Gran Pappys Smoked Apple Cheesecake
Serves: 12
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tbsp
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced to form rings (Paula Reds or Granny Smith work well)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Finishing Sauce:
1 tbsp butter
Cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup white sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tbsp cinnamon)
2 tbsp maple syrup
Whipped Topping
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Whipped topping Method:
In a large chilled metal mixing bowl, pour the heavy cream in the bowl and use a stand mixer or hand mixer and start mixing on High.
When the cream achieves soft peaks, slowly add the sugar and vanilla while mixing.
Mix until the whipped cream has stiff peaks. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Method:
Preheat grill for indirect cooking at 350 degrees F. Do not add smoke wood.
In a large, pre-chilled stainless bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake on the grill approximately 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
In a fairly large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar using an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
Combine slices from 3 apples (reserving 4 slices for the finishing sauce), remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Bake 30 minutes on the grill, or until filling is set. You will see it firm up. Remove from grill. Let cool for at least an hour (refrigerate if possible). Do not cut yet.
Now the flip! Place a flat tray on top of cheesecake pan.
Flip over the tray and cheesecake together and place on counter. Peel foil off bottom of cheesecake and flip again to upright. Slice and plate the cheesecake.
For the finishing sauce, in a saucepan heat butter and cinnamon sugar. Place the remaining apple slices flat in pan. Heat both sides of apple, add maple syrup, and heat until warm.
Pour the sweetened apples over the cheesecake and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
Try not to eat all of the dessert!
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