This delightful Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars recipe comes together in about 45 minutes and it’s baked to perfection for a quick and easy dessert your family will love! Packed with creamy cheesecake and the sweet, comforting flavors of apples and caramel, these bars are sure to become a hit in your home. What’s great is you can switch up the fruit or sauce based on what you have in the pantry, making it super versatile! Perfect for a fall gathering or an indulgent weeknight dessert, you might even find them worthy of being a “clean out the fridge” treat!
Ingredients Breakdown
Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
Graham cracker crumbs form the base of our delicious cheesecake bars. They add a delightful crunch and that sweet, toasty flavor that complements the creamy cheesecake perfectly. If you don’t have graham crackers on hand, you can use crushed Oreos for a chocolatey twist. Fun fact, I’ve also used crushed vanilla wafers before, and they worked just as well!
Butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Butter is going to give you the best flavor and texture for this recipe. I prefer unsalted butter so that I can control the sodium level myself. If you are looking for a healthier option, you can substitute coconut oil for a subtle, tropical flavor. Just remember to melt it first!
Cream Cheese
2 cups cream cheese, softened
Cream cheese is the star of the show here, giving that beautiful, rich, creamy texture. Leave it out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you start mixing—it makes a BIG difference! If you’re in a pinch, you could use neufchâtel cheese, which is a lower-fat alternative that still delivers on creaminess.
Granulated Sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
Sugar sweetens our cheesecake, balancing the tartness of the apples and enhancing all those warm flavors. You could try using brown sugar for an extra caramel-like depth, or a sweetener like Stevia if you’re cutting back on sugar.
Eggs
2 large eggs
Eggs are essential for binding all the ingredients together, giving your bars that perfect texture. You could use flaxseed meal mixed with water as a vegan alternative, just 1 tablespoon of flax mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg!
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile. I always use pure vanilla extract for the best taste, but if you have imitation vanilla on hand, that will work too in a pinch!
Apples
2 cups apples, peeled and diced
Fresh, crisp apples offer the perfect bite and sweetness. I love using Granny Smith apples for their tartness, but feel free to use whatever variety you have lying around. Fresh or frozen apples work well in this recipe; just be sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid from the frozen ones!
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Cinnamon is a staple in fall baking; it brings that warm, cozy flavor that screams comfort food! You can always add a touch more if you like it spicier, or even mix in spices like nutmeg or allspice for a twist.
Caramel Sauce
1 cup caramel sauce
This is the best part! Drizzling a generous amount of caramel sauce on top before baking adds a fun sticky texture and makes it taste like autumn in a bite. You can use store-bought, but I love making homemade caramel sauce when I have the time. Oh, and if you want to get a little fancy, a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the caramel is incredible!
How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish (about 9×13 inches) or line it with parchment paper. The smell of that oven warming up ah, pure happiness!Make the Crust
In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir until all the crumbs are coated and look slightly wet. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form a strong crust. Squeeze it down tight, so it doesn’t crumble when you cut those bars!Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until it’s smooth and creamy. You’ll want to beat it until there are no lumps (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in that dreamy vanilla extract.Add Apples and Cinnamon
Fold in your diced apples and the cinnamon gently. Trust me; it smells amazing! Make sure those apples are evenly spread throughout the mixture.Combine with Crust
Pour the cheesecake mixture over your graham cracker crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Ooh, look at that creamy goodness!Caramel Drizzle
Drizzle that caramel sauce over the top. You might want to do a zig-zag pattern like you’re decorating a cake! The caramel will melt and seep into the cheesecake, making it even more irresistible.Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set and only slightly jiggles when you move it. You want that perfect gooey texture that nearly melts in your mouth!Cool and Serve
Allow your caramel apple cheesecake bars to cool in the baking dish before slicing them into squares. You can serve them as is, or drizzle with additional caramel sauce if you’re feeling generous!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I want to impress guests with a delicious dessert or when I need to bring something to a potluck. I’m a real sucker for anything with caramel and apples; they pair so beautifully together! The best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand apples, pears or even berries work. My kids are obsessed with these bars, and they disappear faster than I can serve them!
If you loved this Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, be sure to check out my Cranberry Curd Tart, my Easy Blueberry Waffles, or my Berry Crumb Cake!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food
These bars are loaded with tons of flavor and are the epitome of comfort food. Seriously, when you take that first bite, it’s like a warm hug on a chilly fall evening! It’s the rich creaminess paired with sweet apples and a drizzle of caramel that has everyone coming back for seconds!
Quick & Easy
The whole recipe comes together in under an hour, making it a quick and easy weeknight treat. Minimal hassle means more time to snuggle up on the couch with a plate of these!
Customize Easily
This recipe is super adaptable. If you have other fruit lying around pears, for instance, or maybe some leftover berries, feel free to toss those in instead. It’s great for making that last-minute dessert from pantry staples!
Make-Ahead Friendly
You can prepare these cheesecake bars a day ahead. Just keep them covered in the fridge! They actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together.
Crowd-Pleaser
Trust me; the whole family will love them! I mean, who can refuse creamy cheesecake bars drizzled with caramel? You’ll have everyone begging for the recipe; I guarantee it!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Dessert
These bars are perfect on their own, but if you want to get a little extravagant, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top or a dollop of whipped cream. A sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts adds an extra crunch!
Storage
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container. Just make sure they’re completely cool before sealing them up!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. You definitely don’t want to heat them for too long or they might end up overcooked!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze these bars for up to 2 months. To freeze, make sure they’re cut and wrapped well in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or boxed in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw in the fridge overnight.
You are definitely going to want to give these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars a try. They are quick, easy, and a guaranteed hit at any gathering or just for a cozy night in with your loved ones. Happy baking, my friends! For more Recipe Follow us in Pinterest.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Stir until all crumbs are coated. Press into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In another bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Add in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Fold in diced apples and cinnamon until evenly incorporated.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the crust and spread evenly.
- Drizzle caramel sauce on top in a zig-zag pattern.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the center is set and slightly jiggles.
- Cool in the dish before slicing into squares.