Description
Golden caramel drizzled over spiced apple chunks and creamy cheesecake, all on a buttery graham cracker crust—these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect answer to your fall dessert cravings. Whether you’re planning a quick breakfast treat, a cozy dinner party finale, or looking for healthy snack-inspired *breakfast ideas*, these bars are the ideal balance of indulgent yet easy recipe comfort. Packed with texture and flavor, they bring together the best of *dinner ideas* and *food ideas* in one irresistibly layered dessert.
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
1 cup all-purpose flour divided
16 ounces cream cheese softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups apples peeled and finely chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling)
1/3 cup cold unsalted butter cubed (for crumble)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides.
2. In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Press into pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Cool slightly.
3. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add granulated sugar, mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
4. Pour cheesecake filling over cooled crust. Smooth the top evenly.
5. In a separate bowl, toss chopped apples with lemon juice, 1 tablespoon flour, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Scatter over cheesecake layer.
6. Make the crumble by mixing 3/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and cold cubed butter. Use hands or pastry cutter to form crumbs. Sprinkle over apples.
7. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until center is just set and crumble is golden.
8. Cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
9. Remove from pan, slice into bars, and drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.
Notes
Chill the bars fully before slicing to ensure clean layers and firm texture.
For a more intense apple flavor, sauté the apple pieces in butter and cinnamon before layering.
Always add caramel sauce just before serving to keep the topping from becoming soggy in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, fall dessert, apple recipes, easy recipe, cheesecake bars, autumn baking, quick breakfast, dinner ideas, healthy snack, food ideas