Low-fat Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples

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It’s officially fall in Northern Virginia [to me anyway]. Even though the trees haven’t changed yet and my husband is still wearing shorts and flip flops (to his own insanity, it’s 50 degrees out), I’m grabbing onto fall and never letting go. To celebrate the beautiful morning we’re having here, I’m sharing a quintessential fall dessert, low-fat cheesecake stuffed baked apples.

It can’t be fall without apples, right? Because I’ve been too busy showering pumpkin with all of my love, I’ve sort of forgotten about apples. I mean, I’ve made a few things, like this boozy caramel apple ice cream and this low-fat apple crisp, but other than that, I’ve sadly let them sit on my counter top without a real purpose. That was until I had a mad craving for cheesecake.

I wanted it but also knew if I made an entire cheesecake, my pants would never fit again because I’d eat far more than one piece. Then, as I was staring at the bag o’ apples on my counter, I got the idea. I’ll bake cheesecake INTO AN APPLE!

People bake things into apples all the time, like oatmeal, keen-wah and even savory sausage, so why the heck can’t I bake cheesecake into it? So I did.I made cheesecake and poured it into carved out apples. Then I sat by the stove and waited for them to bake. The smell of cinnamon  and apples baking made me ravenous and eager to gobble them up. I’m pretty sure if you tortured war criminals with the smell of cheesecake baking in apples (without letting them eat it), we’d have world peace in an instant.

Despite a few attempts to reach into the oven and sneak one out, I let them cook and chill. An about two hours of sitting in the fridge, these gorgeous apples were done. Without a plate or a fork, I inhaled one. Out loud I said “holy crap, I’m onto something.” The apple is soft, but still has a bit of a crunch and the cheesecake is spicy and creamy. Paired with a hefty drizzle of light homemade caramel, this dessert is just…perfect.

Sorry pie, you’ve been replaced by the cutest little dessert you ever did see. Oh and these aren’t just cute, they are light as a bird too with just 6 grams of fat per serving!

Gluten-free Cheesecake Stuffed Baked Apples

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS RECIPE!

Serves 6.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 – 32 minutes

Ingredients:  

  • 6 medium apples (I used red)

For the filling:

  • 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup chopped apples
  • Caramel for drizzle* (for a light version, try this recipe)
*optional

Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cut the top off each apple. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the insides of the apples until you’re left with about a 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick shell. Keep apple insides. Place apples in a greased baking dish.
  3. To prepare the filling, beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, vanilla and egg together with a handheld mixer until creamy. Add in cinnamon and apples, stir to combine.
  4. Carefully fill each apple about 2/3 the way full with cheesecake filling. If you have leftover filling, prepare another apple or save for later use. Bake apples for about 25 minutes, or until insides are almost set and apples are beginning to soften. Place in the fridge to chill for at least two – three hours.
  5. One chilled, serve with caramel and enjoy!

Nutritional information per apple (with 3/4 tablespoon light caramel):

Calories: 270.7
Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 49.5
Fiber: 3.5 grams
Protein: 5.3 grams
Weight Watchers Points:  7

