Description
Delicious Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, fresh apples, and a rich caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Apple Layer:
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon for the crust.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool while preparing the other layers.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth for the cheesecake layer.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
- Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the apple layer.
- Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Mix flour and brown sugar for the streusel topping.
- Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
- Stir in chopped pecans if using.
- Sprinkle the streusel over the apple layer.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the streusel is golden and the cheesecake is set.
- Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- For the caramel sauce, combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat to medium-high and cook without stirring until the mixture turns amber (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and carefully whisk in cream.
- Stir in butter and salt until smooth. Let cool slightly.
- Cut the chilled bars into squares and drizzle with warm caramel sauce just before serving.
Notes
- The Perfect Crust: Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes for extra crunch.
- Creamy Cheesecake Layer: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth mixture.
- Apple Selection: Use Granny Smith for tartness, or mix with Honeycrisp or Braeburn.
- Caramel Sauce: Watch the caramel closely to prevent burning.
- Serving and Storage: Best served chilled, store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, dessert, cheesecake, caramel, apple