PERFECT CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS

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Author: Emaa Wilson
Published:
Close-up of decadent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, showcasing their creamy cheesecake filling, gooey caramel topping, and apple slices.
Craving the creamy, tangy goodness of cheesecake mixed with the comforting flavors of caramel apples? These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars deliver that perfect combination in every single bite! We’re talking a buttery graham cracker crust, a luscious cheesecake filling swirled with cinnamon apples, and a generous drizzle of caramel. I promise, this recipe will become your new fall favorite!

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients!

Close-up of delicious Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars showcasing the layers of crust, cheesecake, apple filling, and caramel drizzle.

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Apple Filling:

  • 2 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Cheesecake Filling:

  • 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup sour cream

For the Caramel Drizzle:

  • ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • Optional: Sea salt flakes for sprinkling

Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Get Baking!

Preheat & Prep

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift out the bars later. This is seriously a lifesaver!

Make the Graham Cracker Crust

  1. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix well until evenly moistened.
  2. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  3. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly while you prepare the apple filling.

Prepare the Apple Filling

  1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened but still slightly firm, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in lemon juice. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Make the Cheesecake Filling

  1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Make sure your cream cheese is *really* softened, otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps!
  2. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract and sour cream. Be careful not to overmix, as this can incorporate too much air and cause the cheesecake to crack.

Assemble the Cheesecake Bars

  1. Pour half of the cheesecake filling over the cooled graham cracker crust.
  2. Spoon the apple filling evenly over the cheesecake layer.
  3. Pour the remaining cheesecake filling over the apple filling.

Bake Those Bars!

  1. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is just set but still has a slight jiggle. The edges should be lightly golden brown.
  2. Turn off the oven and prop the oven door open slightly. Let the cheesecake bars cool in the oven for 1 hour. This helps prevent cracking!
  3. Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before cutting and serving. This is crucial for the best texture!

Caramel Drizzle & Serving

  1. Before serving, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the chilled cheesecake bars.
  2. Optional: Sprinkle with sea salt flakes for a salty-sweet contrast.
  3. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy!

Tips for Cheesecake Bar Success

Soft Cream Cheese is Key

Seriously, I can’t stress this enough! Make sure your cream cheese is completely softened before you start mixing. This will ensure a smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling. If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave it in 30-second intervals, checking and stirring in between, until it’s soft.

Don’t Overbake

Overbaking cheesecake is a cardinal sin! It will result in a dry, cracked cheesecake. The center should still have a slight jiggle when you take it out of the oven. It will continue to set as it cools.

Cooling is Crucial

The slow cooling process, both in the oven and at room temperature, is essential for preventing cracks. Don’t skip this step!

Parchment Paper is Your Friend

Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it so much easier to lift the bars out of the pan for cutting. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!

Variations to Make it Your Own!

Spice it Up

Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the apple filling for a warmer, more complex flavor.

Nutty Goodness

Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the caramel drizzle for added crunch and flavor.

Chocolate Lover’s Dream

Drizzle melted chocolate over the caramel for a decadent chocolate-caramel combination.

Use Different Apples

Experiment with different apple varieties for a unique flavor profile. Braeburn, Fuji, or Gala apples would also work well.

Storing Your Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These bars are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 5 days. Although, let’s be honest, they probably won’t last that long!

Craving More Apple and Caramel Goodness?

If you’re a fan of all things apple and caramel, you absolutely *must* try these other delicious recipes! For the ultimate indulgence, check out Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Ultimate. If you’re looking for something bite-sized, these Apple Pie Cheesecake Bites are perfect. And for cupcake lovers, don’t miss Caramel Apple Cupcake Heaven – they’re heavenly! For something similar to this recipe but a bit more intense, I recommend Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bliss. And if you are in the mood for something a little different, try Apple Crumb Cake Heaven. Lastly, you can never go wrong with Salty Caramel Apple Bars

Final Thoughts

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of creamy cheesecake, sweet apples, and rich caramel is simply irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to bake up a batch of these amazing bars. You won’t regret it!

Why is it important to use softened cream cheese for the cheesecake filling?

Using completely softened cream cheese ensures a smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling. If the cream cheese isn’t soft enough, you may end up with lumps in the filling.

What’s the best way to prevent the cheesecake bars from cracking?

To prevent cracking, avoid overbaking the cheesecake and allow it to cool slowly, first in the oven with the door propped open for an hour, then completely at room temperature before refrigerating.

How long can I store the Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, and what’s the best way to store them?

These bars are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container and will keep for up to 5 days.

What kind of apples are recommended for the apple filling?

The recipe suggests using Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples, but you can also experiment with other varieties like Braeburn, Fuji, or Gala.

Close-up of decadent Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, showcasing their creamy cheesecake filling, gooey caramel topping, and apple slices.

Perfect Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine the creamy tang of cheesecake with the comforting flavors of caramel apples. A buttery graham cracker crust, luscious cheesecake filling swirled with cinnamon apples, and a generous caramel drizzle make this the perfect fall dessert. Get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible bars!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 medium apples such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
  • Sea salt flakes for sprinkling optional

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium bowl
  • Large bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Large Skillet
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix well until evenly moistened.
  4. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly while you prepare the apple filling.
  6. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  7. Add diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened but still slightly firm, about 5-7 minutes.
  8. Stir in lemon juice. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  9. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  10. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract and sour cream. Be careful not to overmix.
  11. Pour half of the cheesecake filling over the cooled graham cracker crust.
  12. Spoon the apple filling evenly over the cheesecake layer.
  13. Pour the remaining cheesecake filling over the apple filling.
  14. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is just set but still has a slight jiggle. The edges should be lightly golden brown.
  15. Turn off the oven and prop the oven door open slightly. Let the cheesecake bars cool in the oven for 1 hour.
  16. Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature.
  17. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, before cutting and serving.
  18. Before serving, drizzle the caramel sauce evenly over the chilled cheesecake bars.
  19. Optional: Sprinkle with sea salt flakes for a salty-sweet contrast.
  20. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

For best results, make sure your cream cheese is completely softened. Don’t overbake the cheesecake; the center should still have a slight jiggle when you take it out of the oven. The slow cooling process, both in the oven and at room temperature, is essential for preventing cracks. Store the bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the apple filling for a warmer flavor. Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the caramel drizzle for added crunch. Drizzle melted chocolate over the caramel for a decadent chocolate-caramel combination.

Emaa Wilson

Emma is a passionate home cook and recipe developer who specializes in bridging traditional family recipes with modern techniques. Growing up learning from her sister's expertise, she focuses on creating approachable dishes that celebrate both heritage and innovation. Alongside her cooking partner Olivia, Emily develops recipes that emphasize the joy of collaborative cooking and the power of shared meals to bring people together.

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