Apple Cheesecake Barsrn

Name: Apple Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 350 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup packed light brown sugar; 1 cup unsalted butter, (cold); 24 ounces cream cheese, (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ cup sour cream, (room temperature); ½ cup heavy whipping cream; 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 large eggs, (room temperature); 4 cups apples, (peeled and diced); 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; ½ cup unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream; caramel sauce, (for drizzling)

close up shot of slices of Apple Cheesecake Bars stacked on top of each other

Whether during apple season or any time of year, these apple cheesecake bars are a rich, decadent dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

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Table of Contents

Apple Cheesecake Bars Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
More Recipes You’ll Love
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These apple cheesecake bars are a sinfully delicious dessert. The flavors of tart apple and cheesecake on top of the buttery crust are perfect together, and the crumble topping gives them an irresistible crunch.

a slice of Apple Cheesecake Bar on a plate topped with caramel sauce

Apple Cheesecake Bars Ingredients

Apple Cheesecake Bars raw ingredients that are labeled

These apple cheesecake bars combine a shortbread crust with the creamy richness of a vanilla-flavored cheesecake layer.

The spiced, tender apples nestled within offer a hint of autumn warmth, while the crumbly streusel topping adds a sweet, caramelized texture.

Finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce, each bar is a decadent fusion of classic fall flavors and cheesecake.

You’ll need:

For The Shortbread Crust:

2 cups of all-purpose flour
½ cup of packed light brown sugar
1 cup of unsalted butter, cold

For The Cheesecake Layer:

3 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
½ cup of sour cream, room temperature
½ cup of heavy whipping cream
1½ tablespoons of all-purpose flour
3 large eggs, room temperature

For The Apple Layer:

4 cups of peeled and diced apples
3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
½ teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour

For The Streusel Topping:

1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1 cup of packed light brown sugar
½ cup of unsalted butter
2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream

For Optional Garnish

Caramel sauce for drizzling

Substitutions And Additions

APPLES: We used Granny Smith apples in this recipe for their tartness in contrast with the smooth, creamy cheesecake layer.

You could alternately use Golden Delicious apples, which tend to cook down into a softer, smoother apple layer.

You could also substitute apple pie filling for a sweeter, softer apple layer.

VANILLA EXTRACT: Almond extract can be used in place of vanilla for a different flavor profile. Use half the amount to avoid overpowering the other flavors.

SOUR CREAM: Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream and can give the cheesecake layer a similar tang.

CINNAMON: As mentioned, apple pie spice or even a pumpkin pie spice blend could be used for a different warm spice profile without adjusting the quantity.

WALNUTS OR PECANS: For an added crunch in the streusel topping, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans for a nuttier flavor and extra texture.

How To Make This Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Let’s get started making the layers of these cheesecake bars. The first step is to make the crust before adding the cheesecake, apples, and streusel on top.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Although the streusel topping goes onto the cheesecake bars last, I actually prepared all of the other layers, streusel included, before peeling and dicing the apples.

Apples start oxidizing and turning brown quickly. I find it best to prepare the apples last so that they are put into the oven as soon as possible after cutting. You can also toss them with a little bit of lemon juice to prevent discoloration.

For The Shortbread Crust

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F.

STEP TWO: Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

STEP THREE: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together two cups of flour and a half cup of brown sugar until combined.

Cut one cup of cold butter into tablespoon-size pieces and add to the food processor. Pulse until fine crumbles form.

flour, butter, and sugar combined in a skillet

STEP FOUR: Press the crust mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. The crust will be lightly golden brown on top.

crust mixture pressed into the baking dish

For The Cheesecake Layer

PRO TIP:

This is a thick bar with a substantial cheesecake layer. You can half or use two-thirds of the cheesecake recipe for a bit thinner cheesecake layer.

STEP ONE: Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.

STEP TWO: Add the granulated sugar to the cream cheese mixture and beat until combined.

granulated sugar blended with the cream cheese in a bowl

STEP THREE: Add the vanilla extract, sour cream, and a half cup of heavy cream and mix to combine. Add in the flour and mix.

vanilla extract, sour cream, heavy cream, and flour blended together in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Add in one egg at a time and stir by hand until mixed in.

