BEST CARAMEL APPLE-BROWNIE CHEESECAKE

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 cup pecans
• 2 (8-oz. or 227 grs.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large eggs, divided and at room temperature
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups baking apples (e.g. Granny Smith or Cortland), peeled and diced

• • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick ( about 1.25 cm) wedges

• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180° C). Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan for about 7-8 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.Remove from oven, let cool down, and chop. Reserve.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (about 160° C). Grease and flour a 9-inch (22.5 cm) springform pan. Sprinkle pecans over bottom of the prepared pan and reserve …