Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars

Description

If you’re in the mood for a rich, decadent dessert that blends multiple layers of flavor, the Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars are a perfect choice. This dessert features a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy spiced apple cheesecake filling, and a crumbly brown sugar streusel topping, all drizzled with a luxurious salted caramel sauce. It’s an ideal treat for fall gatherings or any time you crave a comforting, sweet delight.

Ingredients

• For the Shortbread Crust:
  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (159g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
• For the Spiced Apple Creamy Cheesecake Filling:
  • 3 (8 oz each, 681g) brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup (227g) sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups (249g) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (113ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into 1/8-inch pieces
• For the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping:
  • 1/2 cup (106g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (62g) old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (227g) salted caramel sauce, for drizzling
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Step-by-step Directions

1. For the Shortbread Crust:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to overhang for easy removal, and spray with non-stick baking spray. Using a mixer, beat the butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

2. For the Spiced Apple Cheesecake Filling:

In the same mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Add eggs and yolks one at a time, followed by the flour, and mix well. Incorporate heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Fold in the diced apples gently and pour over the cooled crust, smoothing out the surface.

3. For the Brown Sugar Streusel Topping:

Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon in a bowl. Pour in melted butter, stirring until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle this streusel evenly over the cheesecake layer.

4. Baking:

Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center sets and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool in the pan completely before chilling in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

5. Finishing:

Drizzle with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt before slicing into bars and serving.

Servings & Preparation Time

This recipe yields approximately 24 bars. Preparation time is about 30 minutes, with an additional cooking time of 50 minutes. Total time, including chilling, is approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes.

Tips for Storage & Reheating

• Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the bars on a baking sheet until solid, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in zip-lock bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Conclusion

The Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars are a splendid fusion of textures and flavors, making them an irresistible treat for any dessert lover. With its layers of shortbread, cheesecake, streusel topping, and a hint of sea salt, this dessert is not only a delight to eat but also a joy to prepare.

Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 5 hours and 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 bars 1x

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Description

If you’re in the mood for a rich, decadent dessert that blends multiple layers of flavor, the Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars are a perfect choice. This dessert features a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy spiced apple cheesecake filling, and a crumbly brown sugar streusel topping, all drizzled with a luxurious salted caramel sauce. It’s an ideal treat for fall gatherings or any time you crave a comforting, sweet delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (159g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 (8 oz each, 681g) brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup (227g) sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups (249g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (113ml) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into 1/8-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup (106g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (62g) old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (227g) salted caramel sauce, for drizzling
• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to overhang for easy removal, and spray with non-stick baking spray. Using a mixer, beat the butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
2. In the same mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Add eggs and yolks one at a time, followed by the flour, and mix well. Incorporate heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Fold in the diced apples gently and pour over the cooled crust, smoothing out the surface.
3. Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon in a bowl. Pour in melted butter, stirring until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle this streusel evenly over the cheesecake layer.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center sets and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool in the pan completely before chilling in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Drizzle with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt before slicing into bars and serving.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes