Fall flavors just got better with these tart cream cheese apple desserts. You love that tangy bite from cream cheese paired with crisp, juicy apples—it's irresistible.
I've rounded up 13 mouthwatering recipes that are easy to make at home. Whether you're baking for a crowd or a cozy night in, these tarts deliver sweet-tart perfection every time.
From classic tarts to no-bake options, you'll find something for every craving. Grab your apron, and let's dive into the deliciousness.
13 Tart Cream Cheese Apple Desserts
Picture this: flaky crusts cradling velvety cream cheese and tart apples, ready to steal the show at your next gathering. These recipes are simple, foolproof, and bursting with autumn vibes. Let's get baking!
1. Classic Cream Cheese Apple Tart
This timeless tart combines a buttery shortbread crust with rich cream cheese and thinly sliced tart apples for a crisp, creamy bite that's not too sweet. Perfect for beginners, it bakes up golden and gorgeous.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (like King Arthur for best texture)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp apricot jam for glaze
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Crust
Preheat oven to 375°F. In a food processor, pulse flour, butter, and powdered sugar until crumbly. Press into a 9-inch tart pan. Bake 15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool slightly.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth, about 2 minutes with electric mixer. Spread evenly over cooled crust.
Add Apples and Bake
Toss apple slices with lemon juice and cinnamon. Arrange in overlapping circles on filling. Bake 35-40 minutes until apples are tender. Brush with warmed apricot jam. Cool before slicing.
2. Mini Cream Cheese Apple Tartlets
These bite-sized beauties offer flaky crust, tangy cream cheese, and crisp apple in every pop-in-your-mouth treat. Ideal for parties, they bake quickly and impress with their elegant look.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 6 tbsp cold butter, diced
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 small Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp honey for drizzle
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix the Dough
Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend flour, butter, and powdered sugar into dough. Press into 12 mini muffin tins. Chill 10 minutes.
Prepare Filling
Whisk cream cheese, sugar, yolk, and vanilla smooth. Spoon into crusts.
Top and Bake
Toss apples with lemon and cinnamon; place 2-3 slices per tartlet. Bake 20-25 minutes until set. Drizzle with honey. Cool in tins 5 minutes, then on rack.
3. Rustic Apple Cream Cheese Galette
A freeform galette brings farmhouse charm with buttery crust hugging cream cheese and tart apples. The edges get extra crisp, making each slice a textural delight.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 medium tart apples, sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp turbinado sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the Dough
Pulse flour and butter in processor. Add water to form dough. Flatten into disk, chill 30 minutes.
Assemble Filling
Mix cream cheese, sugar, and egg smooth. Roll dough to 12-inch circle on floured surface. Spread filling in center, leaving 2-inch border.
Fold and Bake
Arrange apples over filling, fold edges in. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle turbinado. Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes until browned. Cool slightly.
4. No-Bake Cream Cheese Apple Tart
Skip the oven with this chilled tart—graham crust, whipped cream cheese, and jellied apples create a cool, tangy refreshment that's ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tbsp melted butter
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 Granny Smith apples, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup apple jelly
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Form the Crust
Mix crumbs and butter. Press into 9-inch springform pan. Chill 15 minutes.
Whip the Filling
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Whip cream to stiff peaks; fold in. Spread over crust. Chill 20 minutes.
Top and Set
Toss apples in lemon juice; arrange on filling. Melt jelly, brush over apples. Refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
5. Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Rich caramel drips over tart apples and cream cheese for indulgent contrast—sweet, tangy, and chewy all in one slice. Use store-bought caramel for ease.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made pie crust (Pillsbury recommended)
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tart apples, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- Pinch sea salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Blind Bake Crust
Fit crust into 9-inch tart pan. Line with foil and beans; bake at 375°F 15 minutes. Remove foil, bake 5 more.
Fill with Cheese Layer
Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and cinnamon. Pour into crust.
Add Apples and Caramelize
Toss apples in butter; arrange on top. Bake 30 minutes. Drizzle caramel, sprinkle salt. Cool completely.
6. Spiced Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Warm spices like nutmeg and clove elevate the tart apple-cream cheese duo, baking into a cozy, aromatic dessert that fills your kitchen with fall scents.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 3 Granny Smith apples, sliced thin
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp clove
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare Crust Dough
Preheat to 375°F. Rub flour, butter, sugar to crumbs; press into tart pan. Prick with fork. Bake 12 minutes.
