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Caramel apple cheesecake bars with a cream cheese layer, apple chunks, caramel drizzle, and streusel topping.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel

Make-ahead caramel apple cheesecake bars with a brown sugar crust, spiced Granny Smith apples, and streusel, chilled 5 hours and finished with homemade caramel. Serves 16.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Chill Time 5 hours
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 680

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 g
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 110 g
  • 1 cup salted butter 227 g, softened
Streusel
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar 220 g
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour 120 g
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking oats 45 g
  • 1/2 cup salted butter 113 g, softened
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Apples
  • 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and finely chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 25 g
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Filling
  • 3 bricks full-fat cream cheese 24 oz, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 200 g
  • 3 large eggs + 2 yolks
  • 1 cup sour cream 240 g
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Assembly and Baking
Caramel
  • 1/4 cup salted butter 57 g
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar 220 g
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream 120 ml, room temp
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method
 

Crust
  1. Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and fit a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender, work in butter until crumbly. Firmly press into the pan and bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned, then cool.
Streusel
  1. While the crust bakes, use a fork to mix brown sugar, flour, oats, butter, and cinnamon in the same bowl. Cover and chill.
Apples
  1. In another bowl, toss apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
Filling
  1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Scrape bowl and beat again. With mixer on low, add eggs and yolks one at a time, then mix in sour cream and vanilla.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Spread cheesecake filling over warm crust. Stir apples, then spoon evenly over cheesecake. Break up streusel and sprinkle over apples.
  2. Bake for 20 minutes, then lower heat to 300°F (150°C) and bake for 40-45 minutes, until edges are set and center jiggles slightly. Cool completely on counter, then cover and refrigerate for 5 hours or overnight.
Caramel
  1. In a medium pot over medium-low heat, combine butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream. Stir and bring to a simmer, cooking until sugar dissolves and caramel thickens, about 8 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Transfer to a heatproof container and cool.
  3. To serve, cut cheesecake into squares and drizzle with caramel. Serve and enjoy!