Vegan Baked-Apple-Cheesecake

Baked apples? Cheesecake? Baked apples? Cheesecake? That was pretty much the loop running through my head last Sunday. I just wanted to bake something sweet — one of those classic Sunday moments when you’re cozy on the couch, it’s gray outside, and you just crave something warm.
So there I was in the kitchen, staring at apples … then at the vegan cream cheese in the fridge … completely unable to decide. Cheesecake or baked apple? Both sound perfect for December. So I thought: why not just combine them?

Said and done! I grabbed a few apples, cored and stuffed them, popped them in the oven — and soon the whole place smelled like cinnamon and roasted apples. After baking, I chopped the apples and turned them into a juicy, slightly caramelized layer of baked apples — the perfect base for a cheesecake. Because let’s be honest: a layered cheesecake is simply the best.

When I was a kid, baked apples were always a Christmas-season staple — simple but so comforting: apples, raisins, cinnamon, nuts, all warm and fragrant straight from the oven. This year, we wanted to give that classic a little upgrade: creamy cheesecake, a crunchy speculoos crust, and the most festive spice mix imaginable.

But the key to really good baked apples is the spices. Without them, it'll just taste bland pretty quickly. We use Wintergewürz from LEBENSBAUM for this, which pairs perfectly with apples, baked goods, compote, or even plant-based cream thanks to its fruity-spicy note. And the best part: The spices are 100% organic and the entire supply chain carries the We Care seal – meaning: responsibly produced and transparent. That's what makes Christmas taste twice as good.

For the cheesecake layer, things get really creamy. We’re not making a no-bake version here, but a baked one — with a mix of soy yogurt, vegan cream cheese, and a little vanilla pudding powder. That combo makes the filling silky smooth but still light.

And of course, a great cheesecake needs a great crust — so we’re using speculoos cookies as the base. The combination of the spiced cookie crust, juicy baked apple layer, and creamy cheesecake filling is just unbeatable. Every bite tastes like Christmas.

Best of all: this cheesecake keeps well in the fridge for a few days and actually tastes even better once it’s had time to sit. Perfect if you want to make it a day ahead for the holidays and avoid spending the whole day in the kitchen.

So if you’re craving a dessert that tastes like Christmas but still feels a little different from the classic baked apple or simple cheesecake — this one’s for you.
And if you’re already in full-on holiday mode, make sure to check out our other Christmas recipes too: from cookies to stollen to our favorite vegan festive menu.