Saturday, October 13, 2012

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

This is a Paula Dean original. It's very good. I think it's the perfect fall dessert. It does require quite a bit of work. There are several parts to this recipe. A crust, a filling, a topping and a topping to the topping! But, it was worth it! It makes an obscene amount as well, so plan on sharing!




Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars:
Ease:* Taste:****

Ingredients:
Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 

Cheesecake Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup caramel topping

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. 

For the streusel topping:  
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture.

Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Store in the fridge. Allow about 3-4 hours in the fridge before cutting.
Makes 24


Mix up the crust.


Press into the pan (I used wax paper)
Bake.


Chop apples while it's baking.


Mix up the cream cheese filling.


Pour onto baked crust.



Season apples.


Spoon apples on top!



Cover in topping and bake!


Drizzle caramel on after it's done baking! Refrigerate, cut and enjoy!


Me ^^^ enjoying!


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