Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel apple cheesecake bars are the best of both a sweet apple crumble and cheesecake! Creamy cheesecake topped with sweet baked cinnamon apples, a buttery oat streusel topping, and finished with a drizzle of sweet caramel? Your family and friends will flip for this decadent dessert!

 

Why We Love Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Creamy And Sweet– I love the creamy base on these cheesecake bars, it reminds me of eating apple crumble with a scoop of ice cream -but better! You can enjoy this treat any time of year.
• Dessert People Talk About! – This dessert is really memorable, especially for those who love apple crumble or apple pie and gets people talking!
• Worth The Effort– This recipe does take a few extra steps and a little time to make the layers. That delicious baked apple combined with a creamy cheesecake layer on a buttery crust is worth the effort to make a decadent dessert for all special occasions!

Ingredients For Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

For The Graham Cracker Crust

• graham crackers 
• brown sugar
• butter salted, melted

For The Cheesecake

• cream cheese softened to room temperature
• white sugar – also known as granulated sugar
• eggs lightly beaten
• sour cream
• vanilla extract

For The Apple Caramel Crumb Topping

• apple diced small in 1/4 inch cubes, Granny Smith are slightly tart apples that balance the sweetness in this recipe well.
• sugar
• flour
• cinnamon
• brown sugar
• rolled oats
• butter salted, melted
• cinnamon
• caramel sauce

How To Make Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Make The Graham Cracker Crust

1. Preheat the oven to 325. Line a 8×8 square pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until they become crumbs.
2. Add the graham cracker crumbs to a large bowl. Place the brown sugar and melted butter in with the graham cracker crumbs. Mix together until the crumbs are no longer dry.

3. Add the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Use a ½ cup measuring cup to press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake the crust in the oven for 8 minutes then let the pan cool for at least five minutes.

Make The Cheesecake Filling

1. Whip cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth with an electric mixer or stand mixer, about 2-3 minutes. Add ½ cup sugar and cream together until fully mixed.

2. Add the lightly beaten eggs half at a time to the cream cheese mixture, whipping until fully mixed.
3. Add the sour cream and vanilla to the cream cheese filling. Whip until smooth.

Make The Apple Caramel Crumb Topping

1. In a medium bowl mix together the rolled oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter until the oats no longer are dry. Set aside.
2. Peel the apple. Dice the apple into very small pieces, about 1/4 inch cubes.

3. In a second medium-sized bowl add the apples, sugar, flour and cinnamon. Mix until combined.

Layer and Bake The Bars

1. Pour the cheesecake layer over the graham cracker crust in the pan, smoothing evenly with a silicone spatula.

2. Top the cheesecake layer with the apple topping evenly. Swirl with a chopstick or butter knife to help distribute the apples more evenly in the cheesecake.

3. Break up the topping and sprinkle streusel evenly over the apple crisp topping.

4. Bake the cheesecake bars at 325 for 65-70 minutes, until most of the moisture is gone from the center. Let the cheesecake cool for 20 minutes. Place in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight before serving.

5. Slice with a large knife into squares.

6. Serve with a spoonful of caramel drizzled over the top and enjoy!

Try Adding Whipped Cream

These bars look even prettier with a dollop of whipped cream on top before you add the caramel. I’ll be sure to have whipped cream on hand next time or a scoop of ice cream.

I like whipped cream sometimes on these chocolate caramel Carmelita bars too, especially when they are warm and gooey!

The cinnamon sugar flavor reminds me a lot of snickerdoodles, almost like these Snickerdoodle Blondies but with apple and cheesecake too!

How Long Do These Cheesecake Bars Last?

These caramel apple cheesecake bars last for about 3-5 days when kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I recommend storing the caramel separately and adding caramel when serving.

You can also freeze these cheesecake bars. They will taste best if eaten within three months.