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Best Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars (Easy Homemade Recipe)

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These caramel apple cheesecake bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, creamy cheesecake filling, tender spiced apples, and a drizzle of caramel. They’re simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for company.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed (113g)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened (two 8-ounce blocks)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 450g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed (25g)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized butter pieces. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are just golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. While crust bakes, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add ½ cup sugar and beat until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract until smooth.
  5. Pour cheesecake filling over warm crust and spread evenly. Spoon pre-cooked apples over the filling. Drizzle ½ cup caramel sauce over apples and gently swirl with a knife.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are set and center has a slight jiggle. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  7. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably 4 hours or overnight) until fully set.
  8. Use parchment overhang to lift the block out of the pan. Slice into 16 squares with a sharp knife, wiping blade clean between cuts. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip pre-cooking the apples to prevent a watery filling. Room temperature ingredients ensure a smooth cheesecake. For clean slices, chill thoroughly and wipe the knife between cuts. Bars taste even better on day two.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, apple cheesecake bars, fall dessert, cheesecake bars, apple dessert, caramel apple dessert

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/best-caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-easy-homemade-recipe/