Name: Apple Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 85 min
Total time: 380 min
Ingredients: 2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs1; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 4 tablespoons salted butter (melted); 16 ounces whipped cream cheese; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups apples (diced, about 3 apples); 2 tablespoons lemon juice; ½ cup light brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch; 1 cup 1-minute oatmeal; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup light brown sugar; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold and finely diced); caramel sauce (for drizzle); whipped cream (optional)

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are made with a shortbread crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, cinnamon baked apples, and an oatmeal crumble topping!

This delicious cheesecake recipe is a twist on my Pear Cheesecake Bars. They’re perfect for small family gatherings and holidays!

Square slice of apple cheesecake bar with caramel drizzle on a white plate.

After all, with the holiday season just around the corner, you’ll need lots of dessert recipe inspiration.

But today, we’re talking about Apple Cheesecake Bars. They’re a luscious treat you’ll want to share with friends and family now through December!

These decadent goodies consist of a shortbread crust filled with a creamy cheesecake layer and followed by tender baked apples spiced with cinnamon and loaded with caramel. The finishing touch is an oatmeal crumble topping that’s buttery and rich.

A square slice of an apple cheesecake bar on a white plate drizzled with caramel sauce. Apples and more slices of cheesecake are in the background.

How Do You Make Them?

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and prepare your baking pan. Combine shortbread cookie crumbs and sugar in a medium bowl and make a small well. Pour the melted butter in the well and mix until evenly combined.
Transfer the crust mixture to the prepared pan and gently press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 8 minutes.
While the crust is baking, beat together the cheesecake filling ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy and set aside.
Add finely chopped apples to a medium saucepan and add in the lemon juice, stirring to coat, and cook over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes until apples are tender and juice has started to form.
In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, then stir it into the apples and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, once the mixture has thickened and resembles pie filling, remove from heat.
To make the oatmeal crumble, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and use a pastry cutter to cut in the butter or your fingers to mix the ingredients together, squishing the cubes of butter until the mixture is crumbly.
Now it’s time to start assembling the cheesecake bars. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked crust and spread out evenly.
Top the cheesecake mixture with the apple filling. Top the apple filling with the crumble topping. Bake cheesecake bars until the top of the crumble is a light golden brown. Cool/chill until the filling is set.

Find the full recipe and printable instructions in the recipe card below!

Photo collage with step-by-step photos showing how to make apple cheesecake bars.

How To Cut Them:

Before cutting, the bars should be thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or even overnight.

Pro Tip: To keep the edges of your squares neat and tidy, wipe the knife off with a damp cloth in between each slice.

Can They Be Frozen?

These treats can be frozen for up to three months. First, they need to be put in the freezer uncovered until firm. When they’re no longer soft, they can be wrapped in heavy-duty aluminum foil then placed in a plastic freezer bag.

When it’s time to eat them, unwrap and let sit on the counter to thaw before serving.

Slice of caramel apple cheesecake with a bite taken out of it.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars offer all the flavor of an apple cheesecake, but they’re so much easier to make. There’s a lot of room for error when it comes to making a traditional cheesecake, but these bars are a breeze.

Plus, these grab-and-go squares are easy to serve at casual get-togethers. No utensils required!

Needless to say, cheesecake bars are pretty much a guaranteed hit for adults and kids alike. Make them now with your fresh-picked apples, and keep whipping ‘em up throughout the holiday season!

If you love easy cheesecake-inspired recipes, be sure to try Sopapilla Cheesecake, Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip, Blueberry Cheesecake Bars, Cranberry Cheesecake Bars, and No-Bake Raspberry Cheesecake!

Apple Cheesecake Bars

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