Classic Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These Classic Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake filling studded with diced apples, and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce, perfect for a delightful dessert.
Equipment
- Oven
- Medium Bowl
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Large Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work great)
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
Crust Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and graham cracker crumbs until well mixed. Press the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking pan and bake for 8-10 minutes, then set aside.
Cheesecake Filling
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until just combined, then stir in the vanilla extract, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold the finely diced apples into the cream cheese mixture.
Assembly and Baking
- Pour the cheesecake filling evenly over the pre-baked graham cracker crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is mostly set with a slight jiggle.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature.
Chilling and Serving
- Once cooled, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3-4 hours, or preferably overnight to firm up.
- Just before serving, drizzle caramel sauce generously over the chilled bars. Slice into squares and enjoy.
Notes
For best results, make sure your cream cheese is completely softened before mixing to ensure a smooth cheesecake filling. Do not overmix the cheesecake batter after adding the eggs to prevent cracking. Chilling the bars overnight allows them to set perfectly and enhances the flavor and texture. Feel free to use your favorite variety of apple; Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are recommended for their texture and tartness, which balances the sweetness of the caramel and cheesecake.