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- 1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon cinnamon The crust starts this treat. Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. These give a sweet and buttery base. Press it into your baking dish and bake it for 8 minutes. This step makes it firm and tasty. - 16 oz cream cheese, softened - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/4 cup sour cream - 2 large eggs - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract The cheesecake layer is creamy and rich. Beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well to combine. This layer will sit on the crust, making it sweet and velvety. - 2 cups apples, peeled and diced - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 tablespoon cornstarch For the apple filling, you will need fresh apples. Diced apples mix with lemon juice to keep them fresh. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch for sweetness and thickness. This mixture goes on top of the cheesecake layer. - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed - 1 teaspoon cinnamon The streusel topping adds crunch. Combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cold butter. Use your fingers to mix until crumbly. Sprinkle this over the apple filling for a delightful texture and flavor. - 1/2 cup caramel sauce The caramel drizzle is the finishing touch. You can use store-bought or homemade caramel sauce. Drizzle it over the cooled bars for extra sweetness. It makes each bite even more special. To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until all the ingredients combine well. Next, press this mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Make sure it is even. Bake the crust for 8 minutes, then let it cool. In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth. This will take a minute or two. Next, add the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until everything is mixed well. Once ready, pour this cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust. Now, grab another bowl and combine the diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Toss the apples until they are well-coated in the mixture. Spread this apple filling evenly over the cheesecake layer. In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cold cubed butter, and cinnamon. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until you achieve a crumbly texture. Sprinkle this streusel topping over the apple layer. Now, it’s time to bake everything together. Place the assembled bars in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Look for the streusel to be golden brown and the cheesecake to be set. After baking, let the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top of the bars. For the best flavor, chill them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. When ready, slice into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy your tasty treat! - Always use softened cream cheese. This helps mix smoothly into the batter. - To check for doneness, use a toothpick. Insert it in the center; it should come out clean. - For garnish, drizzle more caramel sauce on top. A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a nice touch. - Serve the bars on a fun platter. Thin apple slices make a great decoration too. - For a gluten-free crust, use almond flour or gluten-free graham crackers. - If you need dairy-free options, try vegan cream cheese. It works well in this recipe. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of your bars with spices. Adding nutmeg or ginger gives a warm touch. Try using different apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Each apple adds its own taste and texture. Granny Smith is tart, while Honeycrisp is sweet and crunchy. Experiment to find your favorite mix! For a vegan version, swap cream cheese for a plant-based option. Use vegan butter and a flaxseed mixture instead of eggs. For low-sugar alternatives, use a sugar substitute. This keeps the sweetness while cutting calories. Look for options like erythritol or stevia to keep it tasty! Serving these cheesecake bars with ice cream or whipped cream makes them even better. A scoop of vanilla ice cream adds creaminess. You can also serve them chilled or at room temperature. Chilled bars are refreshing, while room temperature bars are soft and creamy. Choose what you like best! To store leftover caramel apple streusel cheesecake bars, first let them cool. Then, cut the bars into squares. Place them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge. They will last up to five days. The flavors get even better as they sit! If you want to freeze these bars, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you are ready to enjoy them, take them out and thaw them overnight in the fridge. To reheat your cheesecake bars, you can use the microwave. Heat them in short bursts of 15 seconds. Check often to avoid overheating. You can also warm them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat for about 10 minutes. This warms them up nicely without drying them out. To make homemade caramel sauce, you need just three ingredients: sugar, butter, and cream. - Ingredients: - 1 cup sugar - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed - 1/2 cup heavy cream Start by heating sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir it constantly until it melts. Once it turns a golden color, add the butter. Keep stirring until melted. Slowly pour in the cream while mixing. Let it cool before using. Yes, you can use a variety of fruits in this recipe. - Suggestions: - Pears for a sweeter taste - Cherries for a tart flavor - Peaches for a summer twist Just make sure to adjust the sugar based on the fruit's sweetness. This way, you keep the balance in your bars. If your cheesecake doesn’t set, check a few things. - Common Issues: - Did you use cold cream cheese? It should be softened. - Did you bake it long enough? It should be firm to the touch. - Did you let it cool completely? Cooling helps it firm up. If it still doesn't set, try refrigerating it longer. The cold helps it firm up even more. Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time! - Best Practices: - Prepare the bars fully and let them cool. - Cover and refrigerate them for up to three days. - Drizzle caramel just before serving for freshness. Making it ahead gives the flavors time to blend. Enjoy the ease of serving later! You now have a delicious recipe for cheesecake bars ready to impress. We've covered the key ingredients, from the crust to the caramel drizzle, and shared step-by-step instructions. I hope the tips and tricks help you achieve perfect results. Don’t forget, you can customize flavors and diet choices. Store and serve with care to enjoy them longer. Whether for a party or a snack, these cheesecake bars will surely delight all. Happy baking!

Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

Indulge in the delightful taste of Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars! This mouthwatering dessert combines a creamy cheesecake layer with sweet apples and a crunchy streusel topping, all drizzled with rich caramel sauce. Perfect for any gathering, these bars are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Click through to discover the full recipe and bring this delicious treat to your next celebration!
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Ingredients
  

For the crust:

1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the cheesecake layer:

16 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the apple filling:

2 cups apples, peeled and diced (about 2 medium apples)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon cornstarch

For the streusel topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the caramel drizzle:

1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish to create an even layer. Bake for 8 minutes, then let cool.

    Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract; beat until well incorporated. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust.

      Prepare the Apple Filling: In another bowl, combine the diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch. Toss until the apples are well-coated. Spread the apple filling evenly over the cheesecake layer.

        Mix the Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, cold cubed butter, and cinnamon. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel mixture over the apple layer.

          Bake Everything Together: Bake the assembled bars in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the cheesecake is set. Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.

            Add Caramel Drizzle: Once cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top of the bars. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours for best flavor.

              Slice and Serve: Cut into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature.

                Prep Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 3 hours | Servings: 12

                  - Presentation Tips: Serve on a decorative platter with additional caramel sauce drizzled on each bar and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra touch. Optionally, garnish with thin apple slices for decoration.