Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Introduction

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples with rich cream cheese and a buttery shortbread base. Topped with a crunchy streusel and drizzled with homemade caramel sauce, these bars make a perfect dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

• Apples: 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Streusel Topping:
• 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (1.75 ounces) quick-cooking oats
• ½ cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• Shortbread Base:
• 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (3.75 ounces) packed brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks, 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• Cream Cheese Layer:
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (3.75 ounces) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Caramel Sauce:
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (reduce to 1 teaspoon if preferred)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon for the shortbread base. Add the softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
3. Step 3: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, toss the chopped apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
5. Step 5: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
6. Step 6: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread crust.
7. Step 7: Evenly distribute the apple mixture over the cream cheese layer.
8. Step 8: To make the streusel topping, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and oats in a medium bowl. Cut in the softened butter using a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apple layer.
10. Step 10: Bake the bars for 40-45 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
11. Step 11: To prepare the caramel sauce, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, heavy cream, and salt, stirring continuously until boiling.
12. Step 12: Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
13. Step 13: Drizzle the cooled caramel sauce over the bars before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
• For extra texture, add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the streusel topping.
• Reduce the caramel vanilla to 1 teaspoon for a less intense flavor if preferred.
• To make ahead, bake the bars and refrigerate, then warm slightly before serving with caramel sauce.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual servings gently in the microwave or enjoy them chilled. Keep the caramel sauce refrigerated separately and warm slightly before drizzling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples instead of fresh?

Fresh apples are best for maintaining texture, but if using frozen, thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture in the bars.

Can these bars be made gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 99 reviews

• Author: Andria
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x

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Description

Delight in these luscious Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery shortbread base, creamy cheesecake layer, spiced apple topping, and a crumbly streusel finish, all drizzled with rich homemade caramel sauce. Perfect for fall gatherings or anytime you crave a comforting, layered treat with the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramelized apples.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Apples:

• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

• 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (1.75 ounces) quick-cooking oats
• ½ cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

Shortbread Base:

• 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (3.75 ounces) packed brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks, 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

Cream Cheese Layer:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (3.75 ounces) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (reduce to 1 teaspoon if preferred)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Shortbread Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the softened butter and mix until the dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let it cool slightly.
2. Make the Apple Layer: In a medium bowl, toss the chopped apples with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled shortbread crust.
4. Add the Apple Layer: Distribute the spiced apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer, ensuring uniform coverage.
5. Make the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and quick-cooking oats. Cut in the softened butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle this streusel evenly over the apple layer.
6. Bake the Bars: Bake the assembled bars for 40-45 minutes, or until the streusel topping is golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
7. Prepare the Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the light brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Stir continuously until the mixture reaches a boil. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
8. Serve: Drizzle the cooled caramel sauce generously over the bars before cutting and serving for an extra layer of rich flavor.

Notes

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for best flavor contrast.
• If you prefer a less sweet caramel, reduce the brown sugar slightly or the vanilla extract in the caramel sauce.
• Be sure to cool the bars completely before drizzling caramel to prevent it from soaking in too much.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Allow bars to come to room temperature before serving for the perfect texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: caramel apple bars, cheesecake bars, apple dessert, streusel bars, caramel sauce, fall dessert, baked bars