Description
Delight in these Apple Cheesecake Bars featuring a crumbly graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, tender spiced apples, and a buttery streusel topping. Perfect for fall desserts, these bars combine warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors with a rich, smooth texture for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Cheesecake Layer
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Apple Layer
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Streusel Topping
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside for easy cleanup.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and melted butter until fully combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 8 minutes, then remove from oven and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Layer: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract, mixing well to combine. Pour this cheesecake batter evenly over the cooled crust.
- Prepare the Apple Layer: In a small bowl, toss the chopped apples with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon of flour, ensuring the apples are well coated. Distribute this apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Make the Streusel Topping: Combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a separate bowl. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this streusel topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake the Bars: Bake the assembled pan in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is set and the streusel topping is golden brown.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the bars from the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set before slicing into 12 bars.
Notes
- For added crunch and flavor, mix in 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts with the streusel topping before sprinkling.
- Use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for the best balance of tartness and sweetness, as well as great texture in the bars.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for smooth batter and easy mixing.
- Press the crust firmly into the pan for a stable base that holds well when cutting.
