Description
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine creamy cheesecake, buttery graham crust, spiced apple topping, and a rich caramel drizzle for a dessert that’s pure fall comfort. Easy to make, perfectly layered, and guaranteed to impress at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Apple Topping:
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- For the Caramel Drizzle:
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra overhang for easy lifting.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press evenly into the pan and bake for 8–10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla, then mix until creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Pour over the cooled crust.
- Cook Apple Topping: In a skillet, melt a bit of butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Cook for 3–5 minutes until just softened. Spread evenly over cheesecake layer.
- Make Crumb Topping: In a bowl, combine flour, oats, and brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over apples.
- Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the center is set and the topping is golden brown. Cool to room temperature, then chill for at least 2 hours.
- Finish with Caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce over the chilled bars before slicing. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
For best results, chill the bars overnight before slicing. Substitute vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies for the crust. For a twist, add chopped pecans to the crumb topping or a sprinkle of sea salt over the caramel for a salted caramel variation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg