Description
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a delicious dessert that combines the flavors of creamy cheesecake, tart apples, and sweet caramel, all nestled in a crunchy graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 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. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then let cool while preparing the other layers.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
- Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- In a bowl, mix flour and brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in chopped pecans if using. Sprinkle the streusel over the apple layer.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and 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.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. 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 the cream (it will bubble vigorously). 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
- Chilling the bars for at least 2 hours is recommended for the best texture.
- Feel free to substitute other types of apples if desired.
- The streusel topping can be adjusted with additional spices for more flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg