Apple Cardamom Cheesecake

This is a spectacular cheesecake with a hidden surprise of glazed apples accented with cardamom. So very tasty!!

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• CRUST

• 1 1⁄2 cups  graham wafer crumbs
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 teaspoon cardamom, ground

• GLAZED APPLES

• 4  medium apples, peeled and cored (about 2 lbs)
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 3⁄4 teaspoon cardamom, ground

• FILLING

• 2 (250 g) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 2  teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  grated lemon peel
• 4  eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F
2. CRUST: Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Press firmly onto bottom and 1-inch up sides of 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
3. GLAZED APPLES: Cut apples into thin slices (about 1/4-inch thick). Add remaining ingredients to apples in large skillet. Cook on medium heat 5-10 minutes or until apples begin to caramelize, turning frequently. Arrange apples on bottom of crust.
4. FILLING: Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar, vanilla and lemon peel. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended. Spoon evenly over apples.
5. Bake 60-70 minutes or until center is almost set. Turn oven off and allow cheesecake to cool in oven 1 hour with door slightly ajar. Run small knife or metal spatula around rim of pan or loosen cheesecake. Cool in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.