Description
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, creamy spiced cheesecake filling, cinnamon-sugar apples, and a brown sugar crumble—all drizzled with gooey caramel. The ultimate fall dessert bar!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- For the Apple Layer:
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and finely diced apples
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- For the Caramel Drizzle:
- 1/4 cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the Crust: Mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly. Press into bottom of pan. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and cinnamon. Spread over baked crust.
- Make the Apple Layer: Toss diced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread evenly over cheesecake layer.
- Make Crumb Topping: Combine brown sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until center is set and top is golden. Cool completely, then chill at least 2 hours.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce before slicing into bars and serving.
Notes
Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These bars slice best when chilled. Add a pinch of sea salt to your caramel for a salted twist!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Fall Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 135mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, fall dessert bars, apple cream cheese bars, thanksgiving dessert