Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars With Streusel Topping

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars With Streusel Topping

The perfect marriage of cheesecake + caramel apples, these caramel apple cheesecake bars with that buttery, delightful streusel topping are one of my favorite fall desserts!

INGREDIENTS
APPLES:

• 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

STREUSEL TOPPING:

• 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (1.75 ounces) quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) butter, softened

SHORTBREAD BASE:

• 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup (2 sticks, 8 ounces) butter, softened

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

• 2 (8 ounces each) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CARAMEL SAUCE:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream cream
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla (can cut down to 1 teaspoon for less vanilla flavor)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with foil (helps with cleanup but isn't necessary). Lightly grease the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. For the apples, in a small bowl, stir together the chopped apples, two tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. For the streusel, in a medium bowl, combine all the streusel topping ingredients and mix with a pastry blender or two forks (or your fingers) until crumbly. Set aside.
4. For the shortbread base, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly but evenly and well combined. Press the crust evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until very lightly browned around the edges.
5. For the cream cheese layer, while the crust is baking, in a large bowl with an electric handheld mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the cream cheese with the 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time and then the vanilla. Mix until evenly combined, scraping down the edges of the bowl as needed. Pour over the warm crust.
6. Give the apple mixture a good stir and spoon over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the filling is set.
7. For the caramel sauce, add the butter, brown sugar, cream, and salt to a saucepan and set over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook while stirring gently for 5-7 minutes, until thickened slightly. Add the vanilla and cook another minute to thicken further. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. If the caramel sauce has been refrigerated, warm slightly to pour over the bars.
8. Cool the bars to room temperature. Drizzle with the caramel topping (or plate individual slices and drizzle with topping one by one).

Recipe adapted from this site https://ift.tt/2PSw4oa

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