Picture this: Shortbread cookie... as a bed for creamy, rich cheesecake...nestling a layer of caramel apple pieces...blanketed by crumbly oatmeal & brown sugar streusel.
Now, wipe your mouth. You're drooling a little bit.
And I don't blame you. These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping are soooo gooood. {Four "o"'s worth, to be exact.}
When I saw the recipe for this {from none other than Ms. Paula, of course} I knew it was a must for my Oktoberfest party. Fall flavors of apples and brown sugar and cinnamon all piled into a cheesecake-ish bar? Yes, please.
This dessert disappeared at lightning speed. It is a perfect, decadent end to any meal and a fantastic addition to a holiday menu. I might just forgo the traditional pumpkin pie this year and bring this to the table instead. Somehow I don't think the pie will be missed. 😉
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Streusel topping {recipe follows}
- ½ cup caramel topping
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup quick cooking oats
- ½ cup 1 stick butter, softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with ½ cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
- In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.
- Refrigerate for 3-5 hours or overnight to enjoy cold, though I'm sure you it is quite enjoyable right out of the oven as well.
Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.
