These Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a delightful fusion of autumn flavors and rich textures. Imagine layers of buttery shortbread crust, creamy spiced apple cheesecake, and a crisp brown sugar streusel topping—all finished with a luscious drizzle of salted caramel. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert for a holiday gathering or simply craving something sweet, these bars deliver the best of both cheesecake and apple pie in one irresistible bite. With tart Granny Smith apples, a touch of cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg, these bars are a cozy treat you’ll want to make all season long!
Ingredients:
For the Shortbread Crust:
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup (159g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Spiced Apple Creamy Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 (8 oz each, 681g) brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (227g) sour cream
- 1 ½ cups (249g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into ⅛-inch pieces
For the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup (106g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (62g) old-fashioned oats
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (227g) salted caramel sauce, for drizzling
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions:
For the Shortbread Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. Spray with non-stick baking spray.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- On low speed, add in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, mixing until combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
- Evenly press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool while you prepare the filling.
For the Spiced Apple Cheesecake Filling:
- In the same stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
- Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined.
- Sprinkle in the flour and mix until combined.
- Add the heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix until well incorporated, then gently fold in the diced apples.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled shortbread crust and smooth it into an even layer.
For the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms a crumbly consistency.
- Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the cheesecake layer.
Baking:
- Bake the cheesecake bars for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then transfer them to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
Finishing:
- Before serving, drizzle the bars with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
Cooking Tips:
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake filling.
- Granny Smith apples work best for this recipe because their tartness balances the sweetness of the cheesecake and caramel.
- When pressing the shortbread dough into the pan, use the bottom of a glass to ensure an even, flat crust.
- For extra caramel flavor, you can swirl some caramel sauce into the cheesecake filling before baking.
Nutritional Benefits:
- Calcium: The cream cheese and sour cream provide a good amount of calcium, which is essential for bone health.
- Protein: The eggs and dairy ingredients in this recipe contribute to its protein content, supporting muscle repair and growth.
- Antioxidants: Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Fiber: The old-fashioned oats in the streusel topping add a small amount of dietary fiber to the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Perfect Balance: The tartness of the apples, the creamy cheesecake, and the sweet and salty caramel make for a harmonious flavor combination.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dessert is a hit at parties and gatherings, offering a beautiful presentation and incredible taste.
- Comforting: With warm spices and a buttery crust, this dessert is the perfect cozy treat for fall or winter.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these bars ahead of time, making them a great option for busy holiday schedules.
Dietary Information:
- Vegetarian-Friendly: This recipe contains no meat, making it suitable for a vegetarian diet.
- Contains Dairy: Due to the cream cheese, sour cream, and butter, this recipe is not suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.
- Nut-Free: These bars do not contain any nuts, making them safe for those with nut allergies, but always check ingredient labels to be sure.
Why This Recipe Works: The combination of creamy cheesecake filling with tender spiced apples creates a perfect balance of flavors. The shortbread crust provides a buttery foundation, while the streusel topping adds a satisfying crunch. The salted caramel drizzle enhances the overall flavor, adding a sweet-salty contrast that makes this dessert irresistible. Each component complements the other, making every bite indulgent and memorable.
Conclusion: Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect dessert for fall gatherings, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures. With the buttery shortbread crust, creamy cheesecake filling, spiced apples, and crispy streusel topping, every bite is a treat for the senses. Finished with a drizzle of salted caramel, these bars are guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Try this recipe for your next event or simply to treat yourself, and enjoy the deliciousness of autumn in every bite.
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Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Total Time: 6hrs 20mins
Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a delightful fusion of autumn flavors and rich textures. Imagine layers of buttery shortbread crust, creamy spiced apple cheesecake, and a crisp brown sugar streusel topping—all finished with a luscious drizzle of salted caramel. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert for a holiday gathering or simply craving something sweet, these bars deliver the best of both cheesecake and apple pie in one irresistible bite. With tart Granny Smith apples, a touch of cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg, these bars are a cozy treat you’ll want to make all season long!
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 each, 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 diced 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, melted
- 1 cup (227g) salted caramel sauce, for drizzling
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
For the Shortbread Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. Spray with non-stick baking spray.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- On low speed, add in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, mixing until combined. The dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
- Evenly press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 8 minutes, then remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool while you prepare the filling.
For the Spiced Apple Cheesecake Filling:
- In the same stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined.
- Add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined.
- Sprinkle in the flour and mix until combined.
- Add the heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix until well incorporated, then gently fold in the diced apples.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled shortbread crust and smooth it into an even layer.
For the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture forms a crumbly consistency.
- Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the cheesecake layer.
Baking:
- Bake the cheesecake bars for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then transfer them to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
Finishing:
- Before serving, drizzle the bars with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 30mins
- Cook Time: 50mins