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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
4.6 from 168 votes

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars feature a crisp buttery crust topped with a smooth cream cheese layer, a spiced apple filling, and a crunchy crumble topping. The apples are seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar to create a tender, flavorful layer that complements the creamy cheesecake underneath. A drizzle of salted caramel sauce adds sweetness and richness. These bars combine varied textures from crumbly base to soft fruit and creamy cheesecake and are ideal for dessert or a sweet snack.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
55 mins
Cooling Time
4 hrs
Total Time
5 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 9
Calories: 472 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Crust
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup butter softened, unsalted
Cheesecake
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened (use brick-style)
  • 1 egg large
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apples
  • apple from about 2 med apples, peeled and cored; I used 1 Fuji and 1 Gala, about 2 cups, small diced
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Crumble
  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup rolled oats not quick-cook or instant, old-fashioned whole
  • 6 tablespoons butter 3/4 of 1 stick, softened, unsalted
Caramel
  • ½ cup salted caramel sauce, for drizzling; or more to taste (homemade salted caramel, or store bought; use a thick caramel sauce and not thin, runny ice cream sundae topping)
  • Ice cream optional for serving

Instructions

Crust
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang and spray with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, and cut in the butter with two forks. Keep working until mixture is combined and pea-sized crumbly bits are present.
  3. Turn mixture out into prepared pan, hard-packing it with your fingertips in an even, smooth, flat layer to form a crust.
  4. Bake for 14-15 minutes, or just until set (set a timer). Remove from oven; set aside. While crust bakes, prepare the remaining layers.
Cheesecake Layer
  1. In a large bowl (same one used for crust is okay, just wipe with a paper towel), add all ingredients and beat with a hand mixer (or whisk vigorously by hand) until smooth and combined, about 2 minutes on high power; set aside.
Apple Layer
  1. Peel, core, and dice apples and place in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and toss well to combine; set aside.
Crumble Topping
  1. In a medium bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, oats, and cut in the butter with two forks. Keep working until mixture is combined and pea-sized crumbly bits are present. If necessary, add an extra tablespoon or two of flour or oats for preferred consistency if mixture is loose.
Assemble the Bars
  1. After removing pan with the crust layer from the oven, pour cheesecake mixture over the crust, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
  2. Lightly and evenly sprinkle the apples.
  3. Evenly sprinkle with the crumble mixture. It looks like a lot, but it sinks some while baking.
  4. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes (I baked 48 minutes), or until crumble topping is just set and very lightly golden browned. Place pan on a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes.
  5. After 30 minutes, evenly drizzle with (salted) caramel sauce.
  6. Allow bars to cool, in pan, on wire rack for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Cover with foil if cooling overnight. Don’t slice bars too early because you’ll have a literal hot mess and bars will likely fall apart. Prior to slicing, lift bars out using foil overhang, slice, and serve.

Notes

  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain texture and flavor.
  • The bars freeze well for up to six months when sealed tightly, allowing for make-ahead convenience.
  • For serving, adding a scoop of ice cream complements the warm spices and caramel topping.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1piece Calories 472kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 53g (18%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 28g (43%) Saturated Fat 17g (85%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 7g (35%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 91mg (30%) Sodium 95mg (4%) Potassium 113mg (2%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 33g (66%) Vitamin A 916IU (18%) Vitamin C 0.03mg (0%) Calcium 62mg (6%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 472

% Daily Value*

Serving 1piece
Calories 472kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 53g 18%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 28g 43%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 91mg 30%
Sodium 95mg 4%
Potassium 113mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 33g 66%
Vitamin A 916IU 18%
Vitamin C 0.03mg 0%
Calcium 62mg 6%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.