Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
User Reviews
5
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Description
The recipe begins with a simple crust made from all-purpose flour, sugar, and softened butter mixed to a crumbly texture and baked partially in a foil-lined pan. The filling incorporates softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs beaten together for a smooth cheesecake layer poured over the crust. Apples peeled and diced—Granny Smith preferred—are tossed with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, adding spiced sweetness and fruit texture atop the filling.
A crumbly topping of brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter is layered over the apples before baking the entire assembly until the filling sets and the topping becomes crisp. After cooling and refrigeration, the bars are cut into even pieces and drizzled with caramel topping for extra sweetness and visual appeal. The bars offer a balance of creamy, fruity, and crunchy components with familiar fall flavors.
This dessert is portion-friendly with 16 individual bars, suitable for sharing. Cooling completely before cutting keeps bars intact. Options include swapping the crust for graham cracker crust or lining the pan with parchment paper for easy removal. The recipe notes advise ensuring ingredients are properly mixed and at room temperature to achieve a smooth custard filling and cohesive crust.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter softened
Filling
- 12 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 egg
Apple Mixture
- 2 apple peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces, Granny Smith variety
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Topping
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup quick oats
- ¼ cup butter softened
- caramel topping to drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9X9 baking pan with aluminum foil, be sure to leave overhang on all four sides.
Crust
- Combine flour and sugar in a medium-sized bowl and cut in butter with 2 forks or a pastry blender until crumbly. Press mixture into prepared pan & bake for 15-20 minutes.
Filling
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, & vanilla until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing to combine. Pour mixture onto baked crust.
Apple Mixture
- In a medium bowl, toss apples, sugar, cinnamon, & nutmeg until combined. Sprinkle apple pieces evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
Topping
- Combine brown sugar, flour, quick oats, and softened butter in a medium bowl until crumbly. Sprinkle topping evenly over the apple layer.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until filling is set. (You can check it by just slightly jiggling the pan). Allow to cool and then place in refrigerator 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove from pan and cut into 16 even-sized bars. Drizzle with caramel topping.
Notes
- Ensure crust ingredients are mixed well until crumbly and hold when pressed.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smooth filling without lumps.
- Granny Smith apples offer a good tart contrast, but other firm varieties can be used.
- Line the pan with parchment paper as an alternative to foil for easier bar removal.
- Cool bars completely and refrigerate for best slicing results.
- Optional: Substitute a graham cracker crust for the base for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 285 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 285 | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 155mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 91mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 594IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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