Magic Italian Apple Pie Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe You’ll Adore

My grandmother’s secret apple pie italian ricotta cheesecake always brings smiles around our kitchen table.

Creamy ricotta creates a dreamy texture that melts instantly on your tongue.

Soft apples nestle between layers of silky goodness, promising delectable bites packed with comfort.

Sweet memories bloom with each slice, connecting generations through simple ingredients.

Cinnamon whispers warmth through delicate pastry, inviting you closer to this rustic dessert.

Comfort flows from oven-fresh moments that celebrate tradition and pure culinary joy.

Slice into this dreamy creation and let deliciousness tell its own delightful story.

Ricotta Cheesecake That Stores Like A Dream

• Store the cheesecake in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual slices or the whole cheesecake in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 1-2 months. Place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Transfer frozen cheesecake to the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight. Remove wrapping and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or use the oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain the creamy texture and prevent drying out.

Great Sides For Ricotta Cheesecake

• Pair with Sweet Dessert Wine: Complement the rich, creamy cheesecake with a chilled glass of Moscato d'Asti, offering light, sweet notes that dance perfectly with the apple and cinnamon flavors.
• Create Caramel Espresso Companion: Serve a small shot of espresso with a drizzle of caramel sauce alongside the cheesecake, cutting through the richness while enhancing the dessert's warm, cozy profile.
• Elevate with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Craft a delicate cinnamon-infused whipped cream by whisking heavy cream with a touch of ground cinnamon, providing a light, airy contrast to the dense cheesecake texture.
• Refresh with Sparkling Apple Spritzer: Mix crisp apple juice with sparkling water and a hint of cinnamon, creating a non-alcoholic beverage that echoes the apple elements in the dessert while cleansing the palate.

Apple Cheesecake Filling Switches

• Gluten-Free Variation: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for the crust and crumb topping. Use gluten-free graham crackers or gluten-free cookie crumbs to ensure celiac-friendly preparation.
• Vegan Cheesecake Twist: Substitute ricotta and cream cheese with cashew-based cheese alternatives. Use silken tofu or aquafaba instead of eggs, and coconut cream in place of sour cream for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Option: Replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use less sugar in apple topping and cheesecake filling, focusing on natural apple sweetness and cinnamon flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Create a nut-based crust using ground almonds or pecans. Replace sugar with erythritol, use full-fat cream cheese, and limit apple quantity to reduce carbohydrate content.

FAQs

• Is this an authentic Italian dessert?

This recipe is an American-style cheesecake with Italian influences, featuring ricotta cheese which is a traditional Italian ingredient commonly used in desserts.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Ricotta is key for the texture, but you can substitute part-skim ricotta or try a blend with mascarpone for a richer flavor profile.

• How do I know when the cheesecake is perfectly baked?

The center should be slightly jiggly but set, similar to a soft pudding consistency. If it wobbles too much, it needs more baking time.

• Why roast the apples before adding them to the cheesecake?

Roasting concentrates the apple’s natural sweetness, caramelizes their sugars, and removes excess moisture, preventing a soggy cheesecake base.

Apple Pie Italian Ricotta Cheesecake: Two Desserts Become One

• Savor Simplicity: Craft a restaurant-quality dessert without professional training, making complex flavors accessible for home bakers with basic kitchen skills.
• Multistage Flavor Explosion: Layer roasted apples, creamy ricotta filling, and crumbly topping create an incredible taste journey.
• Weekend Wow Factor: Perfect for impressing family and friends during weekend gatherings, this cheesecake delivers sophisticated flavors without requiring advanced culinary techniques, making you look like a baking pro.

What Builds Apple Pie Ricotta Cheesecake

• Graham Crackers, Butter: A crunchy and rich base for the cheesecake, providing a classic texture and buttery flavor. Choose unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.

• Ricotta Cheese, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream: Creamy and tangy base that creates a smooth, luxurious cheesecake texture. Full-fat versions recommended for best results.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps set the cheesecake and provides structure. Fresh eggs work best.
• Sugar, Flour, Vanilla: Essential for sweetness, thickening, and flavor enhancement.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps blend ingredients smoothly.

• Apples, Sugar, Cinnamon, Water: Provides sweet and spicy fruit layer with juicy texture. Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall flavor profile.

Baking Method for Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

Step 1: Prepare Crust and Roasted Apples

Crush graham crackers and mix with melted butter.

Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a springform pan.

• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Water

Spread apples on a baking pan and roast until soft and juicy.

Let cool completely.

Step 2: Create Cheesecake Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Flour
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Blend until super smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Cheesecake

Pour half the cheesecake filling into the prepared crust.

Sprinkle roasted apples and some crumb mixture over the layer.

Add remaining cheesecake filling on top.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake in the oven until the center is set but slightly wobbly.

Turn off the oven and leave the door slightly open.

Let the cheesecake cool slowly for 20 minutes.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Cook remaining apples in a saucepan with sugar, cinnamon, and water until soft.

Top the chilled cheesecake with cooked apples and remaining crumb mixture.

Slice and serve chilled.

Ricotta Cheesecake Tips Worth Knowing

• Select firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and flavor balance in your cheesecake.
• Allow roasted apples to cool completely before adding to the cheesecake to prevent excess liquid from making the crust soggy.
• Bake the cheesecake in a water bath or with the oven door slightly open to maintain consistent, gentle heat and prevent surface cracks.
• Toast graham cracker crumbs briefly before creating the crust to develop a richer, nuttier undertone in the base.
• Let the cheesecake rest in the refrigerator overnight for the most stable texture and fully developed flavor profile.

Apple Pie Italian Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Creamy Italian ricotta cheesecake elevates classic apple pie with Mediterranean charm. Sweet, tangy layers meld traditional flavors, inviting dessert enthusiasts to savor each luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

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Apples:

• 8 apples, ripe (sliced)
• 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) granulated cane sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Cheesecake Filling:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) whole milk ricotta
• 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese
• 12 ounces (340 grams) sour cream
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated cane sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (63 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Crust and Crumb Ingredients:

• 2 packages graham crackers
• 1/2 cup (114 grams) melted butter
• 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Create a crumbly mixture by combining flour, brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt. Distribute half of this mixture on one side of the baking pan.
3. Toss sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and water, then spread them on the opposite side of the pan.
4. Roast the ingredients for 15-20 minutes until the apples become juicy. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
5. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and grease a springform pan.
6. Crush graham crackers and mix with melted butter to create a crumbly crust. Press the mixture evenly along the bottom and sides of the pan.
7. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and let it cool.
8. Blend ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, eggs, flour, melted butter, and vanilla until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
9. Pour half of the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust.
10. Arrange roasted apples across the filling and sprinkle half of the crumb topping.
11. Carefully spoon the remaining cheesecake filling over the apple layer.
12. Bake for 45-60 minutes until the center sets but maintains a slight jiggle.
13. Allow the cheesecake to cool inside the oven with the door slightly ajar for 20 minutes.
14. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2-4 hours, preferably overnight.
15. Prepare a sauce by cooking the remaining apples with sugar, cinnamon, and water in a saucepan until tender and juicy.
16. Garnish the chilled cheesecake with the apple sauce and remaining crumb topping.
17. Slice and serve the decadent dessert.

Notes

• Choose room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling and perfect texture.
• Avoid overmixing the cheesecake batter to prevent air bubbles and cracking during baking.
• Use a water bath or place a pan of water in the oven to create humidity and prevent surface cracking.
• Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg