Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Rating 5.0
| 1
| Last Updated on May 22, 2024
Bring the state fair home with these caramel apple cheesecake bars. Chock full of caramel apple filling and paired with luscious salted caramel, it’s the perfect autumnal dessert for a special gathering or for yourself.
Utensils Dessert
Globe New American
25
ingredients
15
steps
355
minutes
Giselle is a recipe developer and content creator that loves all things sweet and savory. She runs her own food blog, The Busy Spatula, and her work has been featured on Yahoo!, Marvel Studios and the Kitchn.

Ingredients

Servings:
16
For the Shortbread Crust
1 1/4 cup(s)
all-purpose flour (150g)
1/4 cup(s)
brown sugar
2 tbsp
powdered sugar
1/4 tsp
kosher salt, see notes 1
8 tbsp
room temperature unsalted butter, cubed
1/2 tsp
vanilla extract
For the Caramel Apple Filling
5
tart apples, such as Granny Smith
4 tbsp
unsalted butter
1/4 cup(s)
dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp
ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp
ground nutmeg
1
pinch salt
For the Cheesecake Filling
16 oz
cream cheese, softened
28 oz
sweetened condensed milk
2
large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp
vanilla paste, see notes 2
1/4 tsp
kosher salt, see notes 1
chopped peanuts, for topping, optional
For the Salted Caramel Sauce
1 cup(s)
granulated sugar
2 tbsp
light corn syrup, see notes 3
1/4 cup(s)
water
1/2 cup(s)
heavy cream, room temperature
4 tbsp
salted butter, room temperature
1 tsp
kosher salt, see notes 1
1 tsp
pure vanilla extract
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Directions 15 steps | 355 Minutes

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, powdered sugar and kosher salt. Pulse to combine.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2

Add the softened butter and vanilla extract. Pulse until the dough just comes together. The mixture will look crumbly. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and press the mixture into the bottom. Use a fork to dock the dough all over. Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden. Let the crust cool completely. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Add the softened butter and vanilla extract.
Step 3

While the crust is cooling, make the caramel apple filling. Peel and core the apples. Slice the apples to ¼ inch thickness. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: While the crust is cooling, make the caramel apple filling.
Step 4

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the dark brown sugar ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and salt. Stir until the dark brown sugar melts. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
Step 5

Add the sliced apples and cook until the apples soften and turn golden brown, about 8 minutes. Set aside. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Add the sliced apples and cook until the apples soften and turn golden brown, about 8 minutes.
Step 6

Prepare the cheesecake filling. In a bowl, use either a handheld mixer or a whisk to beat the cream cheese until smooth.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Prepare the cheesecake filling.
Step 7

Add in the sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla extract and salt. Mix on medium speed until smooth.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Add in the sweetened condensed milk and beat until smooth.
Step 8

Pour half of the caramel apple filling into the cooled shortbread crust. Reserve the remaining apple pie filling in the refrigerator. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Pour half of the caramel apple filling into the cooled shortbread crust.
Step 9

Cheesecake batter over the caramel apple filling. Prepare a water bath by placing the 9x9-inch baking pan into a larger metal pan, like an 11 or 12-inch round cake pan or in a roasting pan. Place the stacked pans into the oven and carefully fill the larger cake or roasting pan halfway with the hot water from the kettle. Be careful not to splash water into the cheesecake batter.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Cheesecake batter over the caramel apple filling.
Step 10

Bake the cheesecake until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly, about 50 minutes to 1 hour.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Bake the cheesecake until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly, about 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 11

While the cheesecake is baking, prepare the salted caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, stir together the granulated sugar, light corn syrup and water. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook, undisturbed until the sugar reaches an amber color (around 330°F), about 10 minutes.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: While the cheesecake is baking, prepare the salted caramel sauce.
Step 12

Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the salted caramel sauce is smooth. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream.
Step 13

Take the sauce off of the heat and stir in the salted butter. Once the butter is incorporated, stir in the kosher salt and vanilla extract. Set aside.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Take the sauce off of the heat and stir in the salted butter.
Step 14

Once the cheesecake is done, let it cool completely and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours. When completely chilled, remove cheesecake from the pan and cut into squares.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Once the cheesecake is done, let it cool completely and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours.
Step 15

Top each square with the reserved caramel apple filling and top with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. Finish with a sprinkling of peanuts, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Top each square with the reserved caramel apple filling and top with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.

Notes:

  1. This recipe uses Diamond Crystal kosher salt. Different kosher salt brands have varied crystal sizes and may affect the salinity of the recipe, so adjust accordingly.
  2. 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract can be used in place of the vanilla paste.
  3. Corn syrup will prevent crystalization and ensure a smooth caramel. If you do not want to use corn syrup, substitute it with granulated sugar instead.

Nutrition Per Serving
View All
CALORIES
541
FAT
29.1 g
PROTEIN
8 g
CARBS
63.6 g
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Carmela G.

Carmela

Cozymeal Team Member

04 Mar 2024

Simply delicious. A recipe that you should try.

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