March 27, 2023
Review RecipeApple Cheesecake Bars

Table of Contents
These apple cheesecake bars are a sinfully delicious dessert that will wow your taste buds! The flavors of tart apple and cheesecake on top of the buttery crust are perfect together, and the crumble topping gives them a delightful crunch.

Apple Cheesecake Bars Ingredients

You’ll need:
For the Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
For the Cheesecake Layer
- 3 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream (divided)
- 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
For the Apple Layer
- 4 cups peeled and diced apples
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For the Streusel Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons 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.
How to Make This Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe
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 2 cups flour and ½ cup brown sugar until combined. Cut 1 cup of cold butter into tablespoon-size pieces and add to the food processor. Pulse until fine crumbles form.

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

For the Cheesecake Layer
PRO TIP:
This is a thick bar with a substantial cheesecake layer. You can half or use ⅔ 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.

STEP THREE: Add the vanilla extract, sour cream, and ½ cup heavy cream and mix to combine. Add in the flour and mix.

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).

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

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.

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

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

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

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

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle 2 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.

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.

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 3 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.

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.
MORE BAR RECIPES
Storage
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze these dessert bars for up to 1 month.

These apple pie 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
This easy recipe can be kept in the freezer for up to one month.
These apple cream cheese bars would be just as tasty with either apple pie filling or fresh apples.
If you prefer to use a different crust such as a graham cracker crust, you can certainly make this substitution.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- No Bake Peanut Butter Rocky Road Bars
- Buckeye Bars
- Cherry Pie Bars
- Twix Bars
- Brownie Bottom Cheesecake
- Caramel Apple Dip
- Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
- Apple Bread Pudding
- Caramel Cheesecake Bars
- Campfire Apple Crisp in Foil Packets
- Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
- Lemon Cheesecake Bars
- Banana Cheesecake Bars
- Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars

Apple Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
Cheesecake Layer
- 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream, divided
- 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
Apple Layer
- 4 cups apples, peeled and diced
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Streusel Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Optional
- caramel sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
Shortbread Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together 2 cups flour and ½ cup brown sugar until combined. Cut 1 cup of butter into tablespoon-size pieces and add to the food processor. Pulse until fine crumbles form.
- Press the crust mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. The crust will be lightly browned on top.
Cheesecake Layer
- Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the granulated sugar and beat until combined.
- Add vanilla extract, sour cream, and ½ cup heavy cream and mix to combine. Add in the flour and mix.
- Add in one egg at a time and stir by hand until mixed in.
- Pour cheesecake mixture over the baked shortbread crust.
Apple Layer
- Toss together diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and flour.
- Sprinkle over the cheesecake layer in the baking dish.
Streusel Layer
- Mix together flour, baking powder, and brown sugar by pulsing in the bowl of a food processor.
- Cut the butter into tablespoon-size pieces and add to the food processor.
- Pulse several times more until the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle 2 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.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples in the baking dish.
- 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.
- Chill for at least 3 hours before cutting into bars and serving. Drizzle apple cheesecake bars with caramel sauce, if desired.
Notes
- 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.
- This is a thick bar with a substantial cheesecake layer. You can half or use ⅔ of the cheesecake recipe for a bit thinner cheesecake layer.
- 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).
- The smaller you cut your apples will determine how soft they become during baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Wait until the bars are chilled completely before adding the caramel drizzle so that it doesn’t soak in.
Comments
Judy says
62 carbs!!! lol replace the flour with almond flour and sugar with swerve and the only carbs would be from the apples….:) diabetics have to improvise
Sarah says
So good!!!!