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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe | Easy Fall Dessert

Discover how to make creamy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with a buttery crust, apples, and caramel swirls. A cozy fall dessert everyone will love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Crust

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling

  • 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups apples, peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)

Optional Toppings

  • Whipped cream
  • Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • A sprinkle of flaky sea salt for contrast

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and Prep
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
  • Make the Crust
    In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the texture resembles wet sand.Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let it cool while you make the filling.
  • Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
    Beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).Add eggs one at a time, mixing gently after each addition — you don’t want to whip in too much air.
  • Add Apples and Cinnamon
    Fold in diced apples and cinnamon using a spatula. You should still see apple chunks throughout the mixture — that’s where the texture magic happens.
  • Layer and Swirl
    Pour the filling over the baked crust. Smooth it out evenly, then drizzle caramel sauce on top.Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the caramel for a marbled look (don’t over-mix!).
  • Bake to Perfection
    Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. The top should look lightly golden and glossy.
  • Cool and Chill
    Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better). This step sets the texture and makes slicing clean and easy.
  • Slice and Serve
    Cut into neat bars using a sharp knife. Wipe the blade between cuts for clean edges.Drizzle with extra caramel sauce and add whipped cream or nuts if you’d like.

Notes

  • Ingredient Tip:
    For deeper flavor, brown the butter before mixing it into the crust — it adds a nutty aroma that complements the caramel beautifully.