Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
The perfect fall dessert with a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, spiced apples, and crumbly streusel, all drizzled with caramel sauce.
Ingredients
- For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Apple Layer:
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- ¼ cup chopped pecans optional
- For the Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Make the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Press into a 9x13-inch pan and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Layer
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Pour over the crust.
- Apple Layer
- Toss apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Spread over the cheesecake layer.
- Streusel Topping
- Mix flour and brown sugar. Cut in cold butter and add pecans.
- Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake and Cool
- Bake for 45–50 minutes. Cool, then chill for 2 hours.
- Caramel Sauce
- Heat sugar and water until amber-colored.
- Whisk in cream, then stir in butter and salt.
- Serve
- Slice bars and drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.