Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

This is a wonderful fall dessert that would make a great addition to any holiday table. Alternatively, it would make a great addition to any meal, any day of the week. Shortbread, cheesecake, apples, streusel, caramel sauce... there's a reason I adapted this recipe to a 9-inch pan from its original 9x13... I knew I would be likely to eat the WHOLE.THING.

We took these to a friend's house and they were a huge hit. And there's no question why. Everyone will love to eat them, but I also loved that I could make all the layers in my food processor, dirtying only one bowl! (Except the apples. Don't put the apples in the food processor!)

If you don't have a food processor, don't worry. You can just whip up the layers in a regular bowl using a pastry blender or your fingers. The original post that gives directions without a food processor is also linked below, if you're interested.

However, don't worry about the method of preparation here. Just go out, buy the ingredients, and get these made. And eaten.

Find more great ideas at Inspire Me, Fabulous, Hearth and Soul, Full Plate, Favorite Things, Wow Me, Wonderful Wednesday, Wine'd Down.


Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Crust:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, cut into cubes

Apples:
3 medium baking apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Filling:
1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 large eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup oats
4 ounces butter, cold, cut into cubes

1/2 cup your favorite caramel topping

For the crust, in the bowl of your food processor, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Pulse to mix well. Add the butter, and pulse until mixture is crumbly. Press the crust evenly into a greased 9" pan. Bake at 350 for 10-13 minutes or until very lightly browned around the edges.

For the topping, combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and oats in the food processor and pulse just to mix. Add the butter and pulse until crumbly. Set aside.

For the filling, combine the cream cheese and sugar in the food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla and pulse until well combined. Pour over the warm crust.

For the apples, in a small bowl, stir together the chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the filling is set.

Cool the bars to room temperature or refrigerate overnight for best results. Drizzle with the caramel topping.

Recipe Source: Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe