Description
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery cinnamon-spiced crust, creamy cheesecake filling, tart Granny Smith apples with warm autumn spices, and a crunchy oat streusel topping, all finished with a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall desserts, these bars offer the comforting flavors of apple pie and cheesecake in a convenient handheld treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- Pinch of kosher salt
Filling:
- Three 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Martinelli’s Apple Juice (or pure apple juice)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
Apples:
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Martinelli’s Apple Juice (or pure apple juice)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Serving:
- Caramel sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat and prep pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
- Make the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cut in softened butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture is crumbly but moist. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust layer. Set aside.
- Prepare the filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Mix in the apple juice, vanilla extract, and salt until just combined.
- Assemble filling layer: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pressed crust and spread it evenly with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
- Prepare the apples: In a small bowl, toss the diced Granny Smith apples with brown sugar, apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until the apples are evenly coated with the spice and sugar mixture. Evenly distribute the apple pieces atop the cheesecake layer.
- Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in softened butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture is crumbly and pieces stick together slightly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple layer.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. The top should be golden and the center slightly jiggly but not liquid. This indicates it is baked through but still creamy inside.
- Cool and chill: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours to set and firm up before slicing.
- Serve: Before serving, drizzle the bars generously with caramel sauce. Cut into squares and enjoy the perfect fall dessert.
Notes
- Use Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor that balances the sweet cheesecake and caramel perfectly.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Line pan with parchment paper with overhang for easy removal of the entire block to cut bars neatly.
- Store leftover bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a nut-free version, omit any optional nuts in streusel if desired.
- Streusel topping adds great texture, but you can omit or substitute with chopped nuts if preferred.
- Drizzle with homemade or store-bought caramel sauce right before serving to keep the bars from getting soggy.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (if 16 bars are made)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, apple cheesecake, fall dessert, autumn bars, caramel dessert, cheesecake bars
