Home > Desserts > Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars October 10, 2018 | 14 Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. On the hunt for the ultimate fall dessert? Look no further than these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars! Imagine this: fresh apples and a crispy streusel topping paired with smooth cheesecake, all topped off with a generous drizzle of caramel. After enjoying this cheesecake, try these next: Cheesecake Bars, Thin Mint Cheesecake, and Chocolate Cheesecake. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars The moment fall hits, it’s like a switch flips, igniting an instant craving for all things apple! Enter Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars: your answer to those autumnal dessert dreams. They’re a crowd-pleaser, inspired by the rave-worthy Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, but with a juicy apple kick. So, if you’re eager to tackle some seasonal baking that’s sure to impress at any holiday gathering? Let’s get started — it’s baking time! Ingredients In Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars CRUST Cinnamon graham crackers, butter, and sugar: These combine to create a sweet, spiced, and crunchy foundation for the bars. The butter holds the cracker crumbs together, while the sugar enhances the crust’s sweetness. CHEESECAKE FILLING Cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt: These ingredients blend together to form the smooth, creamy, and sweet layer of the cheesecake. The cream cheese provides the classic tang, eggs add structure, vanilla offers a hint of flavor, while the sugar sweetens the mix, and salt balances the sweetness. STREUSEL Brown sugar, flour, quick oats, chopped pecans, and butter: These ingredients create the crumbly, sweet, and slightly nutty topping that adds texture and a rich, buttery flavor to the bars. The brown sugar contributes sweetness and moisture, flour and oats provide structure, pecans add a nutty crunch, and butter binds everything while contributing richness. How To Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Making Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars involves preparing four main components: the crust, cheesecake, apple layer, and streusel. Despite multiple layers, each step is straightforward and leads to a stunning dessert! Crust: This simple base combines cinnamon graham crackers, butter, and sugar. Just create crumbs from the crackers, mix them with sugar and butter, and press the mixture into a parchment-lined pan. No cinnamon crackers? Use regular ones and add a teaspoon of cinnamon. Cheesecake: The key to a creamy cheesecake is room-temperature, full-fat cream cheese. Blend it with sugar until smooth, then incorporate eggs, vanilla, and salt without over-beating. Apple Layer: Use quality Granny Smith apples for this part. After peeling, coring, and chopping them, mix with lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Needing to prep apples ahead of time? Here’s how you can prep them without browning. Streusel: This delicious topping is easy! Combine brown sugar, flour, quick oats, and chopped pecans, then blend in softened butter. For a lighter streusel, reduce the quantities. Assembly: Spread the cheesecake mix over the cooled crust, layer the apples on top, and finish with a generous helping of streusel. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until set. Cool it down, then cut into bars and serve with caramel sauce for extra indulgence! QUICK TIP If you don’t have cinnamon graham crackers available for the crust, you can use regular graham crackers and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the mixture. How To Serve Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Let the bars cool and set, ideally overnight, or for a minimum of three hours (one hour at room temperature, two hours in the fridge). They taste good cold but are best at room temperature; allow 30 minutes for them to warm slightly before serving. Cut into 24 small pieces for the ideal serving size, using parchment paper for easy removal and a hot knife for clean slices. Serve with a light drizzle of your favorite Caramel Sauce, either store-bought or homemade. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars FAQs1Can You Freeze Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars?Yes, you can freeze Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. Ensure they are fully cooled and set, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. They can be stored frozen for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving. 2Do Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Need To Be Refrigerated? Yes, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars need to be refrigerated due to the cream cheese content. They should be stored in an airtight container and can be kept for up to 5 days. 3What's The Difference Between Streusel And Strudel?Streusel is a crumbly topping made from butter, sugar, and flour, often used on baked goods. Strudel is a pastry made from multiple thin layers of dough rolled up with filling inside. Other Delicious Apple Desserts: Apple Cobbler with a buttery cookie crumble Apple Nachos with lots of fun topping ideas Caramel Apple Bites only three ingredients! Apple Smoothie with cinnamon Apple Bread Recipe with shredded apple pieces FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Caramel Apple Cheesecake 4.80 from 5 votes - Review this recipe On the hunt for the ultimate fall dessert? Look no further than these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars! Imagine this: fresh apples and a crispy streusel topping paired with smooth cheesecake, all topped off with a generous drizzle of caramel. