Decadent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Savor the exquisite combination of creamy cheesecake, tart apples, and buttery streusel atop a crumbly crust, all drizzled with a rich caramel topping. These decadent bars are sure to impress and satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ingredients

For the bars
2	cups all-purpose flour
1	cup butter, softened
3	packages cream cheese, softened
3	large eggs
1 1⁄2	teaspoons vanilla extract
3	granny smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1⁄2	teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄4	teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the streusel topping
1	cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1	cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2	cup quick-cooking oats
1⁄2	cup butter, softened

Instructions

• For the bars

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour and firmly packed brown sugar. Use a pastry blender or 2 forks to cut in softened butter until the mixture is crumbly. Press the mixture evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with 3/4 cup of sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla extract. Stir to combine and pour over the warm crust.
  4. In a small bowl, stir together finely chopped granny smith apples, 2 tablespoons of sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Spoon this mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.

• For the streusel topping

  1. In a small bowl, combine firmly packed brown sugar, all-purpose flour, quick-cooking oats, and softened butter.
  2. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and allow to cool. Serve cold and enjoy!

Aug 15, 2024