Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Name: Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed; 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; 3 medium tart apples, peeled and finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; STREUSEL:; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats; 1/3 cup cold butter, cubed; 1/3 cup hot caramel ice cream topping

These caramel apple cheesecake bars with a streusel topping are an irresistible dessert. If you can’t resist a “taste test” before a party, just arrange each apple bar on a serving platter and no one will know a piece is missing from the pan! —Katherine White, Henderson, Nevada

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
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
3 medium tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
STREUSEL:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
1/3 cup hot caramel ice cream topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a well-greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Spread over crust.
In a small bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining sugar; spoon over cream cheese layer. In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and oats; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple layer.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping; cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 191 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping in Simple & Delicious October/November 2013

Reviews

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Average Rating:

drag0nrid3r

Dec 27, 2018

I made this using some tweaks as others suggested. I used cinnamon in the crust. And I didn't use caramel topping. The crust was the least favorite part of this recipe. I found the crust a bit weird looking and wholly weak to support the cheesecake and toppings. This was a super sweet dessert even without the caramel. I personally think cutting down on the sugar in both the streusel and cheesecake portion is advisable. Most everyone liked the bar but I think it would be better with a shortbread crust. This dessert could stand to have more tweaking involved. The apples were finely diced and were not hard in the allotted cooking time.
Saybeebisber

Nov 10, 2018

Made this recipe two times, now. My husband says; “ it’s a keeper”!!! Next time I make it, I “will” soften the apples a bit, to make sure they are completely done. Otherwise' the chopping needs to produce “extremely” small pieces. The finished product would be beautiful on any holiday tray. The flavor was excellent and the crust was my favorite part. I will make it again and again, with the one exception, to soften ” the ??’s”.
Diane

Oct 7, 2018

Very experienced baker. Lots of work and a messy kitchen, but delicious. Baked crust 10 minutes, filled, baked additional 40 minutes. I was hoping for bars that people could grab on a napkin, take outside, and pick up to eat, but these are thick and a bit too wobbly for that, more a plate and fork dessert. Make again? 50/50.
namyers

Sep 30, 2018

Made these this morning for mother's assisted living group. Everthing came out good, though I did leave off the caramel sauce and did add cinnamon to the crust and topping as other people suggested. Gave one to my husband who is my taste tester. He thought they were good but needed more of the apples. This will definitly go in my book or recipes to make at a later date. Thank you for sharing.
Michelle

Sep 26, 2018

I live at high altitude. (over 7,200 feet) So things do cook differently up here. I was disappointed in the base layer of this recipe. It seemed way too thick. The filling and streusel were delicious. I will try making this again but possibly using store bought pie crust and rolling it out to fit the pan.
ChrisD1717

Sep 26, 2018

Excellent!!!
603linda

Oct 27, 2017

Made these for a ladies church group and everyone thought they were delicious. Lots of requests for the recipe. A little labor intensive, but end result was worth it.
Lawler67

Sep 26, 2017

Love the cheescake and apple flavor combination. Almost a little too sweet, but it disappeared fast.
mkroontje

Aug 15, 2017

I made these for my coworkers and now they are requested by them all the time! So good!
schamberlain

Dec 5, 2016

Really yummy. I left off the caramel, hubby wont eat it if it's too sweet. Was perfect