Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping
User Reviews
4.6
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping
Description
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping start with a buttery shortbread base flavored with brown sugar and cinnamon. A cream cheese layer is blended with sugar, eggs, and vanilla for smooth richness. A spiced apple mixture adds warmth and subtle fruit sweetness. The streusel topping made from brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and butter provides a crumbly, textured finish once baked. Finally, a homemade caramel sauce made from butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla is poured over the bars to enhance the dessert’s depth and moistness. Baking each layer carefully yields a harmonious balance of crisp, creamy, fruity, and sweet elements in every bite.
The combination of smooth cheesecake and tender apples creates a pleasing texture contrast, with the streusel adding crispness on top. Cinnamon and nutmeg bring autumn-inspired warmth. These bars can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature as a dessert or snack during cooler months.
The recipe's division into several distinct components—base, cream cheese filling, apple mixture, streusel, and caramel sauce—requires preparation ahead of time, but they come together in the final bake. Using Granny Smith apples adds a tartness that balances the sweetness. The caramel sauce can be adjusted to taste by varying vanilla intensity.
Ingredients
Apples:
- 3 medium apple peeled, cored and finely chopped, Granny Smith variety
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup oats quick cooking
- ½ cup butter softened, salted
Shortbread Base:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup butter softened, salted
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 2 packages packages (8-ounces each) cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter salted
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla can cut down to 1 teaspoon for less vanilla flavor
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with foil (helps with cleanup but isn't necessary). Lightly grease the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
- For the apples, in a small bowl, stir together the chopped apples, two tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- For the streusel, in a medium bowl, combine all the streusel topping ingredients and mix with a pastry blender or two forks (or your fingers) until crumbly. Set aside.
- For the shortbread base, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly but evenly and well combined. Press the crust evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until very lightly browned around the edges.
- For the cream cheese layer, while the crust is baking, in a large bowl with an electric handheld mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the cream cheese with the 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time and then the vanilla. Mix until evenly combined, scraping down the edges of the bowl as needed. Pour over the warm crust.
- Give the apple mixture a good stir and spoon over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the filling is set.
- For the caramel sauce, add the butter, brown sugar, cream, and salt to a saucepan and set over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook while stirring gently for 5-7 minutes, until thickened slightly. Add the vanilla and cook another minute to thicken further. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. If the caramel sauce has been refrigerated, warm slightly to pour over the bars.
- Cool the bars to room temperature. Drizzle with the caramel topping (or plate individual slices and drizzle with topping one by one).
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24Servings (9X13-inch pan)
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Bar | |
| Calories | 390kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Cholesterol | 77mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 217mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 31g | 62% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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