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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 103 reviews

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with a smooth cream cheese filling, topped with warm cinnamon-spiced apples and a crumbly streusel topping. Finished with a drizzle of rich caramel sauce, these bars offer a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and creamy, ideal for an indulgent dessert or special occasion treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Cheesecake Filling

  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Apple Topping

  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

Finishing

  • 1 cup high-quality caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then allow to cool slightly while keeping the oven temperature the same.
  2. Make Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, continuing to beat until the mixture is fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time on low speed, beating just until combined after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Pour this cheesecake filling evenly over the cooled crust and spread to cover completely.
  3. Prepare Apple Topping: Toss the peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. In a medium saucepan, combine the apples with light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until apples are tender-crisp. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  4. Prepare Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and packed light brown sugar. Use your fingers or a fork to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
  5. Assemble and Bake: Gently spoon the cooled apple topping evenly over the cheesecake filling layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly on top of the apples. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and bake for 45-55 minutes. The edges should be set while the center retains a slight jiggle. Avoid opening the oven door frequently to maintain temperature.
  6. Cool and Chill: After baking, turn off the oven and slightly prop the door open to let the bars cool inside for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely for 1-2 hours at room temperature. Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow full setting.
  7. Drizzle and Serve: Once well chilled, use the parchment paper overhangs to lift the bars from the pan onto a cutting board. Gently warm the caramel sauce until pourable and drizzle generously over the entire surface of the bars. Slice into 18-24 bars with a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts. Serve cold or slightly chilled. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese is completely softened for a smooth filling.
  • Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness and firmness, which holds up well in cooking.
  • Do not overbake the cheesecake; a slight jiggle in the center indicates it will set perfectly when chilled.
  • Warming the caramel sauce slightly makes it easy to drizzle evenly.
  • Store bars refrigerated and consume within 5 days for best freshness.
  • Optionally, you can add chopped nuts to the streusel topping for extra crunch.

Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, caramel cheesecake bars, apple dessert bars, autumn dessert, cinnamon apple dessert

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-recipe/