Brown Sugar-Apple Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS

For the Crust

gingersnaps

2 tbsp

light brown sugar

1/2 tbsp

ground cinnamon (optional)

1/2 stick

(4 TSBP) unsalted butter, melted

For the Apples

1/2 stick

unsalted butter

large Golden Delicious or Fuji apples, peeled, cored and cut into eighths(I used Honeycrisps)

2 tbsp

(packed) light brown sugar

For the Filling

1 1/2 lb

(three 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 cup

(packed) light brown sugar

6 tbsp

sugar

3 tbsp

apple cider

2 tsp

pure vanilla extract

2 tsp

ground cinnamon

large eggs

3/4 cup

sour cream

1/3 cup

heavy cream

Caramel Sauce for Drizzling