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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Treat yourself to these caramel apple cheesecake bars, where creamy cheesecake meets sweet caramel and juicy apples.
Course Dessert
Keyword apples, Autumn, bars, cheesecake, squares
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 9 people

Ingredients

For the crust

  • 20 graham crackers or 1.5 cups of crushed graham crackers
  • 4 Tbsp butter melted
  • 3 Tbsp sugar

For the filling

  • 1 and a half 16 oz packages of cream cheese room temperature (24 ounces total)
  • 2 eggs room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup sugar

For the apples

  • 2.5 cups apples diced and peeled
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ginger

For the crumble topping

  • 1/4 cup quick oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup butter softened

For the caramel sauce

  • 5 tbsp butter
  • 5 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of an overhang on the sides for easy removal later.

Make the Crust

  • Toss the graham crackers in a food processor and process them until they fine crumbs.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until everything is well combined and the mixture resembles wet sand.
  • Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to pack it down firmly. Make sure to press down with some serious effort!
  • Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

Prepare the Filling

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
  • Add the sugar and mix until fully incorporated.
  • Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully blended before adding the next.
  • Stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Pour the cream cheese mixture over the pre-baked crust and spread it out evenly.

Prepare the Apples

  • In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and ginger until they are well coated.
  • Evenly distribute the spiced apples over the cream cheese filling.

Make the Crumble Topping

  • In a small bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, and flour.
  • Cut in the softened butter using a fork or pastry blender until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
  • Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.

Bake

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before moving them to the fridge to continue to cool overnight. You definitely want to give cheesecake a LONG time to chill.

Prepare the Caramel Sauce

  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Stir in the brown sugar and milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the sauce cool slightly before drizzling.

Serve

  • Once the bars are cool, cut them into squares.
  • Drizzle the caramel sauce over the bars just before serving.