Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine the creaminess of cheesecake with the tartness of apples and the sweetness of caramel, making them a perfect dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
Cheesecake Layer
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Layer
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced Substitute with Honeycrisp or Fuji if desired
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional) Can be substituted for other nuts or omitted
Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9”x13” baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
Making the Cheesecake Layer
- In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over the cooled crust and spread it evenly.
Adding the Apple Layer
- In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread this apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
Making the Streusel Topping
- In a bowl, mix the flour and brown sugar together. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. If using pecans, stir them in at this point and sprinkle the topping over the apple layer.
Baking the Bars
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the streusel is golden and the cheesecake has set. Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preparing the Caramel Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then increase heat to medium-high. Cook without stirring until amber in color (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and carefully whisk in the cream (it will bubble), then stir in butter and salt until smooth. Let cool slightly.
Serving
- Cut the chilled bars into squares and drizzle with warm caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. They are also freezable for up to 2-3 months.