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Comments

  1. Posted by Kelly Hunt on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    Ohh I would devour all of those in an instant :)
  2. Posted by jessica lynn on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    Holy cow this looks absolutely amazing. So freaking amazing and I must make it soon.
  3. Posted by Bakeaholic mama on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    Oh WOW!! These look fantastic!
    • Posted by claire on
      Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
      awwww thank you!!
  4. Posted by Brenda@sugarfreemom on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    This looks amazing!!!
  5. Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    Oh my goodness! That looks amazing. I've seen all kinds of baked apples around lately, but none filled with cheesecake. Pure genius!
  6. Posted by Joee on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    I am SOOOO happy I found this! I had this exact idea this morning and decided before I tried (and potentially ruined) $8 worth of Honey Crisp apples, I would see if there is a recipe out there! SO excited to make these!!!
    • Posted by claire on
      Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
      Great minds think alike!! :)
      • Posted by Joee on
        Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
        <3
  7. Posted by The Beeroness on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    What the..What?? I LOVE this!
  8. Posted by kim@hungryhealthygirl on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    What a fancy looking little dessert! I've been all about pumpkin too. I think it's time I buy some apples!
  9. Posted by justonecookbook on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    What a lovely cheesecake! And how cute is that to stuff in baked apple!!! There's always new and fun ideas around and I'm very much inspired!
    • Posted by claire on
      Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
      Thank you!! :)
  10. Posted by Rachel @ Baked by Rachel on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    You've got me wanting to stuff apples! Love the drizzle.
  11. Posted by Julie @ Table for Two on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    i feel like it's WINTER here in NoVA!! it's so freaking cold in the mornings!! haha, these look TO DIE FOR. holy crap.
  12. Posted by Ashley on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    Ok: I want this right now!
  13. Posted by Nikki @Pennies on a Platter on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    Oh my! I knew I loved you at first sight from Taste of MI, but this seals the deal! ;) I can't wait to get home to Mississippi now and bake up a storm with stuffed apples!
  14. Posted by Lizzy Do on
    Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
    Wow, what a wonderful way to get my apple dessert and cheesecake cravings knocked out at once. And a healthier recipe is always welcome...so perfect!
  15. Posted by Tutti Dolci on
    Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
    These apples are brilliant!! Love the idea!
  16. Posted by Alice Choi on
    Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
    OMG, I love this! Brilliant!
  17. Posted by christina on
    Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
    I have to make a vegan version asap! These look ridiculously amazing!
  18. Posted by PB and Peppers on
    Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
    Wow, these apple cheesecakes are so creative and simply adorable!! I love this recipe!!
  19. Posted by Savory Simple on
    Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
    This is such a creative idea! And I love that it's under 300 calories. I've been living in a sweatshirt lately, I think I'd die if I had on shorts.
  20. Posted by amy donovan on
    Thursday, October 11th, 2012
    YUM, these look so delicious. And such a creative idea!
  21. Posted by jkop on
    Thursday, October 11th, 2012
    I definitely plan to make this. Can you make it a day ahead of time?
  22. Posted by Priscilla Gray on
    Wednesday, September 4th, 2013
    I saw your crock pot apple crisp on face book. Then I looked around your blog and found these little tasty treats.
    Here in California (San Francisco bay area) fall is not at all like the east coast. But we do have apples. Love them apples. Your new found friend, Priscilla!
  23. Posted by tami daily on
    Friday, September 13th, 2013
    hi my daughter had this on her face page.do you think thay would be good in a green apple shell i hope.thats what i have been looking for something to do with thim.
    • Posted by cgallam10 on
      Friday, September 13th, 2013
      Absolutely!
  24. Posted by gasilana on
    Friday, September 13th, 2013
    This sounds very yummy...I have to try this...always looking for something to wow my family with at thanksgiving dinner ... this is just the ticket!
  25. Posted by Arnette on
    Sunday, September 22nd, 2013
    I can't wait to make these.I have all the stuff,but no time! well they will have to wait until monday nite after work. Thanks
  26. Posted by Jennifer on
    Sunday, October 13th, 2013
    These look amazing! My hubby is on a low-fat diet, do you think it would be ok to use just the egg white, or an egg substitute?
  27. Posted by Deborah Hollingsworth on
    Monday, November 25th, 2013
    OMG... I saw this and HAD to make them, even though it was 11:00 at night and YES I waited up for them to chill 2 hours and I it was SO WORTH the lost sleep!!!! These are AMAZING!! Thank you so much for sharing... I do have one question though, my cheesecake was much browner than yours , did you put the cinnamon in the mixture or just sprinkle it on top?
  28. Posted by Cassandra on
    Monday, September 29th, 2014
    I'd like to find out more? I'd like to find out more details.
  29. Posted by leah on
    Sunday, October 4th, 2015
    Going to try this, but adding pumpkin to the cheesecake filling. Looks incredible and easy. Thanks!!