Description
Delicious caramel apple cheesecake bars featuring a buttery crust, creamy cheesecake filling, spiced granny smith apples, and a crunchy streusel topping, all drizzled with rich caramel sauce for a perfect dessert 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 F to prepare for baking the crust.
- Prepare Crust: In a medium bowl, mix together 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cut in 1 cup softened butter with a pastry blender or forks until crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into a greased or lined 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
- Make Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat 3 packages cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Pour this mixture evenly over the warm crust.
- Prepare Apple Layer: In a small bowl, combine 3 cups finely chopped Granny Smith apples with 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Spoon evenly over the cheesecake filling.
- Make Streusel Topping: In another small bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup quick oats, and 1/2 cup softened butter. Use your hands to thoroughly mix until crumbly and well combined. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
- Bake Bars: Bake the assembled bars for 45 minutes, or until the cheesecake filling is set and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool and Store: Allow the bars to come to room temperature, then refrigerate. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 4 months.
- Drizzle and Serve: Before serving, drizzle 1/2 cup caramel topping over the bars. Serve cold and enjoy your caramel apple cheesecake bars!
Notes
- Use a pastry blender or food processor to cut the butter into the crust mixture for easier mixing.
- Be careful not to overmix the streusel topping to avoid grinding the oats.
- For best flavor, use tart Granny Smith apples, which hold their texture well during baking.
- Let bars cool completely before drizzling caramel to prevent melting and hanging too much.
- These bars freeze well; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil for storage up to 4 months.
- Use heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment paper to line the pan for easy removal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
