Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Decadent layered dessert bars with a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, spiced apples, streusel topping, and homemade caramel sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Total Time: 3 hr 15 min
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
16 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium Granny Smith apples (peeled and diced)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment.
- Mix crumbs, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Press into pan. Pre-bake for 10 min.
- Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Pour over crust.
- Toss diced apples with lemon juice. Mix with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, and nutmeg. Scatter over cheesecake layer.
- Combine flour and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Mix in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake for 40-45 min until set and golden. Cool completely, then chill for at least 2 hours.
- For caramel: Cook 1 cup sugar and water to amber color. Remove from heat, whisk in cream, then 2 tbsp butter and salt. Cool slightly.
- Slice chilled bars and drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
- For clean slices, use a hot knife.
- Bars keep covered in fridge for up to 4 days.
- Omit pecans for a nut-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg