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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These creamy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars start with a shortbread crust, a thick cheesecake layer, and are topped with diced cinnamon apples and a sweet streusel topping.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 24

Equipment

  • 9x13 baking dish (my go-to for years has been Pyrex)
  • Electric Mixer (I like this one from KitchenAid
  • Pastry Blender (this makes cutting butter easy)

Ingredients
  

  • Crust:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • Cheesecake Filling:
  • 3 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Apples:
  • 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and finely chopped, (about 3 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Streusel Topping:
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • Drizzle:
  • 1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or food processor (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan that is greased or lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
  • In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
  • For the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture. You can't use a food processor because it will grind up the oats.
  • Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Let bars come to room temperature then store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Can be frozen up to 4 months.
  • Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy!

Notes

Increased the cheesecake layer by 1.5.
Serving: 1grams