Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
User Reviews
4.8
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Description
These bars start with a pressed graham cracker crust of crumbs, brown sugar, and melted salted butter baked briefly to set the base. The cheesecake filling blends whipped cream cheese, sugar, lightly beaten eggs added gradually, sour cream, and vanilla extract to create a smooth, creamy layer.
The topping combines diced apples with sugar, flour, and cinnamon, with a crumbly mix of brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and melted butter to achieve a textured, spiced apple crumb topping. The bars bake until the filling is mostly set but may slightly wiggle in the center, which is normal for cheesecake bars.
This dessert is rich; slicing into 12 portions instead of 9 helps manage richness when serving. Apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn work well for baking due to their texture. Bars can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. The caramel sauce layered over the topping adds a sweet finish.
Ingredients
For The Graham Cracker Crust
- 9 heets graham crackers about 1 cup of crumbs
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter salted, melted
For The Cheesecake
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened, 2 blocks
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 egg lightly beaten
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For The Apple Caramel Crumb Topping
- 1 apple diced small in 1/4 inch cubes
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 3 tablespoons butter salted, melted
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
Make The Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat the oven to 325. Line a 8x8 square pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until they become crumbs.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs to a large mixing bowl. Place the brown sugar and melted butter in with the graham cracker crumbs. Mix together until the crumbs are no longer dry.
- Add the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Use a ½ cup measuring cup to press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake the crust in the oven for 8 minutes then let the pan cool for at least five minutes.
Make The Cheesecake FIlling
- Whip cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth with an electric mixer or stand mixer, about 2-3 minutes. Add ½ cup sugar and cream together until fully mixed.
- Add the lightly beaten eggs half at a time to the cream cheese mixture, whipping until fully mixed.
- Add the sour cream and vanilla to the cream cheese filling. Whip until smooth.
Make The Apple Caramel Crumb Topping
- In a medium-sized bowl mix together the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter until the oats no longer are dry. Set aside.
- Peel the apple. Dice the apple into very small pieces, about 1/4 inch cubes.
- In a second medium-sized bowl add the apples, sugar, flour and cinnamon. Mix until combined.
Layer and Bake The Bars
- Pour the cheesecake layer over the graham cracker crust in the pan, smoothing evenly with a silicone spatula. Top the cheesecake layer with the apple topping evenly. Swirl with a chopstick or butterknife to help distribute the apples more evenly in the cheesecake. Break up the crumble topping and sprinkle evenly over the apple topping.
- Bake the cheesecake bars at 325 for 65-70 minutes, until most of the moisture is gone from the center. Let cool for 20 minutes. Place in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight before serving. Serve with a spoonful of caramel drizzled over the top and enjoy!
Notes
- Use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn apples for optimal baking texture and flavor in the topping.
- A slight wiggle in the cheesecake center after baking is normal and indicates proper doneness without being liquid.
- Consider slicing the bars into 12 pieces instead of 9 to reduce portion richness when serving.
- Store leftover bars sealed in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 508 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 508kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 115mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 383mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 175mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 40g | 80% |
| Vitamin A | 1067IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 95mg | 10% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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