Caramel. Apples. Cheesecake. Shortbread. Streusel. Do I really need to write anything else here? These Caramel Apple Cheesecake bars take a few bowls to make a few layers, but they’re worth the effort, I pinky-swear. From the bottom up they start with a buttery shortbread crust, layered with creamy cheesecake, soft-baked apples (like apple pie), then topped with crumbly sweet streusel, and drizzled with caramel sauce. They’re so, so good. They’re one of my favorite things that’s come through my kitchen lately!
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
Bars
- All purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Cold butter – Always use real butter if you can!
- Cream cheese
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Eggs
- Tart apples – Like Granny Smith, although really any apples will work in a pinch.
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- All purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Quick cooking oats – Old fashioned oats will work as well, just expect a chewier texture.
- Butter
- Caramel syrup – Any jarred caramel will work here but if you’ve got the time, definitely make our Buttermilk Caramel Sauce– it’s freakin’ amazing.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- You’ll start with a layer of buttery crust with just three ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour. Press it down into a pan and bake it off for a few minutes to get browned and toasted.
- Then pour on an easy cheesecake layer: cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. On top of that goes some diced, spiced apples. And last, but definitely not least, a streusel topping.
- Pop the whole thing in the oven and bake it until the cheesecake is set, the apples are soft and caramelized, and the topping is golden and crunchy. You can pour the caramel over the top of the whole pan at this point and let it just kind of set in there as they cool, or you can leave it off (see tips below). Either way works great.
Storing and Other Tips
- Store finished bars, tightly covered, in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5 days for best results.
- If I’m serving these on a platter for a grab-and-go kind of thing, I sometimes leave the caramel off completely, because they stack nicely without it, kind of like a bar cookie. If I’m serving them for an after dinner desert, I like to bring out the caramel separately, and drizzle it on the plate.
- These are so stinkin’ good. They’ll keep in the fridge if you want to make them ahead of time; I actually think they improve after being chilled for a few hours. Makes a great buffet style dessert, looks adorable in a cute gift box for giving, and works awesome for a fun family treat. They’re kind of perfect!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! They store well in the fridge so feel free to make them a day or two in advance.
Could I add nuts to these?
Sure. I’d recommend very finely chopped walnuts or pecans. Sprinkle them on top with the streusel before baking.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, but I recommend baking in two pans rather than one larger one, just to make sure everything cooks evenly.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Caramel. Apples. Cheesecake. Shortbread. Streusel. Do I really need to write anything else here?
Servings bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup cold butter 12 tablespoons, cubed
- 2 8- oz packages cream cheese softened
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 3 medium tart apples peeled and finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel
- ¾ cup flour
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup quick-cooking oats
- ⅓ cup butter 5 ⅓ tablespoons, cubed
- ⅓ cup caramel syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a well-greased 13×9 baking pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Spread over crust.
- In a small bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining sugar; spoon over cream cheese layer. In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and oats; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple layer.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping; cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour. (OR reserve caramel for later. They can be served without caramel sauce, or sauce can be drizzled on before serving. ) Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.
Notes
- Store finished bars, tightly covered, in the refrigerator and enjoy within 5 days for best results.
- If I’m serving these on a platter for a grab-and-go kind of thing, I sometimes leave the caramel off completely, because they stack nicely without it, kind of like a bar cookie. If I’m serving them for an after dinner desert, I like to bring out the caramel separately, and drizzle it on the plate.
Nutrition
Calories: 258kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 125mg, Potassium: 84mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 471IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg
Calories: 258kcal
Cost: $12
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Questions & Reviews
Okay, I finally found it:
https://ourbestbites.com/2009/06/buttermilk-caramel-syrup/
Oh. My. Goodness. These look absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!!! If I had the time, I would sooooooooo make these. I LOVE CHEESECAKE!!!!! Since we moved into a new neighborhood recently, I was wondering what would be a good treat to give to some of our neighbors and say hi. Do I feel ambitious? Hmm…
Do you have a link for your Buttery Caramel Syrup?
I have this same question, please. I used your site search for Buttermilk Caramel and I didn’t see it.
I want to say it’s the recipe for the Buttermilk Syrup? That’s the only thing that sounds close on the site since they did mention that it’s more of a caramel sauce than a syrup.
https://ourbestbites.com/2009/06/buttermilk-caramel-syrup/
Lol, thanks, Nina… I just found it, too. I looked in the waffle post that came up in my search, and found the link in there. So odd that the single post didn’t come up on the search.
Sorry, I didn’t realize I forgot to link it! Glad everyone else found it. It’s amazing (and not just for waffles! I use it mostly for dessert 🙂 )
Just used the last of my quick oats, any thoughts on using regular?
Probably just fine 🙂
Yes – wondering what food you have frozen for your family to get ready for baby. Not holiday food – just your fav freezer meals?
Holy cow that looks good and darned if I don’t have everything at home right now to make them. I have to finish the Pumpkin Spice Snack cake recipe ya’all posted recently though – I can’t have two scrumptious desserts available at once and still fit in my jeans… BTW, I’m thinking crumbles of maple bacon served on top of the caramel would blast this out of the universe. = )
Making these right now!
Those look yummy! I’m having my third baby this December and I’m trying to figure out what to do to prepare for the holidays/food also. Would you mind sharing what you are doing to prepare? Are you freezing food ahead of time? If so do you have certain recipes that you recommend? 🙂
My strategy is to not prepare anything and just get other people to feel bad for me and invite me to their houses 🙂
hahaha, this is the best strategy ever! I hope it works for you! These bars look delicious and I am really regretting not buying cream cheese at the store on Saturday.
Those bars look amazing! Can’t wait to bake them! Love cheesecake + apple flavor for fall = awesome!
These bars are totally stunning! Loving this recipe, girl!