These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect sweet treat for fall! A buttery shortbread crust is topped with creamy vanilla cheesecake, tender spiced apples, brown sugar streusel, and a drizzle of caramel.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time1 hourhr
Cooling Time30 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr45 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple cheesecake bars, cheesecake squares, cream cheese bars
Servings: 16servings
Author: Beth
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
1 ¾cupsall purpose flour
½cupbrown sugar
¼tspsalt
1 ½sticks 3/4 cup unsalted butterroom temperature
Cheesecake Layer
2packages cream cheese8 oz each, room temperature
½cupgranulated sugar
1tspvanilla extract
2large eggs
Apple Layer
3cupsapplespeeled and finely diced (3 large or 4 small apples, I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady)
2tbspbrown sugar
½tspcinnamon
¼tspnutmeg
Streusel Topping
1cupall purpose flour
½cupquick cooking oats
⅔cupbrown sugar
1½tspcinnamon
¼tspsalt
1stick 1/2 cup unsalted buttermelted
Caramel Sauce- I used store bought caramel sauce
Instructions
Shortbread Crust
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper. Tip: butter the pan before adding the parchment paper to get it to stick to the pan.
In a mixing bowl combine the ingredients for the shortbread crust - all purpose flour, brown sugar, salt and room temperature butter. Use an electric mixer to combine, the crust will be very very crumby, that’s okay!
With damp hands, press the crust into the pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges of the crust begin to slightly brown. Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool. Meanwhile make the remaining layers.
Cheesecake Layer
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth, about 60-90 seconds. Add in the eggs, beating for about 30-60 seconds. Set aside.
Apple Layer
Peel, core and dice the apples. Measure 3 cups of apples. In a mixing bowl combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stir together, and set aside.
Streusel Layer
In a mixing bowl combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and melted butter. Use a spatula to mix the crumb. The mixture will be thick and you must stir well (elbow grease!) to combine all the dry ingredients. Continue to combine until the mixture looks wet. It’s okay if the mixture is “sandy” in texture. Use your hands to squeeze clumps together, forcing the mixture together. Set aside.
How to assemble
Once the crust has cooled for 10ish minutes, pour the cheesecake layer over the crust and spread it into an even layer. Spread the apples evenly over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the streusel layer evenly over the apples. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the cheesecake layer is set. Allow the bars to cool to room temperature. To serve later, once the bars cool, cover and store in the fridge. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars. Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving. Pro tip: Wipe your knife clean between each cut to get perfect cut lines.
Video
Notes
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars can be wrapped in the pan or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.