• Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C)

Make the Crust

• Combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom and about 1" up the sides of a 9" springform pan using the bottom of a dry measuring cup.
• Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and place the pan inside a large baking dish.

Make the Filling

• In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese , brown sugar and cinnamon on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.

  Avoid over-mixing after the eggs are added. If you beat in too much air, the cake will rise too much and then collapse, resulting in a dense firm cheesecake instead of a creamy one.
• Pour the filling into the baked crust. Pour boiling water into the baking dish until it comes an inch up the sides of the springform pan.
• Carefully transfer to the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, until the center is set but still slightly jiggly. Start checking for doneness at 50 minutes.

  PRO TIP: It is done baking when the middle reaches 145ºF with a cooking thermometer. 
• Remove the springform pan from the water bath and place on a wire rack to cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Transfer to the fridge until ready to serve (up to 48 hours in advance).

Make the Topping

• For the topping, combine sugar and water in a 10" frying pan over medium heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves, then stop. Tilt and swirl the pan occasionally until the mixture reduces to a syrup and turns amber, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat and whisk in butter and cinnamon. Add apple slices and stir to coat them in the caramel.
• Return the pan to medium heat. Stir often until apples are tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Transfer apples to a shallow pan or bowl to cool, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

To Assemble

• Just before serving, run a knife around the edge of the springform pan to release the cheesecake. Pile the cooled apples on top. Brush the maple syrup over the apples or drizzle it with a teaspoon.