Autumn Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups thin peeled apple slices
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Combine crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon and butter; press onto bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
3. Combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar, mixing at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Blend in vanilla extract; pour over crust.
6. Toss apples with combined 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon.
7. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer.
8. Sprinkle with pecans.
9. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.

Notes

Variation: Add 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans with crumbs for crust. Continue as directed.