Mix Spiced Filling
Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla, nutmeg smooth. Spread in crust.
Layer and Spice Apples
Mix cinnamon and clove; toss with apples. Fan over filling. Bake 40 minutes until bubbly. Cool on rack.
7. Streusel-Topped Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Crispy streusel crowns tart apples and creamy filling for crunch heaven. The oats add heartiness, making it a crowd-pleasing coffee companion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour (for crust)
- 1/2 cup butter (divided)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 apples, sliced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Streusel: 1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bake Crust Base
Mix crust flour, 1/2 cup butter, powdered sugar; press into pan. Bake at 350°F 15 minutes.
Add Filling and Apples
Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg; spread. Top with cinnamon apples.
Apply Streusel and Finish
Mix streusel ingredients; crumble on top. Bake 35 minutes until golden. Cool before cutting.
8. Lemon-Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Zesty lemon brightens tart apples and cream cheese for a refreshing twist—citrus cuts the richness, delivering puckery perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups shortbread cookies, crushed
- 5 tbsp melted butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 egg
- 2 Granny Smith apples, very thin slices
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Press Cookie Crust
Mix cookies and butter; press into 9-inch pan. Chill while preheating to 350°F.
Blend Lemon Filling
Beat cream cheese, sugar, zest, juice, egg fluffy. Pour over crust.
Arrange and Bake
Toss apples with sugar, cinnamon; layer neatly. Bake 30-35 minutes until set. Chill to firm.
9. Cran-Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Tart cranberries mingle with apples for jewel-like pops against cream cheese—festive, tangy, and a holiday must-have.
Ingredients
- 1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 apples, sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Baked Crust
Use store-bought crust baked per package at 375°F for 10 minutes.
Cream Cheese Layer
Whip cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla; fill crust.
Cook Fruit Topping
Simmer apples, cranberries, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon 10 minutes until thick. Spread over. Bake 25 minutes at 350°F.
10. Almond Crust Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Nutty almond crust complements smooth cream cheese and tart apples—gluten-friendly vibe with toasty flavor depth.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 3 tart apples, sliced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Form Almond Crust
Mix almond flour, butter, sugar. Press into tart pan. Bake at 350°F 10 minutes.
Fill with Extracted Cheese
Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, almond extract. Spread evenly.
Top and Glaze
Arrange cinnamon apples. Bake 30 minutes. Brush with honey. Cool.
11. Ginger Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Fresh ginger adds fiery zing to tart apples and mellow cream cheese—spicy-sweet balance that's warming and bold.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 3 apples, sliced
- 2 tbsp crystallized ginger, chopped
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Crust Prep
Pulse flour, butter, sugar for dough. Press and bake 12 minutes at 375°F.
Ginger-Infused Filling
Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg, fresh ginger smooth. Add to crust.
Garnish and Bake
Layer apples with cinnamon and crystallized ginger. Bake 35 minutes. Rest before serving.
12. Maple Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Pure maple syrup glazes tart apples atop cream cheese for woodsy sweetness—simple upgrade with pantry staple magic.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 6 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp maple syrup (divided)
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 Granny Smith apples, sliced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp maple syrup for glaze
Step-by-Step Instructions
Sweeten Crust
Blend flour, butter, 1 tbsp maple to dough. Press into pan, bake 15 minutes at 350°F.
Maple Cream Layer
Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla, 2 tbsp maple. Fill crust.
Glaze and Bake
Top with cinnamon apples. Bake 30 minutes. Brush remaining maple. Cool.
13. Chai-Spiced Apple Cream Cheese Tart
Chai spices—cardamom, cinnamon, black tea essence—transform cream cheese and apples into an aromatic, exotic tart adventure.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp chai spice blend (or mix cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves)
- 3 tart apples, sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp chai spice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Spice the Crust
Process flour, butter, sugar. Press and parbake 12 minutes at 375°F.
Infuse Chai Filling
Whip cream cheese, sugar, egg, 1 tsp chai smooth. Spread.
Spice Apples and Bake
Toss apples in lemon, 1 tsp chai. Arrange. Bake 40 minutes until fragrant. Cool fully.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You've got 13 ways to master tart cream cheese apple desserts now. Pick one that calls to you—maybe start with the classic on a lazy weekend.
These recipes turn simple ingredients into showstoppers. Share with friends or keep them all for yourself.
Baking brings joy, so experiment with your favorite apples and enjoy the process. Your kitchen adventures await!
