Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars – Easy Fall Dessert with Streusel & Caramel Drizzle

These caramel apple cheesecake bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, creamy cheesecake filling, cinnamon-spiced apples, and crunchy streusel topping with a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfect for fall gatherings, they deliver pie-like flavors in easy-to-serve squares that vanish fast.

Ingredients

Scalable for 1x, 2x, or 3x servings. Yields 24 bars.

Shortbread Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling

• 3 (8-ounce) packages full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Spiced Apples

• 3 medium Granny Smith apples (about 3 cups), peeled, cored, and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for brightness)

Streusel Topping

• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional, for extra crunch)

Caramel Drizzle

• 1/2 cup thick caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade, salted preferred)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.

Make the crust. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in softened butter using a pastry blender, two forks, or your hands until crumbly. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool slightly.

Prepare the cheesecake filling. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating just until combined after each. Mix in vanilla. Pour over warm crust and spread evenly. Gently tap the pan on the counter to release air bubbles.

Mix the spiced apples. In a small bowl, toss chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon zest. Spoon evenly over the cheesecake layer.

Create the streusel topping. In another bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, oats, and pecans if using. Cut in softened butter with your hands or a fork until the mixture forms coarse crumbs – press some together for larger chunks. Sprinkle evenly over apples.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the streusel is golden brown and the center is set with a slight jiggle. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

Serve. Use parchment overhang to lift bars from pan. Drizzle with caramel sauce just before slicing. For clean cuts, use a sharp knife wiped clean between slices. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Layer Comparison

Layer	Purpose	Key Tips
Crust	Buttery base	Press firmly; pre-bake for structure ​
Filling	Creamy core	Room-temp cream cheese prevents lumps ​
Apples	Tart contrast	Finely chop for even distribution ​
Streusel	Crunchy finish	Hand-mix for chunky texture ​

Expert Tips and Variations

Use Granny Smith apples for tartness that balances sweetness; Honeycrisp or Gala work too. Full-fat cream cheese yields the creamiest results.

• Make-ahead: Assemble and bake up to 2 days ahead; store covered in fridge. Freeze baked bars (without caramel) up to 4 months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in fridge.
• Storage: Refrigerate up to 5 days. Bring to room temp before drizzling caramel, as it hardens in the fridge.
• Gluten-free: Swap flour and oats for 1:1 gluten-free blends.
• Lighter version: Use one 8-oz cream cheese + 1 cup Greek yogurt; reduce sugar slightly.
• Flavor twists: Swirl 2 tablespoons caramel into filling; add ginger to apples.
• Troubleshooting: Runny center? Bake longer or chill fully. Streusel too fine? Use colder butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Best pan size? 9×13-inch for standard bars; 8×8 for thicker squares (adjust bake time +10 minutes).
• Can I use salted butter? Yes, but reduce added salt in streusel.
• High altitude? Increase oven temp to 375°F; reduce sugar by 2 tablespoons.
• No-bake option? Use a graham crust; chill filling 6+ hours without baking apples/streusel.

Nutrition Facts (Per Bar)

Approximate values based on 24 servings.

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	350
Total Fat	22g
Carbohydrates	35g
Protein	5g
Sugar	24g ​

Serving Suggestions

Pair with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for dessert. Enjoy warm for gooey texture or chilled for fudgy bite. Great for potlucks, tailgates, or holiday trays alongside apple crisp or pumpkin bars.

Nutrition calculated using standard ingredient values; actual may vary.​

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