Apple cheesecake bars are very popular for quite a few years now and they

definitely worth it. As fall is here and apples are in season I just had to try

this recipe by myself.

 

Just imagine, buttery crust topped with creamy cheese and tender apples

and streusel topping made with rolled oats and almonds. And that is not

all...everything is drizzled with caramel sauce... this is by far one of the best

fall desserts. I really love the use of apples in a cheesecake and the caramel

sauce is like the cherry on the top.

I made few changes to the original recipe, added ground almonds in both the

crust and streusel topping, reduced the sugar where possible, added some

lemon zest for a bit of citrus flavor... and you have to believe me for this...

these caramel apple cheesecake bars are absolutely AMAZING, literally melts

in your mouth. All the cake was gone faster than I expected, even my little

picky daughters devoured it. 

 

Hope you will give it a try this fall, it is not complicated at all, you don't need

more than 20 minutes to prepare it. Don't be scared for the long list of

ingredients and steps, it goes really quick, just follow the steps and you will

definitely be DELIGHTED as we were. If you want a smaller cake just reduce

everything to half and use a 8X8 inches baking dish... though I would

recommend making the large one as everybody will want a second bar:)

Related Posts:

Apple Crumble

Apple Upside Down Cake

Apple Dumplings

 

Recipe adapted after Food Network

 

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

45 mins

Total time

1 hr 5 mins

Ingredients

Makes about 15 servings

Crust

1 cup (2 sticks-220g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups (190g) flour

1/2 cup (100g) ground almonds

1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cream Cheese Mixture

16 oz (500g) cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup (100g) sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 tsp lemon zest

Apples

3 cups apples (about 3-4 apples) - peeled, cored, chopped

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Streusel Topping

1/2 cup (40g) rolled oats

1/2 cup (63g) flour

1/2 cup (100g) ground almonds

1/2 cup (1 stick-110g) butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Caramel Sauce

1 cup (200g) sugar

1/4 cup (60 ml) water

1/2 cup (120g) heavy cream

2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease with butter a 9 X 13 inches baking

dish.Line with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the crust. In a large bowl combine flour, ground almonds,

sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the butter and using a pastry blender or

simply a fork cut in the butter until crumbles are formed.

3. Press the mixture onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish and bake

for about 15-20 minutes until lightly golden brown. Set aside and let cool

slightly.

4. While the crust is baking prepare the apples. Peel and core the apples,

and cut into small pieces. In a medium bowl combine apples with sugar,

cinnamon and nutmeg.

5. Prepare the cheese mixture by mixing the cream cheese with sugar,

vanilla extract and lemon zest. Add eggs one at a time and mix until well

combined.

6. Add the cheese mixture over the warm crust and spread evenly. Add the

chopped apples on top of the cream cheese layer.

7. Prepare the streusel topping: In a large bowl combine rolled oats,

flour, ground almonds, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the butter and

using a fork cut the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel topping

over the apples.

8. Bake for about 30-35 minutes until set.

9. While the cake is baking prepare the caramel sauce.  Place the sugar

and water in a medium heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high

heat, and cook without stirring until sugar dissolves and gets a caramel

color.

10. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cream. It will bubble a little

bit.

11. Cook for about 1 minute stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until

smooth.

12. Remove from heat and add butter and salt. Stir well until smooth. Pour

into a small jar and set aside to cool until the cake is ready.

13. When the cake is ready, allow to cool at room temperature, cut into

bars and serve drizzled with the caramel sauce.