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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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3.8 from 81 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 24 servings

Description

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a delightful combination of creamy cheesecake layered with spiced apples on a buttery crumb crust, topped with a crunchy oat streusel and drizzled with caramel. Perfect as a decadent dessert for fall or any special occasion, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

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

Apple Layer

  • 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

Finishing

  • 1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature by the time your preparation is ready to bake.
  2. Prepare Crust: In a medium bowl, mix together the flour and brown sugar. Cut in the softened butter using a pastry blender, food processor, or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Evenly press this crumbly mixture into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned, then remove from the oven.
  3. Make Cheesecake Filling: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the softened cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract. Pour this mixture evenly over the warm pre-baked crust.
  4. Prepare Apple Layer: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped Granny Smith apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Spoon this spiced apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake filling layer.
  5. Create Streusel Topping: In another small bowl, thoroughly mix the brown sugar, flour, oats, and softened butter by hand to form a crumbly topping. Avoid using a food processor to maintain the oat texture. Evenly sprinkle this streusel over the apple layer.
  6. Bake Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cheesecake filling is set and the streusel topping is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool to room temperature.
  7. Finish and Serve: Drizzle the cooled bars with caramel topping. Refrigerate for storage up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months. Serve these bars cold and enjoy their creamy, spiced, and caramel flavors.

Notes

  • For best results, use softened butter and cream cheese at room temperature to ensure smooth mixtures.
  • Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness, which balances the sweetness of the caramel and streusel.
  • Press the crust firmly and evenly to avoid a crumbly base that falls apart when serving.
  • If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the sugars slightly in the apple layer or streusel topping.
  • The bars keep well refrigerated for up to 5 days and can be frozen for up to 4 months; thaw in refrigerator before serving.
  • Drizzling caramel after baking helps keep the topping crisp instead of soggy.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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