Description
A refined twist on a beloved fall treat, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars marry silky cheesecake with warm spiced apples and a buttery shortbread base.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp fine salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced small
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce, reserved
- Flaky sea salt, optional for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment.
- Pulse flour, sugar, and salt with cold butter until coarse crumbs form; press evenly into the pan. Bake for 12–15 minutes until pale gold at the edges.
- Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sauté until apples are tender, about 6–8 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined; stir in vanilla.
- Fold half of the apple compote into the cheesecake batter. Pour over the crust; dollop remaining compote over the top and gently swirl.
- Bake for 22–28 minutes until edges are set and the center wobbles. Cool completely, then chill for at least 3 hours.
- Prepare the caramel: melt 1/2 cup sugar over medium heat without stirring. When deep amber, whisk in 1/4 cup butter and 1/2 cup cream. Cool until thickened.
- Drizzle caramel over the chilled bars, sprinkle with sea salt, and lift from the pan. Cut into squares with a warm knife.
Notes
Chill fully before slicing for neat edges. Warm apple slice options for autumnal presentation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg