Apple-Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Loaded with sweet-tart apples and drizzled with creamy caramel, these easy cheesecake bars are the perfect fall dessert.

Apple-Caramel Cheesecake Bars

2015-09-16 19:05:34

Makes about 1½ dozen

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Crust

1. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2. ⅔ cup firmly packed brown sugar
3. 2 cups all-purpose flour
4. ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Filling

1. 4 large Pink Lady apples, peeled and diced (about 8 cups)
2. 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
3. 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
4. ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
5. 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
6. 2 large eggs

Topping

1. 1 cup all-purpose flour
2. ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3. ½ cup old-fashioned oats
4. ½ teaspoon kosher salt
5. ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
6. ½ cup chopped pecans
7. Caramel ice cream topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pan.
2. For crust: In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Add flour and salt, beating until combined. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
3. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, for filling: In a large bowl, stir together apples, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer apple mixture to a colander set over a bowl, and let stand for at least 30 minutes.
5. In another large bowl, beat cream cheese, eggs, and remaining ½ cup granulated sugar with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Pour over cooled crust, and spread drained apple mixture over cream cheese mixture.
6. For topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, next 3 ingredients, and remaining ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Using a fork, stir in butter and pecans until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; sprinkle over apples.
7. Bake for 40 minutes or until center is set. Let cool in pan to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
8. Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pan, and cut into bars; drizzle with caramel before serving.

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