Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 F and prepare a 7 or 8-inch cheesecake pan by lightly greasing it with butter.
• Grind the pecans + graham crackers, until almost finely ground. Combine the pecan-graham cracker mixture, 3 tablespoons organic brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 4-5 tablespoons of melted butter in a small bowl and mix with a spatula until well incorporated.
• Add the mixture into the prepared pan and press down into the bottom with your fingers to ensure that it’s perfectly covering the bottom and sides.
• Bake the crust for about 5 minutes and then remove from oven and allow it to cool until you’re ready to use.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together on low speed: 16 ounces cream cheese, ¾ cup organic pure cane sugar, and 4 tablespoons flour until combined.
• Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and the first egg and beat slowly until mostly combined. Then add the remaining egg and mix until well combined, still mixing everything on low speed.
• Now, slowly whisk in ¼ cup heavy whipping cream and continue stirring until well incorporated and sauce has fully thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before using.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan until ¾ filled. Leave a bit of room at the top to prevent the cheesecake from spilling over while baking.
• Bake the cheesecake for 35-40 minutes, then turn off the oven and allow it to sit in the oven for another 5 minutes with the oven door halfway open.
• Remove cheesecake from the oven and allow it to continue to cool for another 15-20 minutes, before putting it in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
• In a large skillet of medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons butter and heat until melted. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cardamom, ground allspice, and sea salt and stir until well combined.
• Add the apples and toss until well coated and cook for 8-10 minutes, until tender and the sauce has thickened.
• Once cheesecake has fully chilled, top with warm caramelized apple spice topping, slice and enjoy.