I love baking for other people. These amazing Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake Bars were for one of my sweetest friends, Alison, for her birthday.
Alison just started selling Chloe + Isabel jewelry so we also gave her jewelry display stands and the talented Simply Paperie (Laura) designed custom note cards. I'm obsessed with this necklace and will make it mine.
These bars. It's like an apple pie and an apple cobbler had a baby and then jumped in cheesecake. They are to die for. The drizzle of caramel was an after thought but is a necessary edition.
This is a perfect fall dessert, especially with all of the fresh apples. I might have to put this on the menu for Thanksgiving Dinner Dessert.
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake Bars
Crust
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Filling
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Sugar (seperated)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apples
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice (or baking spice)
Crumble Topping
1 cup flour
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Topping
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Using pastry blender or a fork to cut in the softened butter until mixture is crumbly. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
In a large bowl, using an electric or stand mixer, mix softened cream cheese on medium speed until smooth (couple mintues). Mix in 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture over warm crust.
In a small bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and quick oats. Using a pasty blender or fork cut in the softened butter until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
As you peel, core, and chop apples into equal size chunks place in bowl with lemon juice and water. This will keep them from browning as you prepare. Drain lemon juice and water and add in remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, ground cinnamon and apple pie spice. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle crumble topping over apple mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes or until cream cheese mixture is set and crumb topping is golden brown. Let cool completely in baking pan before cutting into squares.
Store in the refrigerator. Before serving, drizzle with caramel ice cream topping becuase why not.
Makes 15-18 bars.
Source: Slightly Adapted from Deliciously Sprinkled
Printer Friendly Recipe
