Description
Sweet caramel apple cheesecake bars blend creamy richness with classic autumn flavors. Crisp graham cracker crust and smooth cheesecake layers provide you a delightful dessert experience that celebrates seasonal comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping:
- 2 to 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the foundation by combining graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press this mixture firmly into a 9×13-inch baking pan, creating a compact base layer.
- Bake the crust at 325F for 8-10 minutes until achieving a light golden hue. Remove and allow to cool completely, ensuring a crisp and stable foundation.
- Whip cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy, incorporating sugar gradually to maintain a silky texture.
- Introduce eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon into the cream cheese mixture, blending until just integrated without overmixing.
- Dice apples and toss with lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the sweet-tangy mixture.
- Gently spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, creating an even, smooth surface.
- Distribute the seasoned apple pieces across the cheesecake layer, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes at 325F, watching for set edges with a slight center wobble, indicating perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes to stabilize the structure.
- Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to enhance flavor and achieve optimal slicing consistency.
- Before serving, drizzle generously with rich caramel sauce for a decadent finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize graham cracker crust by substituting with gluten-free crackers or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Pat down crust mixture gently but firmly to create a compact, even base that won’t crumble when serving.
- Dice apples uniformly to ensure consistent baking and prevent uneven texture throughout the cheesecake bars.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for smoother, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends more easily.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 48-55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg