Taste of Home Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

I love the combination of caramel and apples so when I saw this recipe from Taste of Home, I knew I wanted to make it. I’m so glad I did as this was very good. It did take a little bit of time to make but the outcome was sweet and creamy with a nice crunchy top.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
• 2 packages cream cheese, softened 8 Oz.
• 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 medium tart apples, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the streusel

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl combine flour, brown sugar, cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a well-greased 13×9 baking dish and bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile in a large bowl beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup of sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs and beat on low speed just until combined. Spread over the cooled crust.

In a small bowl toss apples with cinnamon nutmeg and remaining sugar. Spoon over the cream cheese layer. In another bowl mix flour, brown sugar, and oats. Cut in butter until crumbly and sprinkle over the apple layer.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.

Enjoy!