Description
Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect blend of creamy cheesecake, spiced apples, and buttery crust, all topped with rich salted caramel. These bars are a decadent and delicious dessert for fall or any special occasion.
Ingredients
**For the Crust:**
– 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 tsp cinnamon
– 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
**For the Cheesecake Layer:**
– 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
**For the Apple Layer:**
– 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
– 1/2 tsp cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp nutmeg
– 1 tbsp brown sugar
**For the Streusel Topping:**
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 tsp cinnamon
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
**For the Salted Caramel Sauce:**
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 3 tbsp unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes, then set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract. Pour over the cooled crust.
4. In another bowl, toss diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Evenly spread over the cheesecake layer.
5. For the streusel topping, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple layer.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cheesecake is set. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
7. For the caramel sauce, melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until golden brown. Stir in butter until melted, then slowly whisk in heavy cream. Remove from heat and add sea salt.
8. Drizzle the salted caramel over the chilled bars before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
– Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast to the sweet cheesecake.
– Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for the best texture.
– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
– You can use store-bought caramel sauce for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg