Harvest Apple Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 3  apples cored peeled sliced into 12 rings
• 0.3 cup brown sugar packed
• 0.5 cup butter divided melted
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon 
• 8 servings garnish: cinnamon 
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 4  eggs beaten
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 
• 8 oz ricotta cheese 
• 0.8 cup sugar 
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 8 oz whipping cream 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• springform pan

Directions

1. Combine cracker crumbs, brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter and cinnamon. Press onto bottom and partway up sides of an ungreased 9" springform pan. In a skillet, saut apple slices on both sides in remaining butter. Arrange 6 apple slices on prepared crust. In a bowl, beat eggs, sugar, ricotta cheese, cream cheese and vanilla until smooth.
2. Add whipping cream and blend well.
3. Pour cheese mixture into pan. Arrange remaining apple slices on top and press apples slightly under the mixture.
4. Sprinkle top with cinnamon.
5. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 degrees and bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Cool and refrigerate overnight.