Introduction
Oh, fall! That magical time of year when the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold, there’s a crispness in the air, and all you want to do is curl up with something warm and delicious. And what’s more iconic to fall than the sweet, comforting flavors of caramel and apples? I’ve got a recipe that captures all those cozy feelings in one delightful bite: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. Seriously, these are so easy to whip up, you’ll be making them all season long!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast to Assemble: While they need chilling time, the actual “making” part is surprisingly quick.
- Super Easy: No fancy techniques required here, just simple steps for a big payoff.
- Perfect for Gifting: Pack these up in a cute tin, and you’ve got the most thoughtful homemade gift.
- A True Crowd-Pleaser: From little ones to grandparents, everyone adores these.
Ingredients
Let’s gather our goodies! Don’t worry, it’s all pretty straightforward stuff.
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- 15 graham crackers: These are the foundation of our delicious bar! You can crush them in a food processor or by hand in a ziploc bag.
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar: Just a touch of sweetness for our base.
- 8 tablespoons salted butter, melted: This brings it all together and gives it that classic graham cracker taste.
For the Apple Layer:
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped: Granny Smiths have that perfect tartness that balances the sweet.
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice: A little bit of brightness to keep the apples from browning and add a zing.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: To bring out the natural sweetness of the apples.
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar: For that lovely caramel-like depth.
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice: Whatever cozy spice blend you have on hand will work wonders!
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to enhance all those wonderful flavors.
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 24 ounces cream cheese, softened: Make sure this is nice and soft so it whips up smooth and creamy.
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar: For that luxuriously smooth and sweet cheesecake filling.
- ⅓ cup sour cream, room temperature: This adds a delightful tang and extra creaminess.
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: The heart of our cheesecake flavor!
- 3 large eggs, room temperature: Room temperature eggs blend in much better.
For the Crumb Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: The base for our delightful crumble.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: For sweetness.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Adds that irresistible caramel note.
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned oats: For a wonderful texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Just a little lift!
- 1 ½ teaspoon apple pie spice: Double up on the cozy spices!
- ½ teaspoon salt: To balance the sweetness.
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: The magic ingredient that makes the crumble come together.
Optional Topping:
- ½ cup caramel sauce: For that extra drizzle of pure happiness!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our hands a little floury and create some magic!
- Preheat and Prep: First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). Then, line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Make sure you leave some overhang on the sides – this will be your handy lifter later!
- Crust Time: In a medium bowl, mix up your graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. It should look like damp sand. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Pop it into the oven for about 8-10 minutes until it’s lightly golden. Once done, take it out and let it cool a bit.
- Apple Sensation: Now for the apples! Grab a medium saucepan and combine your chopped apples, lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and salt. Cook this over medium heat, stirring now and then, for about 8-10 minutes. You want the apples to be tender but not mushy. Set this aside to cool down a bit while we make the cheesecake.
- Cheesecake Dream: In a big bowl, beat your softened cream cheese until it’s nice and smooth. Then, gradually beat in the powdered sugar until everything is well combined. Now, stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Finally, add your eggs, one at a time, mixing just until each egg is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix here; we want a smooth, creamy, not airy, cheesecake.
- Assemble Your Masterpiece: Spread that slightly cooled apple mixture evenly over your graham cracker crust. Then, very carefully, pour the cheesecake mixture over the apples. Try to get it as smooth as you can.
- The Crumbly Crown: For our topping, grab another medium bowl. Whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, apple pie spice, and salt. Pour in the melted unsalted butter and stir until it forms lovely little crumbs. Sprinkle this yummy crumb topping evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Bake to Perfection: Carefully place your pan into the preheated oven. Bake for about 45-55 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be set, and the center to be mostly set but still have a slight jiggle. This is key for that perfect creamy texture!
- Cool Down and Chill: Once they’re out of the oven, let these bars cool completely on a wire rack. This is super important! After they’ve cooled at room temperature, pop them into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better. This chilling time is what allows them to firm up perfectly for cutting.
- Slice and Serve: Once they’re nice and chilled, use those parchment paper overhangs to lift the entire block out of the pan. Now, slice them into bars. If you’re feeling extra, drizzle a little of that optional caramel sauce over the top. Enjoy the cozy bliss!
Substitutions & Additions
Feeling creative? I love it! Here are some ways you can make these bars your own:
- Apple Varieties: While Granny Smiths are my go-to, you can certainly mix in other apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for different levels of sweetness and tartness.
- Spice It Up: No apple pie spice? A mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of ginger works beautifully. Or, lean into the pumpkin spice trend!
- Nutty Addition: Toss a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumb topping for an extra crunch.
- Caramel Swirl: For a more integrated caramel flavor, dollop some caramel sauce over the cheesecake layer before adding the crumb topping, then gently swirl it with a toothpick.
- Gluten-Free? You can often find gluten-free graham crackers to make the crust.
Tips for Success
A few little secrets I’ve learned along the way to make sure your bars turn out amazing every time:
- Room Temperature is Key: For the cheesecake layer, make absolutely sure your cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs are at room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Don’t Overmix the Cheesecake: Seriously, this is the number one cheesecake rule! Overmixing incorporates too much air, which can lead to cracking. Mix until just combined.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to cut into them when they’re warm. Chilling is essential for those clean, beautiful bar slices.
- Prep Ahead: You can make the apple mixture and the crumb topping a day in advance and store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
How to Store It
These delicious bars are best kept chilled. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. They might even get tastier as the flavors meld!
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, they’re best made a day ahead to allow them to chill and firm up properly. You can also make the individual components (crust, apple filling, crumb topping) a day in advance.
Why did my cheesecake crack?
The most common culprits are overmixing the cheesecake batter, baking at too high a temperature, or cooling too quickly. Using room temperature ingredients and letting them cool gradually on the counter before refrigerating can help prevent cracks.
Can I freeze Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars?
Yes, you can! Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then in foil. They should freeze well for up to 1-2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a delightful fall treat that capture the cozy flavors of caramel and apples in a delicious, easy-to-make bar. Perfect for gifting or sharing, they feature a graham cracker crust, a tender apple layer, a smooth cheesecake filling, and a sweet crumb topping.
Equipment
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Food processor Optional, for crushing graham crackers
- Ziploc bag Alternative for crushing graham crackers
- Medium bowl Multiple used
- Saucepan
- Big bowl
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 15 graham crackers graham crackers Crushed
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons salted butter Melted
Apple Layer
- 3 Granny Smith apples Peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Cheesecake Layer
- 24 ounces cream cheese Softened
- 1.25 cup powdered sugar
- 0.33 cup sour cream Room temperature
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs Room temperature
Crumb Topping
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 0.33 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter Melted
Optional Topping
- 0.5 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang.
- For the crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted salted butter. Press into the prepared pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool.15 graham crackers graham crackers
- For the apple layer: Combine chopped apples, lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until apples are tender. Set aside to cool.15 graham crackers graham crackers
- For the cheesecake layer: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Stir in sour cream and vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated. Do not overmix.15 graham crackers graham crackers
- Assemble: Spread the cooled apple mixture over the graham cracker crust. Carefully pour the cheesecake mixture over the apples, smoothing the top.15 graham crackers graham crackers
- For the crumb topping: Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, apple pie spice, and salt. Stir in melted unsalted butter until crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly over the cheesecake layer.15 graham crackers graham crackers
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
- Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into bars. Drizzle with optional caramel sauce before serving.15 graham crackers graham crackers
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Can be frozen for 1-2 months.