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Caramel Apple Cheesecake 4.80 from 5 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe On the hunt for the ultimate fall dessert? Look no further than these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars! Imagine this: fresh apples and a crispy streusel topping paired with smooth cheesecake, all topped off with a generous drizzle of caramel. Course Dessert Cuisine American Keyword caramel apple cheesecake Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Cook Time 30 minutes minutes Resting Time 3 hours hours Total Time 50 minutes minutes Servings 24 bars Chelsea Lords Calories 251kcal Author Chelsea Lords IngredientsCrust▢ 12 full sheets cinnamon graham crackers▢ 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted▢ 3 tablespoons white sugarCheesecake Filling▢ 3 packages (8 ounces EACH) full fat Kroger Cream Cheese, softened▢ 3/4 cup white sugar▢ 3 large Simple Truth Pasture Raised Eggs▢ 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract▢ 1/4 teaspoon fine sea saltApple Layer▢ 3 large Simple Truth Organic Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped▢ 1 teaspoon lemon juice▢ 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar▢ 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon▢ 1/4 teaspoon nutmegStreusel▢ 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed▢ 1 cup flour▢ 1/2 cup quick cooking oats*▢ 1/4 cup Kroger Baking Pecans, finely chopped▢ 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into small cubes▢ Caramel Sauce, homemade or store-bought InstructionsCrustPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper.Begin by placing the graham crackers into a blender. Pulse until all the crackers are crumbs. Add in the sugar and melted stick of butter and mix until combined.Press the graham cracker mix into the pan until even and firm. Bake for 8 minutes. Cheesecake fillingWhile the crust is baking, prepare your cheesecake filling. Begin by beating the three packages of SOFTENED cream cheese and 3/4 cup white sugar together. Beat on low and even speeds. Once smooth, add the eggs, vanilla, and salt. Beat until incorporated and smooth, being careful not to over beat the mix. Let the mix sit until the crust has baked and slightly cooled (it should still be warm but not hot). Pour the cheesecake mixture evenly over the slightly cooled crust.Apple fillingMixed the peeled, cored, and finely chopped apples with the lemon juice. Toss with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. StreuselMix the brown sugar, flour, quick oats, and finely chopped pecans together. Add the cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Incorporate by gently mixing the ingredients together with your hands until the butter holds all the dry ingredients together. Assembling, Cooking, and Serving the Apple Cheesecake BarsSpoon the apples evenly over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the bars. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F or until filling is set. Remove from oven and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Transfer to the fridge for 2 hours.When ready to serve, use the parchment paper to pull the cheesecake bars out of the pan. Cut into bars. Drizzle with caramel sauce and enjoy! Video Recipe Notes*The video shows old fashioned oats, but quick oats are the best to use for the streusel! Nutrition FactsCalories: 251kcal We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
Oh man, I can’t wait to try these out! As much as I love the Pumpkin Cheesecake bars, I think I love apple desserts more! Sounds and looks amazing! Thanks, Chelsea!!! Reply
Hi there! I wanted to see if you could freeze them. Id like to make these in advance for christmas. Reply
Unfortunately these won’t freeze great (most dairy-filled recipes don’t), but the streusel especially makes these not a great candidate for freezing as it would get soggy/soft as it thaws. Reply
Do you think this would work with gluten free graham crackers and gluten free flour for the streusel? Reply
Knew I had to make these . Even thou they were a little work, they turned out perfect and now get to try them out on the family. Of course I had to sample and it was delicious. Will definitely make again. Reply
This by far is my favorite recipe to make.. so super yummy and easy to make.. my family loves it and requests it often… Reply
There was a lot of the streusel/topping. Made the top kind of hard and a bit dry. I think half the recipe would be a bit better, for my taste. Otherwise, everyone loved it! Reply
You are welcome to half the streusel for personal preferences! I wonder if you had enough butter for the topping? It’s always so moist and delicious for us! Reply
