Celebrate Apple Pie Day! Here is a recipe that is a taste bud pleaser. So yummy! Instead of making caramel sauce, drizzle it on top and cut them into bars. Soooo good. Add this caramel apple cheesecake to your fall baking list. The golden brown crust tastes like a buttery graham cracker crust. The cheesecake layer is rich, smooth, creamy, and slightly tangy. Cinnamon apples are sprinkled on top and are tender, slightly crispy, juicy, and sweet. The streusel is crumbly and slightly crunchy. Drizzle your favorite caramel sauce over a bar for a delicious apple dessert.
Ingredients
CRUST
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 sticks cold butter, into square pats
CHEESECAKE LAYER
• 2 packages cream cheese, softened (8 oz each)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
APPLE LAYER
• 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
STREUSEL TOPPING
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 stick butter, softened
• OPTIONAL TOPPING
• caramel sauce, optional
How To Make caramel apple cheesecake bars
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
STEP 2
Add slices of butter.
STEP 3
Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
STEP 4
Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
STEP 5
Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
STEP 6
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 c granulated sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
STEP 7
Then add eggs, 1 at a time. Stir to combine.
STEP 8
Stir in vanilla extract.
STEP 9
Pour over warm crust.
Step 10
In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 Tbsp sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
STEP 11
Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
STEP 12
Make the streusel. Combine the brown sugar, flour, and oats.
STEP 13
Cut in the butter.
STEP 14
Sprinkle the streusel topping over the cheesecake layer.
STEP 15
Bake for 30 - 45 minutes or until filling is set.
STEP 16
When cooled cut into bars and drizzle with caramel topping.
