Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Starting with a brown sugar shortbread crust, these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars cradle an easy to make, velvety cheesecake layer. On top, a crunchy layer of apples is crowned with a buttery streusel topping and ribbons of caramel. It's the all-occasion fall dessert bar to make this season. This caramel apple dessert is also perfect for Thanksgiving dessert.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars, Apple Cheesecake Bars, Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, Thanksgiving Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 45

Cooling: 2 30

Total Time 3 40

Servings

Calories 567kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup butter room temperature

Cheesecake Filling:

3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsps. vanilla extract

Apple Layer:

3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and chopped into small, bite-sized pieces
2 tbsps. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats*
1/2 cup butter room temperature

Garnish:

1/2 cup caramel sauce to drizzle

Instructions

Shortbread Crust:

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9x13 baking pan by lining it with parchment paper (leave an overhang for easy removal) and coated with coking spray.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, food processor, or two forks, cut in the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press this crumbly mixture evenly into the baking pan.
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cup butter
Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until it turns lightly browned.

Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer at medium speed to beat together the cream cheese and sugar until the mixture becomes smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, along with the vanilla extract, ensuring you scrape the bowl to prevent any lumps. Pour this creamy mixture over the warm crust.
3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3 large eggs, 2 tsps. vanilla extract

Prepare the Apples:

In another medium-sized bowl, stir together the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon this apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
3 Granny Smith apples, 2 tbsps. granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Prepare the Streusel Topping:

In a small bowl, thoroughly mix together the brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter using a spoon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the apple layer.
1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats*, 1/2 cup butter
Place the pan in the oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the filling is set.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack until room temperature, then chill for at least 1 hour. Chill longer if you want those perfect, clean slices.

Finish with Caramel Sauce:

Prior to serving, drizzle the cheesecake bars with caramel sauce. These bars can be served with whipped cream or ice cream for added indulgence.
1/2 cup caramel sauce to drizzle

Notes

*To make quick-cooking oats from regular oats, pulse them in the food processor a few times, which makes them smaller.

For optimal outcomes when preparing this, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes that are not presented here, such how to make these bars dairy-free, gluten free, vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

Nutrition