Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

  Even though it is still eighty degrees most days, I am dreaming about Autumn and in anticipation of it's arrival I decided it was time to break out the apple recipes! Like these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. Yum! I don't usually take photos of the cooking process because it is a pain and the lighting in my kitchen stinks but this time I have included pictures of each layer so you can get an idea of what it should look like when you are baking it for yourself. Because you should definitely bake this for yourself. You will regret it forever if you don't. :)

Press the crust into a foil-lined 9x13 inch pan.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Spread the cheesecake mixture over the warm crust.

Sprinkle the chopped apples evenly over the cheesecake.

Mix together the streusel topping.

Sprinkle evenly over the apples.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until the cheesecake layer is set and the topping is lightly browned.


Cool for at least four hours before serving. Serve chilled and drizzled with caramel ice cream topping, if desired. So there is the basic idea. Now for the actual recipe:
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars (adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything who adapted it from Paula Deen) Ingredients: Crust: 2 cups All-Purpose Flour 1/2 cup firmly packed Brown Sugar 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
Cheesecake Filling: 3 (8oz) packages Cream Cheese, softened 3/4 cup Sugar  3 Large Eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
Apple Layer: 3 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped 2 Tablespoons Sugar 1/2 teaspoon Ground Saigon Cinnamon (regular ground cinnamon can be substituted) 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 Unsalted Butter, softened
Caramel Ice Cream Topping
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
CRUST: In a medium bowl, combine flour, and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a knife and stir as you go so that the butter doesn't all stick together. Press evenly into a 9x13 inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
CHEESECAKE FILLING: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring after each addition. Add vanilla and blend until combined. Pour over warm crust.
APPLE LAYER: In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
STREUSEL TOPPING: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter. Stir until butter is evenly distributed. Sprinkle evenly over apple layer. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set and streusel topping is lightly browned. Let cool on counter for 1 hour. Move to refrigerator and cool for at least 3 more hours. Drizzle with caramel ice cream topping and serve chilled.
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