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- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted - ¼ cup granulated sugar I use graham cracker crumbs for a crunchy base. The melted butter helps bind the crumbs. Granulated sugar adds a bit of sweetness. - 3 medium apples, peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith) - ¼ cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 tablespoon lemon juice For the apple filling, I like Granny Smith apples. They are tart and hold their shape well. Brown sugar adds depth, while cinnamon brings warmth. Lemon juice keeps the apples bright and fresh. - 8 oz cream cheese, softened - ½ cup granulated sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 large egg The cream cheese gives this layer its rich and creamy texture. Sugar sweetens it, and vanilla enhances the flavor. The egg helps set the cheesecake when baked. - 1 cup all-purpose flour - ½ cup brown sugar - ½ teaspoon cinnamon - ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed - ½ cup rolled oats I love a crumbly streusel topping. Flour and brown sugar create the base, while cinnamon adds flavor. Cold butter makes it crumbly. Oats give it a nice texture. - ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) A drizzle of caramel sauce adds the final touch. It enhances the sweet flavors and adds a rich contrast. You can use store-bought, but homemade is easy and fun! Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for a good bake. Next, line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the sides. This helps you lift out the bars later. In a medium bowl, mix together 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs, ½ cup of melted unsalted butter, and ¼ cup of granulated sugar. Stir until it looks crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes and let it cool. Take 3 medium apples, peel, and dice them. I prefer Granny Smith apples for their tartness. In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with ¼ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Make sure all pieces are well coated. Set this aside. In a separate bowl, beat 8 oz of softened cream cheese with ½ cup of granulated sugar until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 large egg. Mix until combined but don’t overmix. This will keep your cheesecake light and fluffy. Pour the cheesecake layer over the cooled crust. Spread it out evenly. Next, layer the apple filling on top of the cheesecake. Make sure to distribute the apples evenly so each bite has flavor. In another bowl, mix together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Add ½ cup of cold cubed butter and ½ cup of rolled oats. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until it looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this streusel topping over the apples. Put the dish back in the oven. Bake for about 35-40 minutes. You want the streusel to turn golden brown and the cheesecake layer to set. Keep an eye on it! Once baked, take the dish out and let the bars cool completely at room temperature. After that, refrigerate for at least 2 hours. When ready, lift the bars out using the parchment paper. Drizzle with ½ cup of caramel sauce before slicing into squares. Enjoy the sweet reward! For a great flavor, I love using Granny Smith apples. They are tart and firm. Their taste contrasts well with the sweet cheesecake and caramel. You can also try Honeycrisp for a sweeter twist. Always peel and dice the apples for even cooking and easy bites. To create a smooth cheesecake layer, start with softened cream cheese. This makes mixing easy and helps avoid lumps. Mix the cream cheese and sugar until creamy, then add the egg gently. Overmixing adds air and can make the cheesecake puff up. For a perfect streusel topping, keep the butter cold. This helps it form crumbs. Use your fingers to mix the butter with flour, sugar, and oats. Don't worry about being too neat; a few larger clumps make for a nice texture. Serve the bars chilled for the best taste. A drizzle of caramel sauce on top adds extra sweetness. You can also add fresh apple slices for a pop of color. Present them on a beautiful platter to impress your guests. {{image_2}} You can swap apples for other fruits. Pears work great, too. They bring a soft bite and sweet taste. You may also try berries, like blueberries or raspberries. Just remember to adjust the sugar. Berries are sweeter, so you might need less sugar. To make these bars gluten-free, choose gluten-free graham cracker crumbs. You can find these in most stores. For the flour in the streusel, use almond flour or a gluten-free blend. The taste stays rich, and the texture remains smooth. For a vegan version, use plant-based cream cheese. You can also replace the egg with a flax egg. Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit until it thickens. Use maple syrup or agave instead of sugar to keep it plant-based. These changes keep your bars tasty and plant-friendly. Store any leftover bars in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to five days. This keeps the flavors fresh and the texture nice. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking. If you want to save these bars for later, freezing works well. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag or container. They can stay in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply thaw overnight in the fridge. To enjoy these bars warm, reheat them gently. Place a bar on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 10-15 seconds. Check to see if it's warm enough. If you like, drizzle more caramel sauce on top before serving. This adds extra flavor and a nice touch! Yes, you can use different apples. Granny Smith apples work best for their tartness. However, you can try Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a sweeter taste. Mixing different apples can add fun flavors and textures. Look for a golden-brown streusel topping and a slight jiggle in the center. The cheesecake layer should be set but still soft. If you insert a toothpick, it should come out mostly clean. This shows the bars are ready to cool. You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone or a vegan cream cheese. These options will change the flavor slightly. If you want a lighter option, try ricotta cheese, but it may alter the texture. To cut the bars neatly, use a sharp knife. Warm the knife under hot water, then dry it before cutting. This helps make clean lines. Cut the bars while they are chilled for easier slicing. You can store these bars in the fridge for up to five days. Keep them in an airtight container for the best results. They can also be frozen for up to three months if you want to save some for later. We explored the main components of this delicious dessert, from the crust to the caramel drizzle. You learned how to prepare each layer step by step and some helpful tips to make it perfect. Remember, you can switch up fruits and even go gluten-free. Storing leftovers is easy, making this a treat you can savor. Enjoy experimenting with variations and sharing it with friends! This dessert is sure to impress. Happy baking!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Streusel Bars

Indulge in the ultimate dessert with these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Streusel Bars! This delicious recipe combines a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, and a sweet apple filling, all topped with a crunchy streusel and rich caramel drizzle. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, these bars are creamy, crunchy, and oh-so-satisfying. Click through to explore the full recipe and treat yourself today!
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Ingredients
  

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Apple Filling:

3 medium apples, peeled and diced (preferably Granny Smith)

¼ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Cheesecake Layer:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg

For the Streusel Topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

½ cup rolled oats

For the Caramel Drizzle:

½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.

    Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Mix until crumbly. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool.

      Make the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until well combined. Set aside.

        Prepare the Cheesecake Layer: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract and the egg, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

          Assemble: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust, spreading evenly. Layer the apple filling on top of the cheesecake, ensuring even distribution.

            Make the Streusel Topping: In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold cubed butter and oats, using your fingers or a pastry cutter to combine until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples.

              Bake: Place the dish back in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the cheesecake layer is set.

                Cool and Drizzle: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Once chilled, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Drizzle with caramel sauce before slicing into squares.

                  Serve and Enjoy!

                    Prep Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 2 hours 30 mins | Servings: 16 bars

                      - Presentation Tips: Serve the bars on a decorative platter, drizzle additional caramel sauce on top, and add a few thin apple slices for garnish.