and smooth. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix well. Add the heavy cream and mix for 1 minute. I fill a piping bag with the filling. It’s much easier to layer this way. If you don’t have a piping bag, just fill a large zip lock bag and cut off one corner of the bag. Squeeze the filling through the hole in the bag.

Crust:
2 cups cookie crumbs (graham crackers, shortbread, etc)
Just take your favorite crunchy cookie and smash the heck out of  them.

Let the layering begin!!!

In a nice glass or jar, start the layering process, starting with the crumbs. Then comes the cheesecake filling and then the fruit. Repeat. Cover and chill.

If you don’t want to mess with all the individual jars, just put it all together in a serving dish…..crust on the bottom, cheesecake filling and then the fruit topping.