Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

makes 25 bars

Ingredients

Crust
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
Cream Cheese Filling
• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 1 Tbsp, divided
• 1 egg
• 2 small Granny Smith apple, peeled and small diced
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Steusel Topping
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce
• 
  

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Line a 9x9 baking pan with foil.
3. In a medium sized bowl combine crust ingredients, flour, brown sugar and butter. Using a pastry cutter, or fork combine the ingredients until they make a coarse crumb.
4. Press mixture firmly in the bottom of the pan and bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly browned.
5. Meanwhile, in a mixing bow, combine cream cheese, vanilla, egg and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Beat until combined and smooth. Set aside.
6. Dice apples and sprinkle with remaining 1 Tbsp sugar and 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Stir until coated evenly. Set aside.
7. Make streusel by combining all ingredients, light brown sugar, flour, oats and butter and stir with your pastry cutter or fork until evenly mixed. Set aside.
8. When crust is done baking, spread the cream cheese mixture on top of warm crust, top with diced apples and finally with streusel.
9. But back in oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until center is set.
10. When done drizzle caramel sauce all over the top.
11. Let the pan cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes and then place in refrigerator to chill for approximately 2 hours, or overnight.
12. Cut into squares when ready to serve.

Notes: store in an airtight container for up to 3 days

Recipe adapted from Paula Deen