No-Bake Dulce de Leche Apple Cheesecake Jars

Often linked to Mexican and Latin American sweets, dulce de leche brings caramel richness to these no-bake apple cheesecake jars. A cinnamon graham base and fluffy cream-cheese filling make them an easy, make-ahead dessert.

Serves 4 · 20 min prep

Estimate for one serving

• 420 cal
• 6g protein
• 42g carbs
• 26g fat

Every recipe here is free to read.

Ingredients

• 2 medium Honeycrisp or Gala apples
• 1/2 cup dulce de leche
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of sea salt
• 1 tsp fresh lime juice

Instructions

1. 1Melt the butter and stir it into the graham cracker crumbs with the cinnamon until the mixture looks like wet sand. Divide the crumbs evenly among four small jars or glasses and press firmly into an even base layer.
2. 2Beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla until completely smooth and fluffy, two minutes with a hand mixer.
3. 3In a separate cold bowl whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream-cheese mixture in two additions until light and uniform.
4. 4Spoon half of the cheesecake filling over the crumb bases, smoothing the tops. Warm the dulce de leche for 10 seconds in the microwave so it loosens, then drizzle half of it over the filling layers.
5. 5Core and finely dice the apples. Toss them quickly with the lime juice and a tiny pinch of sea salt to keep them bright.
6. 6Scatter half the diced apples over the dulce layer. Add the remaining cheesecake filling, then the rest of the dulce de leche and the remaining apples.
7. 7Cover the jars and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight so the flavors meld and the filling firms.
8. 8Just before serving, add an extra tiny drizzle of dulce de leche and a light dusting of cinnamon if desired. Serve chilled with spoons.