Yummy! - Bring On That Apple Cheesecake

 Anyone that knows me, knows that I don't eat much sweets. I am a fruit love though. That is except when it comes to CHEESECAKE! I love Cheesecake. I think whoever thought up cheesecake must have known me! This is a great cheesecake it has the wonderful fall flavor of apple pie in a cheesecake. Now that is right up my alley. I think you will love this cheesecake. Let me know what you think of it. I make it in a 9X 13 inch pan instead of the springform pan that the rcipe calls for and reduce the baking time. It is so easy.

Apple Cheesecake

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
3 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups apples - thinly sliced
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon apple pie spice

1/4 cup chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and melted butter; press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix at medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour filling into the baked crust. In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice.

Toss the spice & sugar mixture with the apples to coat them well. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped nuts. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes. With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan.

. Chill cake before serving.