Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (12 tablespoons) cold butter, cubed
Cheesecake
- 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Apples
- 3 granny smith apples, peeled and chopped small
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Streusel Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
- 5 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- Caramel syrup drizzle (about 1/3 cup)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper and spray the parchment paper. Set aside.
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Make the crust: In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or hands to mix until crumbly. Press into the baking pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
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While the crust is baking prepare the cheesecake. Combine all the cheesecake ingredients (cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs) into a bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, and beat together until smooth and combined.
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In a small bowl, combine the peeled and chopped apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix together until the apples are coated.
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Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooked crust and spread out evenly. Sprinkle the apples over the cheesecake.
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Prepare the streusel topping by combining all the ingredients (NOT the caramel sauce). Use your hands or a pastry cutter to combine until crumbly like wet sand. Sprinkle it evenly over the apples.
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Cook for 25-30 minutes. The edges should be done and slightly pulled away from the edges of the pan. The middle should be soft set but not totally liquid/jiggly.
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Remove from oven and put on a cooling rack. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the bars and let cool at room temperature for 1 hour. Cover the dish and put in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Cut into bars and serve. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Notes
Make sure the cream cheese is very soft to avoid lumps in the cheesecake. I place the unwrapped cream cheese bars on a microwave-safe plate and cook them for about 30-40 seconds or until they are very soft.