Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

All of the flavours and textures work so well together with the tart apples balancing out the
sweetness of the other components. The crispy short bread crust contrasted the soft cheesecake and tender apples and the crumb topping added another dimension of texture. The caramel sauce was of course the star of the show and the coarse sea salt in it was particularly nice. These are going to disappear quickly! 

These bars start out with a crispy and buttery shortbread base which is topped with a creamy cheesecake, tart granny smith and a rolled oat crumble before being finished off with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce! Servings: makes 9+ bars Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 60 minutes Printable Recipe

ingredients

FOR THE CRUST:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

FOR THE CHEESECAKE:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR THE APPLES:

• 2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

FOR THE CARAMEL SAUCE:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt

directions

FOR THE CRUST:

1. Cut the butter into the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon until combined and crumbly.
2. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8x8 inch baking dish lined with foil.
3. Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until lightly golden brown, about 8-12 minutes, set aside and let cool.

FOR THE CHEESECAKE:

4. Beat the sugar into the cream cheese until smooth.
5. Beat in the egg followed by the vanilla extract.
6. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

FOR THE APPLES:

7. Mix the apples, cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.
8. Sprinkle the apples on top of the cream cheese layer.

FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING:

9. Cut the butter into the flour, sugar, cinnamon and rolled oats until combined and crumbly.
10. Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the apples.
11. Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until the cheesecake has set, about 25-35 minutes, and let cool.

FOR THE CARAMEL SAUCE:

12. Heat the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat and simmer it until it turns a medium amber colour.
13. Remove from heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream.
14. Return to heat and cook until smooth, stirring with a wooden spoon.
15. Stir in the butter.
16. Allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
17. Let cool and serve over the apple cheesecake bars.

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