Made this recipe for a fall get-together, and it was such a big hit that several asked for the recipe. These bars start with a shortbread crust, a thick cheesecake layer, and are topped with diced cinnamon apples and a sweet streusel topping.
ingredients
Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter softened
Cheesecake Filling:
3, 8-oz pkg cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Apples:
3 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and finely chopped (about 3 cups)
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Streusel Topping:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup butter softened
Drizzle:
1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked
instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or food processor (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9×13 baking pan that is greased or lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
- In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
- For the streusel topping: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture. You can’t use a food processor because it will grind up the oats.
- Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Let bars come to room temperature then store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Can be frozen up to 4 months.
- Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy!
yields
24 bars
Café Sid 