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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 14 reviews

Delight in these luscious Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery crumb crust, creamy apple-infused cheesecake filling, spiced diced apples, and a crunchy oat streusel topping, all drizzled with rich caramel sauce for the perfect fall dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

Filling:

  • Three 8 oz blocks cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon Martinelli’s Apple Juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt

Apples:

  • 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Martinelli’s Apple Juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Streusel Topping:

  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Serving:

  • Caramel sauce, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt. Cut in the softened unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture is crumbly and moist. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the Filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure full incorporation. Then, mix in Martinelli’s Apple Juice, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt until the filling is smooth and combined.
  4. Assemble the Filling Layer: Pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust and spread it evenly using a spatula.
  5. Prepare the Apples: In a small bowl, toss the diced Granny Smith apples with packed light brown sugar, Martinelli’s Apple Juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves until the apples are thoroughly coated. Distribute the spiced apples evenly over the cheesecake filling layer.
  6. Make the Streusel Topping: Whisk together the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, oats, and ground cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in the softened unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the layer of apples.
  7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is just slightly jiggly when gently shaken.
  8. Cool and Chill: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least two hours to set fully.
  9. Serve: Before slicing, drizzle the bars with caramel sauce. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the filling.
  • Use tart Granny Smith apples for a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.
  • The caramel drizzle adds richness but can be omitted or replaced with store-bought caramel sauce.
  • For easier cutting, warm the knife slightly before slicing the bars.
  • Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, caramel apple dessert, fall desserts, cheesecake bars, apple streusel bars

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-recipe/