Description
Decadent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with a buttery crust, creamy cheesecake, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a rich caramel drizzle.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shortbread Crust:
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 ounces (452g) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Apple Topping:
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Caramel Drizzle:
- ½ cup (about 12) soft caramel candies, unwrapped
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Crust – Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla, then mix in flour and salt. Press into pan and bake for 18-20 minutes until golde
- Step 2: Make the Creamy Cheesecake Filling – Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, then eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla and flour. Pour over crust
- Step 3: Cook the Apple Topping – Melt butter in a saucepan, add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook 5-7 minutes until apples are tender. Spoon over cheesecake filling
- Step 4: Bake and Cool – Bake for 35-40 minutes until edges are set. Cool in oven for 1 hour, then room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours
- Step 5: Add the Caramel Drizzle – Microwave caramel candies with heavy cream until smooth. Drizzle over chilled bars
Notes
For best results, use room temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing to prevent cracks.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg