Description

Apple Butter Cheesecake is a luscious no-bake dessert featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust and a silky cream cheese filling swirled with flavorful apple butter. This easy-to-make cheesecake requires no oven time and is perfect to prepare ahead for any occasion, delivering a delightful blend of creamy and fruity flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

2 cups (204 g) graham cracker crumbs (approximately 12–13 full sheets, crushed)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted

Filling

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
2 cups (476 g) heavy cream
¾ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup (120 g) apple butter

Instructions

Prepare the Pan: Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the crust from sticking.
Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon. Pour in the melted butter and mix thoroughly with a fork until every crumb is coated, ensuring the crust will hold together well.
Form the Crust: Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared springform pan using your hand or the bottom of a glass. Chill the crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
Beat Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand-held mixer on medium speed to beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Add Cream and Lemon: Incorporate the heavy cream and fresh lemon juice into the cream cheese mixture, beating for 1 to 2 minutes until the filling becomes light and fluffy.
Assemble Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake filling into the chilled crust, spreading it evenly.
Swirl Apple Butter: Add generous dollops of apple butter on top of the filling. With a knife or offset spatula, gently swirl the apple butter through the cheesecake filling without scraping the crust to create a marbled effect.
Chill to Set: Refrigerate the assembled cheesecake for at least 6 hours, or up to overnight, until the filling is firm and fully set before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, use full graham cracker sheets and crush them yourself for optimal flavor and texture.
Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth filling.
Apple butter can be homemade or store-bought; the homemade variety enhances flavor.
Make the cheesecake ahead of time since it needs a minimum of 6 hours chilling; it’s a perfect make-ahead dessert.
Store leftover cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze, chill uncovered in freezer for about 1 hour, then remove from pan, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze up to 6 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Apple Butter Cheesecake, No-Bake Cheesecake, Cream Cheese Dessert, Graham Cracker Crust, Apple Butter Swirl