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Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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  • Author: Sue
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1 9x13-inch pan (approximately 16 bars)
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy spiced apple cheesecake filling, and a crunchy brown sugar streusel topping. Finished with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, this irresistible dessert offers a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and tart apple flavor, ideal for fall or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 3/4 cup (159g) light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Spiced Apple Creamy Cheesecake Filling

  • 3 8 ounce packages (681g) brick-style cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 1 cup (227g) sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups (249g) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 large egg yolks (room temperature)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (113ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3 large Granny Smith apples (peeled, cut into 1/8-inch pieces)

Brown Sugar Streusel Topping

  • 1/2 cup (106g) light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (62g) old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter

Finishing Touch

  • 1 cup (227g) salted caramel sauce (for drizzling)
  • Flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Shortbread Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang on two sides for easy removal later. Spray the parchment with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
  2. Make the Crust Dough: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or using a handheld mixer, cream together the unsalted butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt on low speed until combined; the dough will be crumbly.
  3. Press and Bake Crust: Press the crumbly crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes until lightly set. Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack as you prepare the filling.
  4. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sour cream with a handheld mixer until smooth and creamy. Add granulated sugar and vanilla extract, beating until incorporated. On the lowest speed, add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, mixing just until combined. Stir in flour until just combined, then fold in heavy cream gently with a spatula until the batter is smooth.
  5. Add Spiced Apples: In a medium bowl, mix the chopped Granny Smith apples with light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Spread the cheesecake filling evenly over the baked crust, then sprinkle the spiced apples evenly over the batter.
  6. Make the Streusel Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine light brown sugar, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in the unsalted butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture becomes a coarse crumble. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apples on the cheesecake layer.
  7. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F. Then reduce the temperature to 300°F and continue baking for 40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly. The cheesecake will firm up as it cools.
  8. Cooling: Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake bars to cool at room temperature for 1 hour before transferring to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 5 hours or overnight to set completely.
  9. Serve: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and place on a cutting board. Drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Using a large sharp knife, cut into squares, wiping the knife clean between slices. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Be sure all dairy ingredients (butter, cream cheese, eggs) are at room temperature to ensure a smooth cheesecake batter.
  • Use Granny Smith apples for their tartness and firmness which hold up well during baking.
  • If you prefer a softer streusel, you can omit the oats.
  • Allow the cheesecake bars to chill thoroughly in the fridge to achieve clean slicing and the proper texture.
  • The salted caramel drizzle and flaky sea salt enhance the sweet and tart flavors, but you can adjust the amount to taste.

Find it online: https://suerecipe.com/salted-caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-recipe/