Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a decadent dessert perfect for Thanksgiving or any fall gathering. With a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy spiced apple cheesecake filling, and a crunchy streusel topping, they’re drizzled with salted caramel for an irresistible finish.
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust:
3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (159g) light brown sugar, packed
2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Spiced Apple Creamy Cheesecake Filling:
3 (8 oz.) packages (681g) brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (227g) sour cream
1 1/2 cups (249g) granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (113ml) heavy cream
2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch pieces
For the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup (106g) light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (62g) old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
For Drizzling:
1 cup (227g) salted caramel sauce
Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
1. Prepare the Shortbread Crust
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Spray with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
Mix the Crust Ingredients:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer), beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
On low speed, gradually add the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until combined; the dough will be crumbly.
Bake the Crust:
Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes.
Remove from the oven and set on a cooling rack to cool as you prepare the filling.
2. Prepare the Spiced Apple Creamy Cheesecake Filling
Mix the Cheesecake Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Add the sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
Add the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, mixing just until incorporated.
Add the flour, heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, mixing until fully combined.
Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the sliced Granny Smith apples.
3. Assemble the Cheesecake Bars
Pour the Filling: Pour the apple cheesecake filling over the cooled shortbread crust and spread evenly.
4. Prepare the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping
Mix the Streusel:
In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon.
Add the softened butter and mix with your fingers or a fork until it forms small clumps.
Add Streusel Topping: Evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the apple cheesecake layer.
5. Bake
Bake the Bars: Bake the cheesecake bars in the preheated oven for 50 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly golden.
Cool Down: Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for about 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 5 hours (preferably overnight) to set fully.
6. Serve
Drizzle with Caramel: Once chilled, remove the cheesecake bars from the pan using the parchment overhang. Drizzle the top with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before slicing into bars.
Enjoy! Serve chilled and enjoy the delicious combination of apple, caramel, and cheesecake!
These Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
