Caramel-Apple Cheesecake

Prep : 30 minutes   Cook: 1 hour  Chill : 8 to 24 hours   Makes 12 servings

2-1/4           pounds large Granny Smith apples  (about 6 apples)
1-2/3           cups firmly packed light brown sugar , divided
1                  tablespoon butter
2                  cups cinnamon graham gracker crumbs ( about 15 whole crackers)
1/2              cup melted butter
1/2              cup finely chopped pecans
3                 (8 ounce) package cream cheese  , solften
2                  teaspoons vanilla extract
3                  large eggs
1/4               cup apple jelly
                 Sweetened whipped cream

1 .       Peel apples  and cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges  . Toss together  apples and 1/3 cup brown sugar  . Melt 1 tablespoon butter  in a large skillet  over medium-high heat ; add apple mixture  and saute 5 to 6 minutes  or until  crisp-tender  and golden . Cool completely (about 30 minutes).
2 .       Meanwhile , preheat  oven to 350* , Stir  together  cinnamon graham cracker crumbs  and next 2 ingredients  in a medium bowl until well blended  . Press mixture  on bottom  and 1-1/2 inches up the sides of a 9-inch spring-form pan . Bake  10 to 12 minutes  or until lightly browned . Remove to a wir rack  ; cool  crust completely  before filling (about 30 minutes).
3 .      Beat cream cheese  , vanilla  and remaining 1-1/3 cups brown sugar  at medium speed  with a heavy duty  electric  stand mixter  until blended  and smooth . Add eggs  , 1 at a time  , beating just until blended  after each addition . Pour batter  into prepared crust  . Arrange apples  over cream cheese  mixture .
4 .       Bake  at 350* for 55 minutes  to 1 hour  or until set  . Remove from oven  , and gently run  a knife  around outer edge  of cheesecake  to loosen  from sides  of pan . (do not remove from pan) . Cool completely  on wire rack  (about 2 hours  . Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours .
5 .        Cook apple jelly  and 1 teaspoon water  in a saucepan  over medium heat , stirring constantly , 2 to 3 minutes  or until jelly is melted , brush over  apple on top of the cheesecake . Serve with cream cheese .

You can make this tasty  apple cheesecake a day ahead  , wonderful for the holidays ... they will want more .