Introduction

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the warm, spiced flavors of caramel and apple. These bars make a perfect dessert for fall or any time you crave a delightful treat that balances sweet and tangy.

The image shows two stacked dessert squares on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface, each square having four visible layers. The bottom layer is a crumbly brown crust, followed by a thick, creamy white cheesecake layer. Above that is a chunky topping with small brown bits and pieces of chopped nuts or apples, covered by a shiny, golden caramel sauce dripping down the sides. The top square has an uneven, textured topping of nuts and crumbs, with the caramel sauce glossy and thick. In the background, more pieces of the same dessert are slightly out of focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
16 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium Granny Smith apples (peeled and diced)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking pan to form the crust.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until incorporated.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice. Mix in 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg, ensuring the apples are evenly coated.
Step 4: Fold the apple mixture into the cream cheese batter gently, then sprinkle the flour evenly over the mixture and fold it in to combine everything without overmixing.
Step 5: Pour the batter over the prepared crust and spread it evenly. Finally, sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup brown sugar for a sweet, crunchy topping.
Step 6: Bake the bars for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center slightly jiggles but is not liquid. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. You can substitute with Fuji or Honeycrisp if preferred.
For extra caramel flavor, drizzle caramel sauce over the bars just before serving.
Make sure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth batter.
To avoid soggy crust, bake the crust alone for 5 minutes before adding the filling.

Storage

Store cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the bars individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and if desired, warm slightly before serving.

How to Serve

A close-up of two square cheesecake bars stacked on a white plate, each with three layers: a crumbly light brown base, a thick creamy white middle layer, and a crumbly topping with small apple pieces and chunks. A golden caramel sauce is generously drizzled over the bars, dripping down the sides and pooling slightly on the plate. The white marbled surface under the plate is partly visible, with more cheesecake bars blurred in the background. The texture of the crumbly pieces and smooth cheesecake is clear. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of apple for these bars?

Yes, while Granny Smith apples offer a great tart flavor that complements the sweetness, other firm apples like Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady can also be used depending on your taste preference.

Do I need to pre-bake the crust?

Pre-baking the crust for 5 minutes helps prevent it from becoming soggy once you add the moist filling. It’s recommended but not absolutely required.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 287 reviews

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust with a creamy cheesecake layer and a sweet, spiced apple topping, finished with a caramel drizzle. Perfectly blending tart apples with rich cheesecake and warm spices, this dessert offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures in convenient bar form.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus 2 hours chilling
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cheesecake Layer

16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Apple Topping

3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar (for topping)

Instructions

Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon until well combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking pan to form an even crust.
Make the cheesecake layer: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Pour this cheesecake mixture evenly over the prepared crust.
Prepare the apple topping: In another bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, mixing well to coat the apples evenly.
Mix crumb topping: In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup all-purpose flour with 1/4 cup brown sugar. This will create a crumbly topping to add texture and sweetness.
Assemble bars: Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer. Then sprinkle the flour and brown sugar crumb mixture evenly on top of the apples.
Bake the bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the topping is golden and the cheesecake layer is set around the edges but slightly jiggly in the center.
Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature. For best results, chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature, optionally drizzled with caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.

Notes

Use Granny Smith apples for tartness that balances the sweetness of the cheesecake and topping.
Make sure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in the cheesecake layer.
Chilling the bars before slicing helps clean cuts and better texture.
For a gluten-free version, substitute graham crackers and flour with gluten-free alternatives.
Leftover bars can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, apple dessert bars, cheesecake bars, autumn dessert, fall desserts, spiced apple bars