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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Brown Sugar Streusel Crust

A close-up of a rich apple cheesecake bars slice topped with crumble and drizzled heavily with caramel sauce.
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You create these layered bars by combining a buttery brown sugar streusel crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, spiced apples, and a sweet caramel topping. This recipe delivers the comforting flavors of apple pie and cheesecake in a handheld dessert perfect for fall gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Crust/Streusel: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • For the Apple Layer: 3 medium apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • For the Cheesecake Layer: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the Caramel Topping: 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
  2. Prepare the Crust/Streusel: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining one-third for the topping.
  4. Prepare the Apple Layer: In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with 1 tablespoon of sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Set aside.
  5. Prepare the Cheesecake Layer: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Assemble the Bars: Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the crust layer. Spoon the spiced apple mixture over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the reserved one-third of the crumb mixture evenly over the apples to create the streusel topping.
  7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is mostly firm. The cheesecake may still have a slight jiggle.
  8. Cool the bars completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important for clean slicing.
  9. Once cool, drizzle the top evenly with the caramel sauce.
  10. Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang before slicing.

Notes

  • For a richer crust flavor, substitute graham cracker crumbs for 1 cup of the all-purpose flour in the crust mixture.
  • If you prefer a saltier contrast, use salted butter in the crust.
  • You can make these ahead of time; store them covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerycommand.com/apple-cheesecake-bars/