Description
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars feature a graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake filling, a spiced apple layer, a crunchy streusel topping, and a homemade caramel drizzle. They are a perfect fall dessert.
Ingredients
- For the Crust: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- For the Cheesecake Layer: 16 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Apple Layer: 3 medium Granny Smith apples peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- For the Streusel Topping: ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- ¼ cup chopped pecans optional
- For the Caramel Sauce: 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool while preparing the other layers.
- Prepare the cheesecake layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
- Make the apple layer: Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Create the streusel topping: In a bowl, mix flour and brown sugar.
- Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Stir in chopped pecans if using.
- Sprinkle the streusel over the apple layer.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the streusel is golden and the cheesecake is set.
- Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Make the caramel sauce: In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat to medium-high and cook without stirring until the mixture turns amber (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and carefully whisk in cream (it will bubble vigorously).
- Stir in butter and salt until smooth.
- Let cool slightly.
- Serve: Cut the chilled bars into squares.
- Drizzle with warm caramel sauce just before serving.
Notes
- Chilling time of at least 2 hours is required before serving.
- If you do not have pecans, you can omit them from the streusel.
- Be careful when whisking heavy cream into the hot sugar mixture; it will bubble up quickly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American