Introduction

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with tangy cream cheese and spiced apples, all topped with rich homemade salted caramel. These bars are perfect for a cozy dessert or a special occasion treat that’s both impressive and easy to make.

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

240g graham cracker crumbs
115g unsalted butter, melted
25g brown sugar
0.25 tsp fine sea salt
450g cream cheese, room temperature
100g granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
300g Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
1 tsp ground cinnamon
0.25 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cornstarch
200g granulated sugar (for caramel)
180ml heavy cream
56g unsalted butter (for caramel)
1 tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and sea salt. Press firmly into a parchment-lined 8×8 inch pan. Par-bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla bean paste, mixing on low speed just until combined.
Step 3: Toss diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch to prevent excess moisture from leaking into the cheesecake layer.
Step 4: Pour the cheesecake filling over the par-baked crust and spread evenly. Top with the spiced apple mixture. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle.
Step 5: While bars cool, prepare the salted caramel. Heat granulated sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it melts and turns a deep amber color (about 340°F).
Step 6: Carefully whisk in butter and heavy cream until smooth. Simmer for 1 minute, then stir in flaky sea salt. Let the caramel cool slightly.
Step 7: Drizzle the salted caramel over the cooled bars. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set before slicing into 16 bars.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.
If you prefer a softer crust, reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
For a festive touch, sprinkle extra cinnamon or chopped nuts over the caramel topping.
Vanilla bean paste adds more flavor than extract, but either works well.

Storage

Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, bring to room temperature briefly before serving. You can also freeze the bars for up to 1 month; thaw in the fridge overnight and drizzle with fresh caramel if desired before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple?

Yes, you can substitute Granny Smith with other tart apples like Braeburn or Honeycrisp. Just keep in mind the texture and tartness may vary slightly.

How do I know when the cheesecake bars are done baking?

The edges should be set and firm, while the center will have a gentle jiggle when you shake the pan slightly. It will firm up as it cools and chills in the refrigerator.

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 138 reviews

Indulge in these decadent Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars that combine a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cinnamon-spiced cheesecake filling, tender apples, and a luscious homemade salted caramel drizzle. Perfectly balanced with a hint of sea salt, these bars are a delightful dessert for fall gatherings or any special occasion.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

240g Graham Cracker Crumbs
115g Unsalted Butter, melted
25g Brown Sugar
0.25 tsp Fine Sea Salt

Cheesecake Filling

450g Cream Cheese, room temperature
100g Granulated Sugar
1 large Egg, room temperature
1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract

Apple Topping

300g Granny Smith Apples, peeled and diced
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
0.25 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Cornstarch

Salted Caramel Sauce

200g Granulated Sugar
180ml Heavy Cream
56g Unsalted Butter
1 tsp Flaky Sea Salt

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and fine sea salt. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a parchment-lined 8×8 inch baking pan to form an even crust. Par-bake for 10 minutes to set the base.
Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla bean paste or extract, mixing on low speed just until combined to avoid overmixing.
Toss Apples: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and diced Granny Smith apples with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. This coating prevents the apples from releasing excess juice into the cheesecake layer during baking.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the par-baked crust. Distribute the spiced apple mixture evenly on top of the cheesecake layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes until the edges are set and the center still has a slight jiggle, indicating perfect doneness.
Make Salted Caramel Sauce: While the bars cool, place granulated sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt and caramelize until a deep amber color is reached (around 340°F). Carefully whisk in the butter and heavy cream until smooth. Simmer for one minute, then stir in flaky sea salt for a perfect balance.
Finish and Chill: Drizzle the cooled salted caramel sauce generously over the cooled cheesecake bars. Refrigerate the bars for at least 4 hours to allow them to set fully before slicing into 16 pieces and serving.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese and egg are at room temperature to avoid lumps in the cheesecake batter.
Use Granny Smith apples for tartness that balances the sweet caramel and creamy cheesecake.
To speed up caramel-making, use a candy thermometer to monitor sugar temperature closely.
Store leftover bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
For easier slicing, chill bars completely and warm the knife under hot water before cutting.

Keywords: Salted Caramel, Apple, Cheesecake Bars, Dessert, Fall Recipe, Baked Bar, Homemade Caramel