Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Prep Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 1 hr
• Serving Size: 12 bars

 

Ingredients

• FOR THE CRUST:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• FOR THE FILLING:
• 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons (divided)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  eggs

• 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• FOR THE TOPPING:
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 bag caramel cubes (I used Kraft)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

 

Directions

1. 1Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. 2In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup butter. Using 2 forks or a pastry cutter, mix until a crumbly mixture forms.
3. 3Press the dough evenly into prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly brown.
4. 4Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Adding the eggs one at a time, incorporating well before adding the next. Mix in vanilla extract.
5. 5In a small bowl, combine chopped apples with cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar. Toss to coat.
6. 6Pour cheesecake mixture over prepared crust. Sprinkle apples over mixture evenly.
7. 7In a smaller bowl, mix together 1 cup flour, oats, and 1/2 cup brown sugar for the crumb topping. Cover cheesecake mixture and apples with the crumb topping. (This will be a thick layer.)
8. 8Bake 30 minutes or until cheesecake is set. Let cool completely before cutting.
9. 9In a medium glass bowl, add caramel cubes and heavy cream. Microwave bowl 20 seconds at a time, stirring between each interval. Pour caramel sauce over bars. (Do this quickly, as the caramel will harden fast!)