Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are so luscious with layers of creamy cheesecake, apples and the best streusel topping. Everyone will love this easy to make dessert.
Just when you thought cheesecake could not get any better, this amazing caramel apple cheesecake comes along. It is so amazing with all the delicious layers.
We also make Raspberry Cheesecake Bars and Red Velvet Brownies.
If you love Cheesecake and Apple Cake, then you care going to love this recipe. These easy bars are easy to serve at your holiday dinners or for any occasion. The perfect fall dessert.
If you love this flavor, also try Homemade Caramel Apples.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
You get the creamy cheesecake filling with the cinnamon apples. The streusel just brings it all together. It is simply heavenly all topped on a shortbread crust. Delicious layers makes for a rich and decadent dessert.
Ingredients
Crust
- All-purpose Flour. Spoon the flour into a measuring cup. Don’t scoop it or you might pack too much flour into the measuring cup.
- Packed Brown Sugar. Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe
- Butter. Softened at room temperature.
Cheesecake Filling
- Cream Cheese. Softened at room temperature.
- Eggs. I used large eggs.
- Vanilla Extract. Pure vanilla extract will give it the best flavor.
Apples
- Granny Smith Apples. Peeled, cored and finely chopped.
- Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg. These add the perfect amount of fall flavor.
Streusel Topping
- Brown Sugar. Firmly packed.
- Quick Cooking Oats. Make sure to use quick cooking and not old fashion oats.
- Caramel topping. It’s optional but so delicious for drizzling on top after baked.
Find the entire ingredient list at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Seasoning – You can use 1 tsp apple pie spice instead of the cinnamon and nutmeg on the apples if you prefer.
- Crust – We made a shortbread crust for this recipe, but you can also make a graham cracker crust.
- Drizzle different Syrups –You can drizzle with chocolate syrup, chocolate ganache, or caramel syrup.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Step 1 – Heat Oven – First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2. Next, use a medium mixing bowl and combine the flour and brown sugar.
Step 3. Add the butter to the flour and brown sugar. Then cut it into the mixture with a pastry blender or food processor until crumbly. If you don’t have either of these, 2 forks will work.
Step 4. Press this evenly into a 9×13 baking pan. Make sure the pan is greased or lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Step 5. Now, get out another mixing bowl. This time you will need a large bowl. In the bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer. I like to use medium speed and just beat until the mixture is smooth.
Step 6. Once smooth, add the eggs 1 at a time along with the sugar and vanilla. Stir this all together until well combined.
Step 7. Pour the cheesecake layer over the crust.
Step 8. Time for the apple layer. Use a small bowl and stir together the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Step 9. Mix it together and spoon evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
Step 10. You will need another small mixing bowl. Combine all of the ingredients. Then mix in the butter. I prefer to use my hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture. You can’t use a food processor because it will grind up the oats.
Step 11. Now that you have the Streusel topping finished, sprinkle it all over the apples.
Step 12. Finally, bake for about 40 to 45 minutes or until filling is set. It is optional but I like to drizzle the cheesecake with caramel topping.
Step 13. Then serve and enjoy this delicious recipe.
Storage
Store the leftover bars in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can serve these bars cold or heat to serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Food processor- We use ours all the time. This is super handy and will make it easier to make the crust in this recipe.
- Topping- I definitely recommend the optional caramel topping on this amazing dessert. It goes so well with the apples and cheesecake. We love this homemade caramel sauce. It is super easy and really delicious.
- Slicing the Bars – Slice these with a plastic knife to help make clean lines to create perfect bars for serving. You will get a nice clean edge, and it will look great. Make sure the bars have completely cooled before cutting.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – When combining ingredients, we recommend using room-temperature ingredients. This helps to create a smooth and creamy texture.
- Line Pan – We recommend lining the pan with parchment paper. Once the caramel apple cheesecake has cooled, then you can remove and cut them easily.
- Mixer – Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to combine the cheesecake ingredients. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to combine all the ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is the perfect dessert to make ahead of time. You can make it up to a few days ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Add the caramel drizzle when serving.
If the cheesecake bars are stored properly, they will last about 4 days.
Cheesecake bars are easy to serve. You can cut them in different sizes and place on the platters. I like serving bars because they are easy to grab and this way you can have multiple desserts.
We used Granny Smith Apples. The tartness goes well with the sweetness of the cheesecake.
You can use other types of apples such as Gala but the Granny Smith really is amazing in this recipe.
Cut the bars into individual servings. Place on a baking sheet or plate and put in the freezer for just long enough to get firm.
Remove from the freezer and wrap each slice in foil and place inside an airtight freezer container. You can also use a freezer bag but I prefer to use a container so the cheesecake does not get squished.
More Easy Cheesecake Bars
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
- German Chocolate Cake Cheesecake Bars Recipe
- Easy Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bites Recipe
- Slutty Cheesecake Bars
- Oreo Cheesecake Bars
- Lemon Cheesecake Bars
I’m so excited for you to try Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. This recipe is perfect to bring to your next holiday dinner or for a weeknight meal.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter softened
- Cheesecake Filling:
- 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Apples:
- 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and finely chopped, (about 3 cups)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- Optional: ½ cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or food processor (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9×13 baking pan that is greased or lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with ¾ cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
- In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
- For the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture. You can’t use a food processor because it will grind up the oats.
- Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy!
