Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate fall dessert with layers of buttery graham crust, creamy cheesecake, cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crumbly streusel topping, all finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Layer
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work best
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold, cubed
Topping
- ½ cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
- Make the crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar in a bowl. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let cool slightly.
- Make the cheesecake filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract. Pour the mixture evenly over the baked crust.
- Prepare the apple layer: Toss sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Arrange evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Make the streusel topping: Mix brown sugar, flour, and oats in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly, then sprinkle evenly over the apples.
Baking and Cooling
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is set and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to chill and firm.
Serving
- Drizzle generously with caramel sauce before slicing into bars. Serve chilled or slightly warmed for a gooey, decadent finish.
Notes
Perfect Apples: Use a blend of tart and sweet apples for depth of flavor — Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness. Make Ahead: These bars keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. For Extra Flavor: Add a pinch of sea salt over the caramel for a salted caramel twist. Serving Idea: Pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an indulgent dessert.