Description
Delight in these Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery crust, creamy cheesecake filling, tart spiced apples, and a crunchy streusel topping drizzled with caramel sauce. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, these bars combine the classic flavors of apple pie and cheesecake in one irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
Cheesecake Filling
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Apple Layer
- 3 medium tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
Caramel Drizzle
- 1/3 cup hot caramel ice cream topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cut in 3/4 cup cold cubed butter using a pastry blender or forks until the mixture is crumbly. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a well-greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the crust turns lightly browned.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: While the crust bakes, in a large bowl, beat together 16 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Add 2 lightly beaten eggs and mix on low speed just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Assemble the Apple Layer: In a separate small bowl, toss the finely chopped apples with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until the apples are evenly coated. Spread the cream cheese filling over the baked crust, then evenly spoon the apple mixture on top of the cheesecake layer.
- Prepare and Add Streusel Topping: In another bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats. Cut in 1/3 cup cold cubed butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the apple layer.
- Bake the Bars: Bake the assembled pan for 25-30 minutes at 350°F, or until the cheesecake filling is set and the streusel topping is golden brown.
- Drizzle with Caramel and Cool: Remove the bars from the oven and immediately drizzle 1/3 cup of hot caramel ice cream topping over the surface. Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours before cutting into 3 dozen squares. Serve chilled for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
- Chilling the bars before cutting helps them set properly and makes slicing easier.
- Customize the streusel by adding chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- Caramel ice cream topping can be substituted with homemade caramel sauce for a fresher taste.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/36th of entire recipe)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
