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Ultimate Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Recipe

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These Ultimate Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel combine a buttery shortbread crust, a velvety cheesecake filling, and a cinnamon-spiced apple streusel topping, all drizzled with caramel. They’re the perfect fall dessert that’s easy to slice, share, and enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 16 oz (two 8-oz blocks) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides. Lightly spray the parchment with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Make the shortbread crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add ½ cup cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Pre-cook the apples: While the crust bakes, place a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just tender. Remove from heat and let cool. Drain any excess liquid.
  4. Make the cheesecake filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add ½ cup sugar and beat until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating on low after each addition until just incorporated. Mix in the sour cream and vanilla. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon flour over the top and mix on low until just combined.
  5. Make the streusel topping: In a separate bowl, whisk together ¾ cup flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Add ½ cup cold butter cubes and cut them in until the mixture forms clumps of various sizes. Refrigerate while assembling the bars.
  6. Assemble the bars: Pour the cheesecake filling over the slightly cooled crust and spread into an even layer. Arrange the pre-cooked apple slices evenly over the cheesecake filling. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples.
  7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just slightly jiggly. The streusel should be golden brown. If the streusel is browning too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  8. Cool and add caramel: Place the pan on a cooling rack and let it cool completely at room temperature, about 1-2 hours. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Once chilled, warm the caramel sauce slightly and drizzle it over the top. Use the parchment to lift the bars out of the pan, then slice into squares.

Notes

Don’t skip pre-cooking the apples to prevent a soggy crust. Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a smooth cheesecake filling. Let the bars chill for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) for clean slices. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, apple streusel bars, fall dessert, cheesecake bars, apple dessert

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/ultimate-caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-with-streusel-recipe/