Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Dear readers, I feel I must explain my long absence. It is with an extremely heavy heart and tears rolling down my cheeks, that I have to tell you that we lost an amazing man, and my Earthly anchor, Alan George Hipps July 23rd. He was a HUGE fan of my blog, and this first entry back is dedicated to him!

And, OBTW, this recipe won the Grand Prize in an apple contest. "With caramel both on the bottom and over the top, this cheesecake is ooey-gooey good."
(12 servings)

1&1/2 cups cinnamon graham crackers crumbs (about 8 whole crackers)
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 package (14 oz.) caramels
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup chopped pecans, divided
2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
2 T. all-purpose flour, divided
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1&1/2 cups chopped peeled Granny Smith* apples
1/2 t. ground cinnamon

Place a greased 9" springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18" square). Securely wrap foil around pan. In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1" up the sides of prepared pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 mins. or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. In a heavy saucepan over med.-low heat, cook and stir caramels and milk until melted and smooth. Pour 1 cup over crust; sprinkle with 1/4 cup pecans. Set remaining caramel mixture aside. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, 1 T. flour and remaining sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Combine the apples, cinnamon and remaining flour; fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour into crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1" hot water to the large pan. Bake for 40 mins. Reheat reserved caramel mixture if necessary; gently spoon over cheesecake. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake 10-15 mins. longer or until center is just set. Remove pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 mins. Carefully run a knife around edge to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, and remove sides of pan to serve.

We must keep our chins up, live TODAY, and have Faith for tomorrow!!

Love,

MM