Caramel Cheesecake Apple Bars with Oat Crumble Topping
These indulgent layered bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, creamy vanilla cheesecake filling, cinnamon-spiced diced apples, and a golden oat crumble topping, all finished with warm caramel sauce. Perfect for fall gatherings or dessert potlucks, they offer the best of apple crisp and cheesecake in one portable treat. The bars require chilling time but can be made ahead, making them ideal for entertaining when you want an impressive dessert that feeds a crowd.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 8oz blocks cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tart apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- ⅓ cup caramel sauce, warmed until runnysugar-free caramel1:1ketodiabetic
or make with coconut cream
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and grease baking pan with non-stick spray
- 2
Cream butter with both sugars until well combined
- 3
Add flour and salt, mix until dough forms
- 4
Press dough into prepared pan bottom
- 5
Bake crust until lightly golden brown around edges
- 6
Beat cream cheese until smooth
- 7
Add sugar, vanilla and eggs to cream cheese, mix until smooth
- 8
Toss diced apples with sugar and cinnamon
- 9
Combine all topping ingredients in large bowl
- 10
Cut cold butter into dry topping ingredients until well incorporated
- 11
Pour cheesecake filling over baked crust
- 12
Scatter seasoned apples over filling
- 13
Top with crumble mixture
- 14
Bake until edges are golden brown
- 15
Cool to room temperature then refrigerate minimum time
- 16
Drizzle with warm caramel sauce before serving
Tips
Make sure cream cheese and butter are properly softened at room temperature for smooth mixing and easy incorporation
Cut cold butter into small pieces before adding to crumble topping to ensure even distribution and proper texture
Allow bars to chill the full minimum time before cutting for clean slices and proper set
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Can be made 1-2 days ahead. Add caramel drizzle just before serving.
Cut into squares and drizzle with warm caramel sauce. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Common Mistakes
Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumpy filling
Don't overbake or cheesecake layer will crack
Chill minimum time or bars will be too soft to cut cleanly
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
or make with coconut cream
FAQ
Can I use a different size pan?
Use 8x8 for thicker bars with longer bake time, or 10x15 for thinner bars with shorter bake time.
What if I don't have a pastry cutter for the topping?
Use two forks or clean hands to work cold butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
How long do these bars keep?
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months wrapped tightly.