Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Delight in these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars featuring a crisp graham cracker crust, spiced sautéed apples layered over creamy cheesecake, and a buttery streusel topping, all finished with a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfectly balanced with warm autumn flavors, these bars make an irresistible dessert for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10–12 full sheets)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the apple topping:
- 3 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Fuji), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the cheesecake layer:
- 16 ounces (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the streusel crumble topping:
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
For assembly:
- Caramel sauce for drizzling (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring some parchment overhang to facilitate easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Pour in melted butter and stir until the mixture is evenly moistened. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is set and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Apples: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced apples, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crust. Arrange the cooked apple slices evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this streusel topping evenly over the apples and cheesecake layer.
- Bake the Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set and the streusel topping turns golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cooled bars for at least 2 hours to set. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan and cut into squares. Drizzle generously with warm caramel sauce before serving for a perfect finishing touch.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for balanced sweetness and acidity.
- Allow the bars to chill thoroughly to ensure clean, firm slices.
- Store leftover bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a homemade caramel sauce, melt sugar and cream with butter and vanilla for a rich drizzle.
- Do not overmix the cheesecake batter to avoid cracks during baking.
Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, apple cheesecake bars, caramel apple dessert, streusel cheesecake bars, fall dessert recipes
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-recipe/
