Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
 
 
Don't be intimidated by the many parts of this recipe - it's all worth it in the end!
Yield: 24 bars
Ingredients
Crust
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter
Cheesecake
  • 2 packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
Apples
  • 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
Streusel
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup quick oats
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
Caramel
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cups half-and-half or cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut butter into small chunks. Using a pastry blender or two butter knives, cut in the butter until crumbly. Press firmly and evenly into the baking dish. Bake 15 minutes, until lightly browned.
  3. Combine apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl and toss to evenly coat the apples. Set aside.
  4. Combine streusel topping ingredients (brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and butter) and stir until crumbly.
  5. Beat cream cheese and ½ cup sugar on medium speed until combined and smooth. Add eggs one at a time and beat to incorporate. Beat in vanilla.
  6. Pour cream cheese mixture over the crust. Spread apples on top of the cream cheese. Sprinkle streusel evenly on top of the apples.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until cheesecake is set. Cool completely and then refrigerate until ready to serve. Best served chilled.
  8. For the caramel, combine ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer for ten minutes, whisking frequently, until thickened. Keep refrigerated, but warm slightly before drizzling onto the bars. You can, of course, also use your favorite store-bought caramel.
Recipe by Baked In at https://www.baked-in.com/2012/10/27/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars/