Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars | Creamy, Crunchy & Perfect for Fall

🎉 Introduction
When it comes to fall desserts, caramel apples and cheesecake are two classics that never go out of style. Put them together, and you get the ultimate indulgence: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars.

These bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust, a silky smooth cheesecake filling, a spiced cinnamon-apple topping, and a buttery pecan crumble—finished with a drizzle of sweet caramel sauce. They’re rich, flavorful, and perfectly portioned for serving at Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or cozy autumn nights.

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as elegant as it is comforting, this recipe will quickly become your new fall favorite.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sharp knife & cutting board (for apples)

🛒 Ingredients

Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 7 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Cheesecake Layer:

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup heavy cream

Apple Layer:

• 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup pecans, chopped

Caramel Drizzle:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
• Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.
• Bake for 8 minutes, then set aside.

Step 2: Make Cheesecake Layer

• Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
• Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and heavy cream.
• Pour mixture over cooled crust.

Step 3: Prepare Apple Layer

• Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Spread evenly over cheesecake filling.

Step 4: Make Streusel Topping

• Combine flour, brown sugar, and salt.
• Cut in softened butter until crumbly.
• Stir in pecans.
• Sprinkle streusel over apples.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

• Bake for 40–45 minutes, until center is just set.
• Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Step 6: Make Caramel Sauce

• In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat.
• Cook until golden amber, then carefully whisk in butter.
• Remove from heat and stir in cream and a pinch of salt.
• Let cool slightly before drizzling.

Step 7: Slice & Serve

• Cut chilled cheesecake into bars.
• Drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: About 16 bars
• Prep time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 45 minutes
• Cooling & chilling time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Total time: 4 hours 40 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze un-drizzled bars up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Reheating: Not needed, but bars taste great slightly chilled or at room temp.

🥄 Variations

• Salted Caramel Apple Bars: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over caramel drizzle.
• Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars: Add a pinch of allspice and extra cinnamon for more pie flavor.
• Nut-Free: Omit pecans and add rolled oats to the streusel.
• Maple Caramel Drizzle: Replace some sugar in caramel sauce with maple syrup.
• Mini Cheesecake Cups: Bake in muffin tins for single-serve desserts.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Do I have to use Granny Smith apples?
   • No, but their tartness balances the sweetness beautifully.
2. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
   • Yes, for convenience you can skip the homemade version.
3. Do I need to use heavy cream in the cheesecake filling?
   • It adds creaminess, but sour cream works as a substitute.
4. Can I make these bars gluten-free?
   • Yes, use gluten-free graham crackers and flour.
5. How do I know when the cheesecake is done baking?
   • The center should be slightly jiggly but not liquid.
6. Can I double this recipe?
   • Yes, bake in a larger pan and adjust bake time as needed.
7. Can I make it ahead of time?
   • Definitely! Best when chilled overnight.
8. Can I use a hand mixer instead of stand mixer?
   • Yes, just mix until smooth—don’t overbeat.
9. What nuts work best in the streusel?
   • Pecans are classic, but walnuts or almonds also work.
10. How should I cut clean bars?
    • Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat slices.

🏁 Conclusion
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars bring together the best of both worlds—classic fall apple pie and creamy cheesecake—in a handheld, sharable dessert. With their buttery crust, silky cheesecake, spiced apple topping, crumbly streusel, and caramel drizzle, they’re a dessert that wows at any occasion.

Perfect for fall holidays, family gatherings, or simply treating yourself, these bars are as beautiful as they are delicious. Bake a batch today, and watch them disappear in no time!

Adam

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars | Creamy, Crunchy & Perfect for Fall

When it comes to fall desserts, caramel apples and cheesecake are two classics that never go out of style. Put them together, and you get the ultimate indulgence: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. These bars combine a buttery graham cracker crust, a silky smooth cheesecake filling, a spiced cinnamon-apple topping, and a buttery pecan crumble—finished with a drizzle of sweet caramel sauce. They’re rich, flavorful, and perfectly portioned for serving at Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or cozy autumn nights. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as elegant as it is comforting, this recipe will quickly become your new fall favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Cooling & chilling time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 7 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Cheesecake Layer:

• 16 oz cream cheese softened
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup heavy cream

Apple Layer:

• 3 medium Granny Smith apples peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter softened
• ¼ cup pecans chopped

Caramel Drizzle:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sharp knife & cutting board (for apples)

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
4. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.
5. Bake for 8 minutes, then set aside.

Step 2: Make Cheesecake Layer

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
2. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and heavy cream.
3. Pour mixture over cooled crust.

Step 3: Prepare Apple Layer

1. Toss diced apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Spread evenly over cheesecake filling.

Step 4: Make Streusel Topping

1. Combine flour, brown sugar, and salt.
2. Cut in softened butter until crumbly.
3. Stir in pecans.
4. Sprinkle streusel over apples.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

1. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until center is just set.
2. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Step 6: Make Caramel Sauce

1. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat.
2. Cook until golden amber, then carefully whisk in butter.
3. Remove from heat and stir in cream and a pinch of salt.
4. Let cool slightly before drizzling.

Step 7: Slice & Serve

1. Cut chilled cheesecake into bars.
2. Drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Freeze un-drizzled bars up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating: Not needed, but bars taste great slightly chilled or at room temp.

🥄 Variations

Salted Caramel Apple Bars: Sprinkle flaky sea salt over caramel drizzle.

Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars: Add a pinch of allspice and extra cinnamon for more pie flavor.

Nut-Free: Omit pecans and add rolled oats to the streusel.

Maple Caramel Drizzle: Replace some sugar in caramel sauce with maple syrup.

Mini Cheesecake Cups: Bake in muffin tins for single-serve desserts.

❓ 10 FAQs

Do I have to use Granny Smith apples?

No, but their tartness balances the sweetness beautifully.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes, for convenience you can skip the homemade version.

Do I need to use heavy cream in the cheesecake filling?

It adds creaminess, but sour cream works as a substitute.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free graham crackers and flour.

How do I know when the cheesecake is done baking?

The center should be slightly jiggly but not liquid.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, bake in a larger pan and adjust bake time as needed.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Definitely! Best when chilled overnight.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of stand mixer?

Yes, just mix until smooth—don’t overbeat.

What nuts work best in the streusel?

Pecans are classic, but walnuts or almonds also work.

How should I cut clean bars?

Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat slices.

🏁 Conclusion
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars bring together the best of both worlds—classic fall apple pie and creamy cheesecake—in a handheld, sharable dessert. With their buttery crust, silky cheesecake, spiced apple topping, crumbly streusel, and caramel drizzle, they’re a dessert that wows at any occasion.

Perfect for fall holidays, family gatherings, or simply treating yourself, these bars are as beautiful as they are delicious. Bake a batch today, and watch them disappear in no time!