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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars bring together apples, cheesecake, and cookie crumble for an irresistible treat. 🍂 Fall baking at its best!
Apples in Caramel
If you love caramel apple desserts, this caramel apple cheesecake bars recipe will quickly become a favorite. With a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, spiced apples in caramel, and a crumb topping, every bite is packed with flavor. This recipe for apple cheesecake bars is a fall classic, but it is delicious enough to make all year long.
Caramel apple desserts recipes often feel complicated, but this one is simple to follow and perfect for home bakers. The combination of cheesecake, apples in caramel, and crumb topping makes this one of the best caramel apple desserts you will ever try.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines creamy cheesecake with tart apples in caramel.
- Easy to make with pantry staples.
- Perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or weeknight desserts.
- One of the most requested caramel apple desserts recipes at parties.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Granny Smith apples – substitute with Honeycrisp or Braeburn
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar – omit if needed, flavor will be slightly less rich
- pumpkin pie spice – substitute with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves (use less of each as needed)
- salt
- graham crackers – substitute with cinnamon graham crackers or, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers, or gingersnaps make great alternatives to graham crackers.
- granulated sugar
- salted butter – substitute with unsalted butter plus a pinch of salt
- cream cheese – full fat recommended; substitute with neufchâtel for lighter texture
- powdered sugar – substitute with granulated sugar (texture may be grainy)
- sour cream – substitute with greek yogurt
- vanilla extract – substitute with bourbon, brandy, or rum
- large eggs
- oatmeal cookie mix – Betty Crocker recommended
- old-fashioned oats – substitute with quick oats (texture will change slightly)
- salted butter – substitute with unsalted butter plus a pinch of salt
- caramel sauce – store-bought or homemade
✨ Variations
- Use cinnamon graham crackers for a spiced crust.
- Swap the crumb topping with crushed vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies.
- Drizzle chocolate sauce in addition to caramel for a richer twist.
- Try pears instead of apples for a fun seasonal change.
🔥 Tips
- Drain excess juice from apples before layering to prevent sogginess.
- Always use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for a smooth cheesecake layer.
- Chill bars for at least 5 hours for the best set texture.
- A slotted spoon works best for adding apples in caramel to the cheesecake layer.
❓ FAQs
Granny Smith apples are classic, but Honeycrisp or Braeburn also work in this recipe for apple cheesecake bars.
No, store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly, but homemade caramel sauce will elevate these caramel apple desserts even more.
It is a blend of creamy cheesecake, tart apples in caramel, and a buttery crumb topping – the ultimate treat for caramel apple desserts lovers.
Yes, this caramel apple cheesecake bars recipe needs refrigeration, so it is a great make-ahead dessert.
Yes, pumpkin can be used instead of apples for a seasonal twist, but the texture will be different.
You can, but full-fat cream cheese is best for a rich and creamy cheesecake layer. Low-fat versions may not set as firmly.
Yes, you can leave it off for a smoother top, but the oatmeal cookie topping adds a delicious crunch.
The edges should be set, and the center should still have a slight wobble. It will firm up as it cools and chills.
Peeling is recommended for the best texture, but you can leave the skin on if you prefer more chew and fiber.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Appetizers
S’mores Salted Caramel Apple Nachos
Dessert
Caramel Apple Galette
Dessert
Caramel Apple Snickers Salad
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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
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Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- food processor or zip-top bag and rolling pin
- hand mixer or stand mixer
- mixing utensils
- rubber spatula
- slotted spoon
- parchment paper (optional)
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 3 small granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Crust
- 15 graham crackers
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup salted butter, melted (1 stick)
Cheesecake Filling
- 3 packages cream cheese, softened (8-ounce)
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup sour cream, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
Crumb Topping
- 1 bag oatmeal cookie mix, (17.5-ounce)
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup salted butter, melted (1 stick)
For Serving
- Caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.3 small granny smith apples, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a food processor, pulse graham crackers until fine crumbs form. Add sugar and melted butter, pulse until the mixture holds together.15 graham crackers, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, ½ cup salted butter
- Press mixture firmly into prepared pan. Cover and freeze while preparing filling.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add sour cream and vanilla, mixing just until combined.3 packages cream cheese, 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar, ⅓ cup sour cream, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- Beat in eggs until smooth and glossy, but do not overmix. Set aside.3 large eggs
- In another bowl, combine cookie mix, oats, and melted butter until crumbly. Set aside.1 bag oatmeal cookie mix, ⅓ cup old-fashioned oats, ½ cup salted butter
- Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over the chilled crust.
- Top with apples using a slotted spoon (leave excess juice behind).
- Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over apples, pressing lightly with damp fingers.
- Bake 35-45 minutes until edges are set and center is slightly wobbly.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate 5 hours or overnight.
- Cut into squares and serve chilled with caramel sauce.Caramel sauce
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Cut into squares before storing to prevent sticking.
♨️ REHEATING
- Best served chilled. If desired, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freezing is not recommended, as the texture and appearance will be compromised.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Drain the apple mixture with a slotted spoon before layering to avoid excess moisture.
- Use room temperature cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs for a smooth cheesecake layer.
- Press the crust firmly into the pan to prevent it from crumbling.
- Mix the crumb topping by hand for the best texture.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- These bars are best baked in a conventional oven. Alternate methods (air fryer, stovetop, slow cooker) are not recommended for this recipe.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Leftovers can be enjoyed cold straight from the fridge.
- Add extra caramel drizzle before serving for a fresh look.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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