Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Apple cheesecake bars are very popular for quite a few years now and they are worth it. As fall is here and apples are in season I just had to try this recipe by myself.

Just imagine, a buttery crust topped with creamy cheese and tender apples and streusel topping made with rolled oats and almonds. And that is not all…everything is drizzled with caramel sauce. This is by far one of the best fall desserts. Simply love the use of apples in a cheesecake and the caramel sauce is like the cherry on the top.

I made a few changes to the original recipe, added ground almonds in both the crust and streusel topping, reduced the sugar where possible, added some lemon zest for a bit of citrus flavor. You have to believe me… these caramel apple cheesecake bars are AMAZING, literally melts in your mouth. All the cake was gone faster than I expected, even my little picky daughters devoured it.

Hope you will give this Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars a try this fall. The recipe is not complicated at all, you don’t need more than 20 minutes to prepare it. Don’t be scared of the long list of ingredients and steps, it goes quickly, just follow the steps and you will be DELIGHTED as we were. If you want a smaller cake just reduce everything to half and use an 8X8 inches baking dish. I would recommend though making the large one as everybody will want a second bar:)

Caramel pouring over a Cheesecake Bar

RELATED POSTS:
Apple Crumble
Apple Upside Down Cake
Dumplings with apple filling

Recipe adapted after Food Network

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

5 from 1 vote
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars - buttery crust, creamy cheese, tender apples, streusel topping, everything drizzled with caramel sauce - the best fall dessert.
Servings 15 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • 1 cup (2 sticks-220g) unsalted butter , room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) flour
  • 1/2 cup (50g) ground almonds
  • 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) salt
  • 1/2 tsp (2g) cinnamon

Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 16 oz (500g) cream cheese , room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
  • 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp (5g) lemon zest

Apples

  • 3 cups apples (about 3-4 apples) -  peeled, cored, chopped
  • 1 tbsp (15g) sugar
  • 1/2 tsp (2g) cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) nutmeg

Streusel Topping

  • 1/2 cup (50g) rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (63g) flour
  • 1/2 cup (50g) ground almonds
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick-110g) butter , room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp (1g) ground cinnamon

Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup (200g) sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • 1/2 cup (120g) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter , room temperature
  • 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp (5g) salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease with butter a 9 X 13 inches baking dish.Line with parchment paper.
  • Prepare the crust. In a large bowl combine flour, ground almonds, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the butter and using a pastry blender or simply a fork cut in the butter until crumbles are formed.
  • Press the mixture onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish and bake for about 15-20 minutes until lightly golden brown. Set aside and let cool slightly.
    Apple Cheesecake Bars step7Apple Cheesecake Bars step8
  • While the crust is baking prepare the apples. Peel and core the apples, and cut into small pieces. In a medium bowl combine apples with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Prepare the cheese mixture by mixing the cream cheese with sugar, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Add eggs one at a time and mix until well combined.
  • Add the cheese mixture over the warm crust and spread evenly. Add the chopped apples on top of the cream cheese layer.
    Apple Cheesecake Bars step17Apple Cheesecake Bars step18Apple Cheesecake Bars step19Apple Cheesecake Bars step20
  • Prepare the streusel topping: In a large bowl combine rolled oats, flour, ground almonds, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the butter and using a fork cut the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples.
  • Bake for about 30-35 minutes until set.
  • While the cake is baking prepare the caramel sauce. Place the sugar and water in a medium heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook without stirring until sugar dissolves and gets a caramel color.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and add the cream. It will bubble a little bit.Apple Cheesecake Bars step29Apple Cheesecake Bars step30
  • Cook for about 1 minute stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until smooth.
  • Remove from heat and add butter and salt. Stir well until smooth. Pour into a small jar and set aside to cool until the cake is ready.
    Apple Cheesecake Bars step31Apple Cheesecake Bars step32Apple Cheesecake Bars step33
  • When the cake is ready, allow to cool at room temperature, cut into bars and serve drizzled with the caramel sauce.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 50.4gProtein: 6gFat: 35.5gSaturated Fat: 20.5gCholesterol: 92mgSugar: 32.9g
Calories: 532kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond crust, apple cheesecake, apple cheesecake bars, apple recipes, caramel sauce, caramle apple cheesecake bars, fall desserts, fall recipes, homemade caramel sauce, streusel recipe

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.

Join the Conversation

  1. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen Author says:

    Yum! I have made similar bars before and they are so decadent – and pretty too!

  2. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking Author says:

    Oh, I’m imagining it and I can’t wait to make these! You go with the step-by-step instructions! Now all I want for breakfast are caramel apple cheesecake bars!! Pinned!

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Lindsey I am glad you like my photos.. and thank you for pinning it:)

  3. Thalia @ butter and brioche Author says:

    These cheesecake bars look so incredibly delicious. Loving the caramel and apple flavour.. so perfect for the fall! Pinned!

  4. ami@naivecookcooks Author says:

    These look so so good!!

  5. Maureen Author says:

    Wow! I’ve made apple bars before but these look over the top good.

  6. Jess @ Sweet Menu Author says:

    Seriously amazing bars! Wow! Gorgeous crumb and just look at that caramel!

  7. Terrific! Those bars look amazing.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  8. Oh, these look heavenly! Combining two of my favorite dessert ingredients: apples and caramel…swooning!!!

  9. Dedy@Dentist Chef Author says:

    Damn delicious and comforting desseet!!!
    i love the cheese cake bars with apple and the caramel…

  10. Cindy Author says:

    These look amazing, but on your list of ingredients it does not say how many eggs. I’m guessing 2.
    Thanks

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Thank you Cindy for letting me know that the eggs are missing form my list. Yes, you guessed well,  I used 2 eggs. If you try the recipe let me know how it turns to you.

  11. Cindy Author says:

    I made these for a family dinner and everyone raved about them. Thanks again for this delicious recipe.

  12. Nami | Just One Cookbook Author says:

    Oh oh… I might be the only one who hasn’t tried this famous apple cheesecake bars!!! Sounds delicious. I love all components in these bars too. Not to mention, the caramel… hmmm!!

  13. Kathleen | HapaNom Author says:

    Super cute video! This looks so delicious, I always go weak in the knees for cheesecake, but caramel apple too!? I’m in dessert heaven! I think I could eat an entire tray of these!

  14. Thomai Author says:

    It has disappeared in one day! It was a very good mix of cheese,apple and caramel! Congratulations for your recipes, i have already proposed your recipes to my friends!

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      So glad you like this recipe. We really love this combination as well.. especially my husband who love apple desserts. Thank you for recommending my blog to your friends:)

  15. David Author says:

    Hi Ella,
    We were having friends over for dinner last week and I wanted to make something other than a chocolate dessert. I was browsing the net and came across your site, this is one of the first recipes i saw. So I decided to make it and I must say it was absolutely delicious served with a nice dollop of thickened cream. It was a winner with our guests.

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Yeah.. I can imagine:) We really love this dessert, you can hardly stop to one bar:)

  16. Caro Author says:

    Hello! I really liked you recipe and I tried but when I was baking the crust, it kinda melted and did not cooked. I don´t know why. I did all the step but for some reason the crust did not cook. What should I do? Or what I am doing wrong?

  17. Divya Ella Author says:

    Hello!! I have to say these bars look soooo good that i have to make them tomorrow. I just want to know how do i store them and for upto how many days!

  18. Nina Author says:

    I just made these and added a pinch of salt in the caramel sauce.
    It turned out beautifully! They are absolutely delicious!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Close
© Copyright 2023. Home Cooking Adventure
Close