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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 37 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus 2 hours chilling
  • Yield: 20 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery crumb crust with a creamy cheesecake layer, topped with spiced apples and a crunchy oat streusel. Finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce, they offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors in a convenient bar format, ideal for dessert or special occasions.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Crust

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup cold butter (cubed)

Apple Cheesecake Filling

  • 2 packages cream cheese (8 oz each, softened)
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 3 medium tart apples (peeled and finely chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

Streusel Topping

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/3 cup cold butter (cubed)

Topping

  • 1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13×9 inch baking pan and set it aside to get ready for the crust.
  2. Make Crust: In a small bowl, mix together 2 cups of flour and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar. Cut in the 3/4 cup cold cubed butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the crust just begins to brown.
  3. Prepare Cheesecake Filling: While the crust is baking, beat the softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup white sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in the lightly beaten eggs on low speed until just combined. Spread this cheesecake mixture evenly over the baked crust.
  4. Prepare Apple Layer: In a small bowl, toss the peeled and finely chopped apples with ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of white sugar. Spoon this apple mixture over the cheesecake layer.
  5. Make Streusel Topping: In another bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons white sugar, and quick-cooking oats. Cut in 1/3 cup cold cubed butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this streusel evenly over the apple layer.
  6. Bake: Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is set.
  7. Cool and Chill: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 1 hour. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set.
  8. Add Caramel and Serve: Before serving, drizzle the caramel ice cream topping over the chilled bars. Cut into 20 bars and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake layer.
  • Chilling the bars helps the cheesecake filling set properly for clean bar slices.
  • Store leftover bars in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.

Find it online: https://yumrecipesfood.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-recipe/