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

It's caramel apple cheesecake bars with a streusel topping, and an irresistible dessert. If you can’t resist a “taste test” before a party, just arrange them on a serving platter and no one will know a piece is missing from the pan! —Katherine White, Clemmons, North Carolina

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

My Review

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

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
ladydi001

Nov 14, 2016

Everyone loved these bars. I did use 3 large apples. I will definitely make again! Next time I might make the bottom crust a little thinner and maybe try adding a little cinnamon to the crust and streusel as another suggested. Yummy even without the caramel.
cherylyoung

Nov 14, 2016

Thought this was really, really good. Has a really good crust that could be used for other bars. Made as directed.
MinnieCooks

Oct 30, 2016

This is a really tasty fall treat. Made this recently and everyone loved it. I omitted the caramel since I was taking it to a function and didn't want it to be too messy. Even without the caramel it was delicious. Tasted like a bite size cheesecake!
maryeburton

Oct 17, 2016

Very good foundation recipe and the perfect size for parties. I made these yesterday. Quite a process. I am a very experienced baker and very organized in the kitchen. My processes go quickly and cleanly. This was a lengthy process for me. Maybe it was just an off day :( ....we all have them. I followed the recipe to a "t" after reading all the reviews. I shared the finished bars with the families of two of my sons. All, along with myself and my husband, felt that there could have been more flavor...more of an apple pie spice type flavor and definitely more apples. Would I make them again.....yes, but I would add cinnamon to both the crust and the streusel and would add an extra apple or two. I'm not sure the caramel made much difference to taste or texture except to add additional calories.
clbrake

Oct 15, 2016

This recipe is AMAZING. And really a fun project. Never fail.
lettuceleaf

Oct 10, 2016

These bars are delicious and were a big hit at my house. Definitely will make them again. I peeled and shredded the apple which I think is easier than finely chopping.