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Decadent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, perfect for a fall dessert.

Classic Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These Classic Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars feature a buttery crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and a spiced apple topping, all finished with a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfect for a fall dessert, they combine the best of cheesecake and apple pie in convenient bar form.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 12 bars
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • parchment paper
  • medium bowl
  • pastry blender or fingertips
  • large bowl
  • electric mixer
  • wire rack

Ingredients
  

For the Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Apple Topping:

  • 2 medium apples Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp work wonderfully, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

For the Caramel Drizzle:

  • ½ cup prepared caramel sauce store-bought or homemade

Instructions
 

Prepare the Crust

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang for easy lifting. Whisk together flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt in a medium bowl, then cut in the cold butter until coarse crumbs form.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

Make the Cheesecake Filling

  • While the crust cools, beat softened cream cheese and ½ cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.

Prepare the Apple Topping

  • In a separate medium bowl, toss the thinly sliced apples with 1 tablespoon sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until they are evenly coated.

Assemble and Bake

  • Pour the cheesecake filling over the warm crust, spreading it evenly, then arrange the spiced apple slices evenly over the cream cheese layer.

Bake the Bars

  • Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set around the edges with a slight jiggle in the center. Avoid overbaking, as it will continue to set as it cools.

Cool and Drizzle

  • Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours (preferably overnight) to firm up completely.

Final Touch

  • Once chilled, gently lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Drizzle generously with caramel sauce before slicing and serving.

Notes

Ensure your cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for a smooth cheesecake filling and an easily mixed crust. For best results and clean slices, thoroughly chill the bars before cutting and serving.