Description

A perfect dessert for cozy evenings or festive fall gatherings, these cheesecake bars combine the sweet nostalgia of caramel apples with a creamy cheesecake layer and a buttery crust. Easy to make and irresistible to taste, they’re ideal for sharing with family and friends or enjoying as a special treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Cheesecake Layer:

16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon juice

For the Apple Layer:

3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
2 tbsp unsalted butter
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg

For the Caramel Topping:

½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Optional: sea salt for sprinkling

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust and spread evenly.
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 5–7 minutes until apples are slightly softened but still firm. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Spoon cooked apples evenly over the cheesecake layer and gently press them in. Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with sea salt if desired.
Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheesecake is set but slightly jiggly in the center. Cool completely at room temperature.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Cut into squares and serve, optionally drizzling extra caramel on top.

Notes

For best results, chill bars for at least 2 hours before slicing. Experiment with different apple varieties or crust options for customized flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes