Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe (w/ Crumble Topping)

Caramel topping dripping down caramel apple cheesecake bars with thinly sliced apples in the foreground.

5 from 1 vote

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe (w/ Crumble Topping)

Move over pumpkin! This Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe is the go-to dessert for late summer and fall. A brown sugar cookie base, topped with creamy cheesecake filling, spiced apples, and a buttery oat crumble. After baking to golden perfection, they’re drizzled with rich caramel sauce. And the best part? No water bath needed!

These bars are just one in the collection of our cheesecake recipes — creamy, delicious treats that are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday get-together or a cozy night at home.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 461kcal

Author: Danielle

Equipment

hand beaters
9 x 13 baking pan
Bowls
serrated knife optional but very helpful

Ingredients

Baking spray

Crust

2 cups flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter softened

Apples

3 apples - peeled cored, and thinly sliced
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoon granulated sugar

Crumble Topping

1 cup flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup oats
½ cup butter softened
1 egg white

Cheesecake Filling

2 8 ounce cream cheese softened
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla extract

Serving

½ cup caramel sauce Thick consistency like Mrs. Richardson

Instructions

Preparing Components

Preheat oven to 350º. Prep a 9x13 baking pan with parchment. Lightly spray with baking spray. Make sure all ingredients are prepped and ready.
Baking spray
Mix flour, butter, and brown sugar with food processor until crumbly. Alternatively, use a fork or pastry cutter. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are golden brown and dough is just underbaked whicih will look moist but not wet.
2 cups flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 1 cup butter
While the crust is baking place apples in medium bowl and toss with 2 tablespoon sugar, cinnamon and the nutmeg. Set aside.
3 apples - peeled, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
Make crumb topping by combining the brown sugar, flour, oats, and softened butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter and mix until crumbly. Stir in egg white until just mixed. Set aside.
1 cup flour, 1 cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup oats, ½ cup butter, 1 egg white
In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the cream cheese and ½ cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed until just combined.
2 8 ounce cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 t vanilla extract

Assembling cheesecake bars

Pour the cream cheese mixture over warm, but no hot, crust.
Spread the apples evenly over the top of the filling.
Spoon topping over the apples.
Bake for 30-40 minutes. Filling should be set and the streusel is golden. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan, lift out. Cool completely.
For the best looking pieces, pop the pan into the refrigerator until fully chilled or pop in the freezer for 30 minutes. The colder they are the cleaner the cuts will be. Using a serrated knife cut into squares. Transfer to serving platter and drizzle generously with a thick caramel sauce.
½ cup caramel sauce

Notes

Tips & Tricks

- Be sure to bake the crust until it’s just slightly underbaked—golden brown edges but still a little moist, not wet.

- After peeling the apples, try to get the bars in the oven pretty quickly. The longer they sit, the more juice the apples release, which can make the bars too runny.

- For nice clean cuts, chill the bars until they’re really cold, or even pop them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Our secret weapon for perfect slices? This serrated knife.

How to Freeze

There are two ways to freeze these bars. First, after they’re baked and completely cooled, wrap the uncut bars in plastic wrap, then foil, and pop them in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, let them thaw for about an hour, then cut with a sharp serrated knife and drizzle with caramel.

The second option is for leftover squares. Place the already cut bars on a cookie sheet, making sure they don’t touch. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, just thaw and enjoy!

Nutrition