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Final plated apple cheesecake bars with caramel drizzle

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars: The Ultimate Fall Dessert

 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect fall dessert, combining creamy cheesecake, warm spiced apples, a crunchy streusel topping, and a decadent caramel drizzle. These bars capture all the flavors of autumn, making them perfect for any seasonal gathering or cozy night in.

  • Total Time: 3 hours (includes chilling time)
  • Yield: 12-16 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for GF option)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Cheesecake Layer:

  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Apple Layer:

  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Streusel Topping:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup old-fashioned oats
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup melted butter

Caramel Drizzle:

  • ½ cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce

Instructions

 

  1. Prepare the Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Press into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool slightly.
  2. Make the Cheesecake Layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each. Stir in vanilla and spread over the cooled crust.
  3. Prepare the Apple Layer: Toss diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread evenly over cheesecake layer.
  4. Make the Streusel Topping: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter. Sprinkle over apple layer.
  5. Bake and Chill: Bake for 40-45 minutes, until streusel is golden and cheesecake layer is set. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours.
  6. Add Caramel Drizzle: After chilling, cut into bars and drizzle with caramel sauce.

Notes

  • You can make these bars up to 2 days ahead of time. Store in the fridge and drizzle with caramel just before serving.
  • For gluten-free bars, use a gluten-free baking blend and ensure the oats are certified gluten-free.
  • For a nutty twist, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
  • Author: Anna Gomez
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: per serving
  • Calories: 250-300
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 140mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

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