Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping

From Cooking with Paula Deen, Sept/Oct 2006

Ingredients

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3. 1 cup butter, softened
4. 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
5. 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
6. 2 large eggs
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8. 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
9. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11. Streusel Topping
12. 1/2 cup caramel topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13x9-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm crust.
4. In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel Topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.