Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeRECIPESCaramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These Apple Caramel Cheese Bars are a layer of cheesecake on a graham cracker crust covered with cinnamon spiced apples, a streusel topping and sprinkled with sweet caramel – the perfect dessert for fall!

Ingredients

Crust
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons of brown sugar

The filling of the cheesecake
1 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese
1/3 cup of sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Apple layer
1 Granny Smith apple
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon of cloves

Streusel cover
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons of melted butter

Caramel Drizzle
12 individually wrapped candies
1 tablespoon of heavy cream
Or the salty caramel ice cream topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8 x 8-inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.
In a small bowl, combine the ingredients in the crust: graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter, and mix well with a fork.
Place crust mixture on prepared baking dish, pressing gently with fingers.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and soft, about 2 minutes.
Add sugar, egg and vanilla and beat until smooth and well combined.
Pour over the crust, spreading it evenly.
In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients for the apple layer: brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Mix well.
Peel, core and cut the apple into small pieces. Add to dry ingredients and stir to coat.
Spread evenly over the layer of cheesecake on the baking sheet.
In another medium bowl, combine the ingredients for the streusel topping: brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix well until a thick flour is formed. Sprinkle evenly over apple layer.
Bake for 30-40 minutes until the streusel is golden.
Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for an hour or more to settle.
For the caramel drizzle, in a microwave bowl, melt the candies in 30 second increments, until smooth, stirring together. Cool slightly and add heavy cream.
Sprinkle with homemade caramel sauce or caramel ice cream sauce before serving.