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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars start with a shortbread crust, a thick cheesecake layer, and are topped with diced cinnamon apples and a sweet streusel topping. These are a tried and true cheesecake bar dessert recipe.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars on a plate

CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS

I can’t believe it’s the end of September and I haven’t posted any apple desserts yet. That’s insane.
 
For me, September is all about the apple!
 
I’ve been making this Paula Deen recipe for a couple of years now and they’ve always been good but they always needed a little more cheesecake filling in my opinion to match the thick crust and ample streusel topping.
 
So I increased the cheesecake filling and these are even better than I remember.
 
It may seem like a lot of steps but they actually come together quickly and are well worth your time.
 
These are always what I take when I’m feeding a crowd.

WHAT ARE CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS?

These have a flaky shortbread crust, a simple cheesecake filling, and has cinnamon apples and a brown sugar streusel on top. Drizzle caramel sauce on top when serving. I like Mrs. Richardson’s caramel or any other brand that’s on the thicker side.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
 
You can add the caramel on top right before serving or before you chill them.
 
This recipe is always requested any time I bring it anywhere.

CAN I FREEZE THESE CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS?

Absolutely. You can freeze these caramel apple cheesecake bars. Just like most cheesecakes, this recipe freezes well. Just make sure to save the caramel topping for when serving.

OTHER APPLE RECIPES:

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4.66 from 69 votes
Yield: 16 bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
50 mins

These creamy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars start with a shortbread crust, a thick cheesecake layer, and are topped with diced cinnamon apples and a sweet streusel topping.

Ingredients

Crust:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
Cheesecake Filling:
  • 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Apples:
  • 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
  • 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
Drizzle:
  • 1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
  3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 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.
  4. In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
  5. 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.
  6. 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! Make 16 servings.

Recipe Notes

Source: adapted from Paula Deen

Author: Christy Denney
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: caramel apple cheesecake bar recipe, caramel apple cheesecake bars
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