Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping... say that 10 times fast and then start baking these immediately! This recipe mixes two great recipes- apple crisp and cheesecake cookie bars- perfection!!
Okay. Let's break this down shall we... word by word. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping. First - caramel. Salted caramel to be exact. Pretty much we're off to the best start. Apple - my favorite fruit this time of year. Cheesecake - hello always. I live for a cheesecake bar. And lastly, Streusel topping. I mean, have you ever heard of a more incredible combo! I think not.
For this recipe, you can use any variety you like - I opted for a Granny Smith because this is kinda sweet so the tart apple balances it all out. There is so much you can do with apples, you got my mom's apple crisp, the easy cinnamon apple cake and apple oatmeal cups for Poppy!!
It's creamy and sweet and tart and crunchy and then it's drizzled with salted caramel sauce. I'm not even going to bother cutting these into squares next time I make them... I'm going in with a spoon straight to the pan! Thank you very much. Christmas dessert is officially handled!
Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 blocks cream cheese, softened 16 oz total
- ½ cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and cubed into
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce
Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup butter softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a fork until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese with ½ cup sugar until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
- In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel Topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel sauce.
To make the Streusel Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix together until chunky and the butter is incorporated into the dry ingredients.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson // Recipe adapted from Food Network
Super quick and easy and so, so tasty. I made a salted caramel sauce and drizzled it on top before serving. I think slicing the apples thinly worked really well, though I baked it a little longer than 30 minutes. This one is definitely a keeper!
So easy to make and they are so delicious for dessert or for breakfast with a cup of coffee.
I made some caramel sauce and served it on a side for extra drizzle.
My favorite dessert this Thanksgiving.
Thank you!
These were so easy, and they were INCREDIBLE. My only note would be to add the caramel right before you serve. It makes the streusel a bit soggy - but it was still delicious. Thank you, Gaby!
Do you use self-rising or all-purpose flour in the crust? Cant’t wait to make these!
all purpose flour!
How big should the apple pieces be. That part is missing in the recipe above.
Incredible!! Fairly simple and such a short turn around time for cheesecake. Will definitely make again!