Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect fall treat. Smooth, creamy cheesecake filling is layered on top of a shortbread cookie crust, then topped with buttery cinnamon sugar apples and a cinnamon streusel topping. A drizzle of caramel sauce is the finishing touch to these bars, which makes them so delicious!

I can’t believe that September is tomorrow! We just went apple picking yesterday, and now I am fully ready for all things fall. These Caramel Apple Cheesecake bars may just be my favorite cheesecake I’ve made. The smooth and creamy cheesecake filling combined with the shortbread cookie crust and buttery cinnamon sugar apples is just a match made in heaven.

The details

make the streusel topping

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars have a few separate components – the crust, the filling, the apples and the streusel. I like to make the streusel and get the apples ready before actually beginning on the crust and the filling. That way, once the crust and filling is ready and in the pan, I can just sprinkle the apples and streusel on top and bake.

To make the streusel, you’ll add all ingredients to a bowl, then use a fork to sort of claw the ingredients together. This will create pea-sized morsels of streusel, which is exactly what you want. Set the streusel aside while you make the rest of the components of the cheesecake.

make the apple topping

The next thing I like to do is to make the apple topping. The apples are tossed in a buttery cinnamon sugar coating. Once you do this, just set the apples aside until you are ready to use them.

make the crust

The crust of these caramel apple cheesecake bars is actually a shortbread cookie crust. Trust me, it’s delicious! Once the crust is made, it is baked for 10 minutes to begin to set and firm the crust up. That way it won’t get soggy once you add the cheesecake filling on top!

To make the crust, I recommend using a stand mixer or handheld mixer. It just makes it easier to fully cream the ingredients together. Simply add all of the crust ingredients to your bowl and mix until smooth and creamy. Mix the ingredients just until combined. Add the dough to a parchment paper lined 9×9 inch baking pan. Press the crust along the bottom and all the way to the edges of the pan in a roughly even layer. Bake the crust in a 350F oven for 10 minutes.

make the cheesecake filling

While the crust is baking, make the cheesecake filling. I like to use a stand mixer or handheld mixer for this, to get the cheesecake filling ultra smooth and creamy. Beat the cream cheese and sugar together, scraping the bowl down several times, until smooth and creamy. Next, add in the vanilla extract and eggs. Beat the filling just until combined, smooth and creamy.

Pour the filling on top of the partially baked cookie crust. Sprinkle the apples on top and streusel on top of the apples.

Bake the cheesecake for 45-50 minutes in the preheated oven. The center should be slightly jiggly while the edges should be set. Once the cheesecake is done baking, allow to cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Place in refrigerator for 4 hours to chill.

Once you are ready to serve the cheesecake, drizzle with caramel sauce and cut into bars. Now all that’s left to do is dig in :).

here are some other fun fall treats to try

• Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
• Apple Cobbler
• Apple Pie

Let me know what you thought!

If you make these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, let me know what you thought in the ratings and comments below! I always appreciate your feedback. If you make these, snap a picture and tag me on instagram @simplebakingwithpep. Also, make sure you follow me on youtube, facebook, and instagram to stay up to date on all of my latest recipes :).

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