These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, the perfect fall dessert you didn’t know you needed! This is a fantastic recipe easy for any home bakers (even you first time bakers!)

 

 

There’s nothing like the bliss of biting into layers of shortbread crust, creamy cheesecake filling, cinnamon apples, and a brown sugar streusel. 

Top it all off with a gorgeous caramel drizzle! It’s a yummy recipe that not one of your taste buds will be able to resist!

It combines the best parts of apple pie, cheesecake, and caramel apples.

The crust has a beautiful buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with the tart apple balances and creamy cheesecake layer.

The crumble topping adds an extra crunch that contrasts the smoothness of the cheesecake.

It’s easy to make ahead, perfect for when you have a little time over the weekend and want something special for the week.

It’s a versatile dish, perfect for your everyday sweet tooth craving or for special occasions.

 

 

What Ingredients are in Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars?

Dive into your baking cupboard and gather these key ingredients:

• All-purpose flour: The building block for our crust and brown sugar streusel.
• Brown sugar: Brings a deep, molasses-like sweetness to our crust and streusel topping.
• Butter: Gives our crust and streusel that melt-in-your-mouth buttery richness.
• Cream cheese: The heart of our creamy cheesecake layer.
• Sugar: Sweetens the deal in our cheesecake filling.
• Eggs: Ensures our cheesecake layer sets beautifully.
• Vanilla extract: Complements the cream cheese and gives our filling a hint of vanilla.
• Granny Smith apples: Tart and crisp, these are the ideal apples for our filling.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg: Warm spices that make our apple layer taste like fall in a bite.
• Quick oats: Adds a wonderful texture to our crumble topping.
• Caramel topping: The crowning glory on top of the cheesecake mixture.

Pro tip: Always use room temperature ingredients, especially for the cream cheese and eggs. This will help achieve a smoother, creamier filling.

 

 

How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

You can find the entire recipe card below but are you ready to bake these apple caramel cheesecake bars now? Follow these easy steps:

1. Create your crust mixture by combining flour and sugar, then work in the butter until crumbly. Press it into your baking pan and let it bake to golden perfection.
2. Make your creamy cheesecake filling by beating together cream cheese and sugar, adding eggs one by one, and finally, vanilla extract.
3. Prepare your apple filling by mixing diced apples with sugar and spices in a small bowl.
4. Now for the fun part – layering! Start with your warm crust, then pour over the creamy cheesecake filling, followed by a layer of apple filling.
5. Whip up your streusel ingredients in another medium bowl and sprinkle this crumbly goodness over the top of the cheesecake mixture. 
6. Bake until golden brown, then drizzle with caramel topping and let it cool.

Pro tips: 

• Line your baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil for easy removal and clean-up.
• Use a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed to save your arm the workout.

 

 

Do Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Need to Be Refrigerated?

Yes, these apple pie cheesecake bars do need to be refrigerated! Refrigerating these bars ensures that they are set properly and keeps all those wonderful layers intact.

Once completely set, you could let them sit on the counter for a little bit before serving if you want to serve at room temperature.

But for long term storage, I definitely recommend keeping them in the fridge.

How Long Do Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Last?

In my house, apple crisp cheesecake bars las about Five minutes? Maybe ten! Or…maybe that’s just us? They’re so good!

When stored correctly, these beauties can last for up to a week in the fridge, although they’re so good, you might finish them before then!

 

 

Can I Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Ahead of Time?

You bet you can make Apple Cheesecake Bars ahead of time! They’re a fantastic make-ahead dessert. 

Just make sure to add your caramel drizzle before serving for the freshest taste.

It’s good to add that caramel drizzle right before anyway because then your guests will LOVE it.

 

 

How to Store Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These Apple Bars with Cheesecake Filling store best in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Keep them chilled until you’re ready to serve.

If you’re serving them at a potluck or bbq, be sure to bring them out right before you are ready to serve them.

This will keep them from getting hot and ruined in the heat.

 

 

Can You Freeze Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars?

You can absolutely freeze caramel apple cheesecake bars with streusel topping! Once completely cooled, store the bars in a single layer in a freezer-safe airtight container. 

They freeze well for up to three months.

You could also freeze them in a single layer until completely frozen. Then transfer them to another container with parchment paper between each layer.

This will keep them from sticking to one another and let you pull out just 1 or two at a time. So then you can enjoy them all yourself whenever you want one!

 

 

How to Thaw Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

To thaw these apple crisp cheesecake bars, simply place them in the refrigerator overnight. 

You could also let them thaw on the counter, but you’ve got to be careful with that as typically the outside will get too warm while the middle is still too cold.

Remember to drizzle the caramel topping just before serving.

You’re ready to create your own Apple Cheesecake Bars! Make your kitchen smell like a fall wonderland and treat your taste buds to a perfect blend of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and tart. Enjoy!

 

 

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love…

• Caramel Apple Salad
• Easy Homemade Applesauce
• Apple Salad with Snickers
• Apple Crumb Pie Recipe
• Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings
• Apple and Cranberry Crumble
• Fried Apples Recipe
• Apple Gingerbread Cake
• Swedish Apple Pie
• Borscht
• Apple Breakfast Bake
• Sausage Cranberry Stuffing
• Apple Crisp with Oats
• Apple Blondies

Dive into the ultimate fall dessert with our Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars – a heavenly mix of creamy cheesecake, spiced apples, crumbly streusel, and a dreamy caramel drizzle.

 

Originally Posted: October 2, 2014

Photos & Text Updated: August 21, 2023

Recipe adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything

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