Description
Decadent layered dessert bars featuring a brown sugar shortbread crust, rich cream cheese filling, cinnamon-spiced Granny Smith apples, oat streusel topping, and caramel drizzle. Perfect for autumn gatherings and holiday entertaining.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup softened butter
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened (that’s 24 oz total!)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Apple Layer:
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped (about 3 cups)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup quick oats
- ½ cup softened butter
For the Drizzle:
- ½ cup caramel topping
Instructions
Line your 9×13 pan with parchment paper so you can lift the bars out later.
Mix flour and brown sugar in a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until it looks like wet sand. Press into your pan bottom. Bake 15 minutes until light brown.
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth – takes about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Spread over hot crust.
Peel and chop apples into small pieces. Mix with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over cheesecake.
Mix brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter until clumpy. Sprinkle over apples.
Put back in oven for 40-45 minutes. Center shouldn’t wiggle when you shake the pan.
Let cool completely, then refrigerate 4 hours minimum.
Drizzle caramel on top right before serving.
Notes
Chop apples the night before and keep in fridge with lemon juice
Clean your knife between cuts for neat squares
Don’t overbake – cheesecake should barely wiggle in center
Grate cold butter for streusel if you forgot to soften it
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes (15 min crust + 45 min bars)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American