Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Indulge in the delightful flavors of Heavenly Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, where rich cream cheese meets buttery crust and tart apples, all drizzled with warm caramel. This recipe captures the essence of cozy autumn gatherings and home baking. With easy step-by-step instructions, you'll learn how to create a creamy filling and a perfectly crispy crust. Elevate your dessert game and impress friends and family with this unforgettable treat!

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Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cheesecake Filling:

16 oz cream cheese, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

½ cup sour cream

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups diced apples (peeled and cored)

For the Caramel Topping:

½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

¼ cup chopped pecans (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

Make the Crust:

- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined and the mixture resembles wet sand.

- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

Prepare the Cheesecake Filling:

- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add in the sugar and beat until well combined.

- Mix in the sour cream, eggs one at a time, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until the mixture is creamy and smooth.

- Gently fold in the diced apples, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the filling.

Assemble the Bars:

- Pour the cheesecake filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are set, and the center has a slight jiggle.

Add Caramel:

- Remove the cheesecake bars from the oven and allow them to cool at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.

- Drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the top of the cheesecake. If you’d like to add some crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans on top as well.

Chill:

- Place the baking dish into the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 4 hours (or overnight for the best results) to firm up.

Serve:

- Once chilled, slice the cheesecake into bars. Serve each bar with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce if desired or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes | Servings: 12-16 bars