How to Make Professional Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars at Home
The ultimate autumn treat! These bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, a velvety cheesecake layer, and spiced cinnamon apples topped with a crunchy oat streusel and a luscious salted caramel drizzle.
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 large apples peeled and diced
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9x9 pan with parchment. Mix crust ingredients and press firmly into the pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and sour cream on low speed just until combined. Pour over the warm crust.
- Toss diced apples with cinnamon and layer over the cheesecake. Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, and cold butter into crumbs. Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake 40-45 minutes until edges set. Cool at room temperature, then chill for 4 hours. Drizzle with caramel before slicing.
Notes
Use Granny Smith apples for a tart contrast to the sweet caramel. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumps in the batter. For the cleanest slices, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between every single cut.