Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

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• Makes about 15 servings
• Crust
• 1 cup (2 sticks-220g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 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

1. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease with butter a 9 X 13 inches baking dish.Line with parchment paper.
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Add the cheese mixture over the warm crust and spread evenly. Add the chopped apples on top of the cream cheese layer.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Bake for about 30-35 minutes until set.
9. 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.
   
10. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cream. It will bubble a little bit.
11. Cook for about 1 minute stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until smooth.
12. 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.
    
13. When the cake is ready, allow to cool at room temperature, cut into bars and serve drizzled with the caramel sauce.