Indulge in a dreamy cheesecake delight, where a creamy layer meets spiced apple slices on a buttery crust, perfectly embodying the fall spirit. Get ready to savor the season with this easy-to-make treat!
Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Ingredients
Scale
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup oats
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ stick butter (cubed, cold)
- For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 1 & ½ packages full-fat cream cheese (softened (12 oz))
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 & ½ tablespoons flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Apple Layer:
- 2 cups peeled (cored, and diced apples (about 2 medium-sized apples))
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick butter (softened)
Instructions
- Make the Streusel:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- In a bowl, mix the cold, cubed butter, brown sugar, salt, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Once combined with small clumps, set aside in the fridge for later.
- Make the Crust:
- Cream together flour, both sugars, vanilla extract, salt, and softened butter until a soft cookie dough forms.
- Spread the cookie dough on an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Press to form an even layer and bake for 13 minutes.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese, heavy cream, granulated sugar, flour, and vanilla extract until smooth. Mix in the egg.
- Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the warm sugar cookie crust.
- Make the Apple Mixture:
- Toss diced apples with ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the apples, covering them evenly.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the edges are golden brown, and the center is set.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow them to set.
- Once chilled, use parchment paper overhangs to lift the bars out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board and slice into squares.
- Enjoy as is or with a caramel drizzle on top. Savor the deliciousness of fall!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
