Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Introduction

These caramel apple cheesecake bars combine a rich, creamy cheesecake layer with tender apples and a buttery streusel topping. Finished with a homemade caramel sauce, they’re a perfect dessert for autumn or any cozy gathering.

Ingredients

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 medium Granny Smith apples (peeled and diced)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Make the crust by mixing graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool.
3. Step 3: Prepare the cheesecake layer by beating cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour evenly over the cooled crust.
4. Step 4: Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread this apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
5. Step 5: For the streusel topping, mix flour and brown sugar in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until crumbly and stir in pecans if using. Sprinkle streusel over the apples.
6. Step 6: Bake the bars for 45-50 minutes, until the streusel is golden and cheesecake is set. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
7. Step 7: Make the caramel sauce by heating sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and cook without stirring until amber colored (8-10 minutes). Remove from heat and carefully whisk in cream (it will bubble), then stir in butter and salt until smooth. Let cool slightly.
8. Step 8: Cut the chilled bars into squares and drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance with the sweet caramel and cheesecake layers.
• Swap pecans for walnuts or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
• For easier slicing, chill bars thoroughly before cutting to prevent crumbling.
• Make the caramel sauce ahead and store it in the fridge; gently warm before serving.

Storage

Store the cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat drizzled caramel sauce gently before serving if desired. These bars can also be frozen for up to one month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Yes, you can use other tart apples like Honeycrisp or Braeburn, but Granny Smith apples hold their shape well and offer a nice tart contrast.

How do I prevent the caramel sauce from hardening?

Store caramel sauce in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Reheat gently over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to maintain a smooth texture.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 109 reviews

Delight in these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake layer, tart spiced apples, and a crunchy pecan streusel topping, all drizzled with a luscious homemade caramel sauce. Perfect for a fall dessert or special occasion treat.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cheesecake Layer

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Apple Layer

• 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Streusel Topping

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Caramel Sauce

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal.
2. Make the crust: In a bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, granulated sugar, and cinnamon until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even layer.
3. Bake the crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to set it. Remove and allow it to cool while preparing other layers.
4. Prepare the cheesecake layer: Beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Assemble cheesecake layer: Pour the cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crust and spread it out smoothly.
6. Prepare the apple layer: In a bowl, toss the peeled and diced Granny Smith apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to coat the pieces evenly and add flavor and tartness.
7. Add apple layer: Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
8. Create streusel topping: In a separate bowl, mix the flour and brown sugar. Cut in the cold cubed butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly. Stir in chopped pecans if using for added texture and flavor.
9. Sprinkle streusel: Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the apple layer to cover it completely.
10. Bake the bars: Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the streusel topping is golden brown and the cheesecake layer is set.
11. Cool and chill: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow them to firm up before serving.
12. Make caramel sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine granulated sugar and water, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and cook without stirring until the mixture turns a rich amber color (about 8-10 minutes). Remove from heat and carefully whisk in heavy cream—the mixture will bubble vigorously. Stir in butter and salt until smooth. Let the sauce cool slightly.
13. Serve: Cut the chilled bars into squares and drizzle with the warm caramel sauce before serving for an indulgent finish.

Notes

• Ensure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake layer.
• Using Granny Smith apples provides a tart flavor that balances the sweetness of the caramel and streusel.
• The caramel sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator; gently rewarm before serving.
• For a nut-free version, omit the pecans from the streusel topping.
• These bars keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, apple dessert, cheesecake bars, fall dessert, caramel sauce, streusel topping