A Sweet Treat for All Occasions
Are you ready to dive into a dessert that marries the creamy decadence of cheesecake with the nostalgic flavors of caramel and apples? Enter Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars—an irresistible treat that’s perfect for any time of the year! Imagine sinking your teeth into a buttery graham cracker crust, followed by a luscious layer of cheesecake, topped with sweet, spiced apples, and drizzled with rich caramel. It's like a hug for your taste buds!
Ingredients
- For the crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- For the cheesecake filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the apple topping:
- 2 medium apples peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- For the caramel drizzle:
- ½ cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Press this mixture into the bottom of a greased baking dish (9x9 works perfectly). Bake the crust for about 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool.
- Make the cheesecake filling: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Layer the cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly.
- Prepare the apple topping: In a separate bowl, toss the sliced apples with cinnamon and brown sugar until well-coated. Gently arrange the apple slices on top of the cheesecake layer.
- Bake: Place the dish back in the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set and the apples are tender.
- Cool and drizzle: Allow the dessert to cool completely at room temperature, then drizzle the caramel sauce on top before slicing into bars. Enjoy the tasty magic!