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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 145 reviews

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery biscuit crust with a creamy cheesecake layer, topped with spiced granny smith apples and a crunchy cinnamon crumble. Finished with a drizzle of luscious caramel sauce, these bars offer a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and creamy in every bite, ideal for dessert lovers craving a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 180 g digestive biscuits
  • 70 g unsalted butter (melted)

Cheesecake Layer

  • 320 g full-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 120 g granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)

Spiced Apples

  • 300 g granny smith apples (peeled, cored and chopped to medium cubes)
  • 20 g granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Crumble Topping

  • 100 g unsalted butter (chilled and cubed)
  • 125 g plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 70 g demerara sugar
  • 40 g granulated sugar

To Finish

  • 3 tbsp caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan). Lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan and line it with baking paper, ensuring there is plenty of overhang for easy removal later. Set aside.
  2. Make the Crust: Blitz the digestive biscuits in a food processor or place them in a food bag and crush with a rolling pin until finely ground. Stir in the melted butter until the crumb mixture resembles damp sand. Press evenly into the base of the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or a cup. Chill while you prepare the filling.
  3. Prepare the Cheesecake Batter: Using an electric mixer, beat the full-fat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add the granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract and combine well. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  4. Assemble Cheesecake Layer: Remove the crust from the fridge and pour the cheesecake batter evenly over it. Gently tap the baking tin against your work surface to release any trapped air bubbles.
  5. Prepare Spiced Apples: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped granny smith apples with granulated sugar, lemon zest, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Mix well and let the mixture stand for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
  6. Make Crumble Topping: In another bowl, rub chilled and cubed butter into plain flour, ground cinnamon, demerara sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks sandy and forms coarse crumbs.
  7. Layer Apples and Crumble: Spread the spiced apples evenly over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples for a crunchy finish.
  8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the crumble topping is golden brown and the cheesecake filling is set.
  9. Cool and Chill: Remove from oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely on the countertop. Once cooled, transfer it to the fridge for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, to set fully.
  10. Serve: Using the baking paper overhang, lift the cheesecake out of the pan. Drizzle the top with caramel sauce, slice into bars, and enjoy your decadent caramel apple cheesecake bars.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature to avoid lumps in the cheesecake batter.
  • Peeling and coring the apples ensures a smooth texture and prevents any bitterness from the skin.
  • Using demerara sugar in the crumble adds a delightful crunchy texture and a rich molasses flavor.
  • Letting the cheesecake chill overnight intensifies the flavors and firms up the bars for easier slicing.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute digestive biscuits and plain flour with gluten-free alternatives.

Keywords: caramel apple cheesecake bars, apple dessert bars, creamy cheesecake bars, spiced apple dessert, crumble topping, caramel drizzle

Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-recipe/