Description
Deliciously creamy caramel apple cheesecake bars featuring a buttery crust, rich cheesecake filling, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crumbly streusel topping, finished with a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfect for dessert fans looking for a comforting fall treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Apples:
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped (about 3 cups)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the crust and assembled bars.
- Make Crust: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups of flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cut in 1 cup softened butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this evenly into a greased or lined 9×13 baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat 3 packages of softened cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar using an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add 3 eggs one at a time, beating after each. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract until combined. Pour this mixture over the warm crust.
- Add Apple Layer: In a small bowl, toss finely chopped 3 peeled and cored Granny Smith apples with 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake filling.
- Make Streusel Topping: Combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup quick cooking oats, and 1/2 cup softened butter in a bowl. Use clean hands to mix thoroughly until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
- Bake Bars: Bake the assembled bars for 45 minutes or until the filling is set and the streusel topping is golden brown and crumbly.
- Cool and Store: Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
- Add Caramel Drizzle: Before serving, drizzle 1/2 cup caramel topping over the bars. Serve chilled and enjoy your caramel apple cheesecake bars.
Notes
- Use a pastry blender or two forks for cutting butter into dry ingredients for a crumbly crust and streusel.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened for smooth cheesecake filling without lumps.
- Using Granny Smith apples adds a nice tartness that balances the sweet cheesecake and caramel.
- Do not use a food processor for the streusel topping to avoid pulverizing the oats.
- You can line the baking dish with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Bars can be frozen for up to 4 months; thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on the caramel drizzle.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