PRO TIP:

Do not beat in the eggs. Stir them in one at a time, gently. This helps to reduce the amount of air introduced into the cheesecake batter. Extra air causes the cheesecake layer to rise (the bars may overflow from the pan).

egg folded into the cheesecake mixture in a bowl

STEP FIVE: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked brown sugar shortbread crust.

cheesecake mixture poured over the shortbread crust in a baking dish

For The Apple Layer

STEP ONE: Toss together diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a medium bowl.

PRO TIP:

The smaller you cut your apples will determine how soft they become during baking.

apples, sugar, cinnamon, and flour folded in a cup

STEP TWO: Sprinkle the cinnamon apples over the top of the cheesecake mixture in the baking dish.

cinnamon apples sprinkled over the cheesecake layer in the baking dish

For The Streusel Layer

STEP ONE: Mix the flour, baking powder, and brown sugar by pulsing in the bowl of a food processor.

flour, baking powder, and brown sugar mixed together in a skillet

STEP TWO: Cut the butter into tablespoon-size pieces and add to the food processor.

butter added to the food processor in a skillet

STEP THREE: Pulse several times more until the mixture is crumbly.

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle two tablespoons of heavy cream over the streusel mixture and stir with a fork or pulse just once or twice more.

The streusel mixture will pull together just a bit to form larger clumps.

heavy cream sprinkled over the streusel mixture and then folded in a skillet

STEP FIVE: Sprinkle the brown sugar streusel topping over the apples in the baking dish.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your bars as the suggested baking time approaches.

streusel sprinkled over the apples in a baking dish

STEP SIX: Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, turn off the oven, keeping the door closed for 20 minutes.

Then, open the oven door and allow the apple cheesecake bars to cool to room temperature.

PRO TIP:

Slowly reducing the temperature of the cheesecake after cooking (by turning off the oven for some time and then cracking the oven door for some time) helps reduce cracking in the cheesecake. It also allows the cheesecake layer to finish cooking so that it is not overbaked, crumbly, or dry.

STEP SEVEN: Chill for at least three hours before cutting into bars and serving. Drizzle apple cheesecake bars with caramel sauce, if desired.

PRO TIP:

Wait until the bars are chilled completely before adding the caramel drizzle so that it doesn’t soak in.

caramel sauce poured over the cheesecake bars

How To Serve

Delicious cinnamon apple cheesecake bars are delicious any time you get the craving for something sweet.

For an extra indulgent treat, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and whipped cream will do the trick.

Apple desserts have such warm and cozy feelings associated with them. Our apple dump cake and easy apple dumplings are both favorite comfort food recipes.

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Storage

We’ve got the details on how to store leftover cheesecake bars to enjoy later.

MAKE AHEAD: Assemble them completely, without the caramel drizzle, and pop them into the refrigerator.

They’ll stay snug and delicious for up to two days. When you’re ready to serve, add the caramel garnish for that fresh-made dazzle.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to five days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze these dessert bars for up to one month.

Why We Love This Recipe

PERFECT BLEND OF TEXTURES: These apple cheesecake bars deliver a great texture, combining the crumbly base, creamy cheesecake, tender apples, and a crunchy streusel topping.

LAYERED FLAVOR EXPERIENCE: The recipe features a medley of flavors, starting with the sweet crust, moving to the tangy cheesecake, followed by the juicy apples, and finishing with the toasty streusel.

overhead shot of Apple Cheesecake Bars in a baking dish

These apple cheesecake bars are a delightful treat. They’re made with a creamy cheesecake filling, tart apples, and a delicious streusel topping. You’ll love the combination of flavors and textures in these bars!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I freeze these apple streusel cheesecake bars?

This easy recipe can be kept in the freezer for up to one month.

Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of fresh apples for the apple layer?

These apple cream cheese bars would be just as tasty with either apple pie filling or fresh apples.

Can I use a different crust for these bars?

If you prefer to use a different crust such as a graham cracker crust, you can certainly make this substitution.

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