Irresistibly Creamy Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars You’ll Love

Salted caramel apple cheesecake bars offer a unique twist on classic dessert flavors.

These rich treats mix the creamy feel of cheesecake with the sweet-tart taste of fresh apples, topped off with luxurious salted caramel.

They blend old-fashioned baking methods with exciting, modern flavors that thrill your taste buds.

Dessert lovers and bakers enjoy how versatile these bars are; they fit well at any event or occasion.

The perfect mix of textures and tastes creates an unforgettable experience that hits both sweet and salty notes.

Using seasonal ingredients and balanced elements, these bars turn from a simple dessert into something truly special for every palate.

Why Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Are So Loved

• Quick and Easy Prep: Whip up these delectable bars in under an hour with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for busy home bakers seeking a delightful dessert.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Combo: Blend the classic autumn flavors of caramel, apple, and warm spices into a creamy cheesecake bar that will wow family and friends at gatherings or potlucks.
• Versatile Dessert Option: Enjoy these bars as a casual after-school treat, elegant party dessert, or make-ahead sweet that stores beautifully in the refrigerator for several days, ensuring convenience and minimal last-minute stress.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by switching spices, adding nuts, or experimenting with different caramel drizzles to match personal taste preferences and seasonal moods.

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Ingredients You’ll Need

• All-Purpose Flour: The base that provides structure and texture for the crust.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweet, rich flavor and helps bind the crust together.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, tender crust with a golden color.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic spice to complement the apple flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides subtle, warm depth to the crust's flavor profile.
• Salt: Enhances the overall sweetness and balances the flavors.

• Cream Cheese: The creamy, tangy base for the cheesecake layer.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake filling and helps with texture.
• Large Eggs: Bind the filling and create a smooth, rich consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavor to the cheesecake layer.

• Apples: Fresh, crisp fruit that adds natural sweetness and texture.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: Provides a rich, sweet-salty finish to the dessert.
• Additional Ground Cinnamon: Adds extra warmth and spice to the apple topping.

How To Bake Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Environment

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring some paper hangs over two sides. Lightly spray the surface with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Buttery Base Mixture

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar

Beat the ingredients until they transform into a light, fluffy texture, which takes about 2-3 minutes of continuous mixing.

Step 3: Build Crumbly Crust Foundation

• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Mix on low speed until the mixture becomes delightfully crumbly and resembles coarse sand.

Step 4: Form Crust Layer

Gently press the crumbly mixture evenly across the prepared baking pan, creating a uniform base. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and let the crust cool completely before proceeding with additional layers.

Helpful Tips For Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Prevent Crumbly Crust: Pat the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to ensure a solid, stable base for your cheesecake bars.
• Enhance Spice Flavor: Toast cinnamon and nutmeg briefly in a dry pan before adding to the crust for a deeper, more aromatic taste.
• Create Perfectly Clean Cuts: Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours before slicing to achieve clean, sharp edges and prevent crumbling.
• Balance Caramel Sweetness: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel drizzle to cut through the sweetness and add complexity to the flavor profile.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version of these decadent cheesecake bars.

How To Store Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Properly

• Refrigerate: Store leftover cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
• Wrap Carefully: Cover bars individually with plastic wrap or place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve their beautiful shape.
• Reheating: Bring refrigerated bars to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
• Freezing Option: Freeze well-wrapped bars for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying their creamy, caramel-rich goodness.

Great Pairings With Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop a generous dollop of smooth, cold vanilla ice cream next to the warm, gooey salted caramel apple cheesecake bars for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
• Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Brew a rich, aromatic chai latte with warming spices like cardamom and ginger that beautifully complement the cinnamon and nutmeg in the cheesecake bars.
• Complement with Calvados Apple Brandy: Serve a small glass of French apple brandy alongside the dessert to enhance the apple notes and provide a sophisticated adult twist to the sweet treat.
• Balance with Caramel Macchiato: Enjoy a creamy caramel macchiato that echoes the salted caramel flavor profile and provides a smooth, indulgent beverage pairing.

Fun Add-Ons For Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Gluten-Free Delight: Swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version of these bars. Maintain the same measurements and baking process for a safe, delicious alternative.
• Vegan Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars: Replace butter with coconut oil, use plant-based cream cheese, and substitute eggs with flax eggs. Top with dairy-free caramel sauce made from coconut milk and maple syrup for a completely vegan treat.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar and create a lighter caramel sauce with stevia. Choose low-fat cream cheese to cut down on calories while maintaining the rich, creamy texture of the original recipe.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crust mixture for extra texture and nutty flavor. Sprinkle additional chopped nuts on top of the bars before baking to enhance the overall crunch and nutritional profile.

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Questions Answered

• Can I use a different type of apple for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Just choose firm apples that hold their shape when baked and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness.

• Is it necessary to use parchment paper in the baking pan?

Parchment paper makes removing the bars easier and prevents sticking. If you don’t have parchment paper, generously grease the pan with butter or non-stick spray to help with removal.

• How do I know when the crust is properly baked?

The crust should look slightly golden around the edges and feel set when touched. It will continue to firm up as it cools, so don’t overbake. The 8-minute initial baking helps create a stable base for the cheesecake bars.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the bars a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld together, making them even more delicious when served.

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars combine creamy cheesecake, buttery crust, and autumn-spiced apples for an irresistible dessert. Layers of sweet and salty flavors promise a memorable treat that delights taste buds with each indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 3 (8-ounce) packages (681g) brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into ⅛-inch pieces
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature

Crust and Streusel Base:

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup (159g) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (62g) old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup (106g) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (249g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (227g) sour cream
• ½ cup (113ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (227g) salted caramel sauce
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking vessel by lining a rectangular pan with parchment paper, ensuring two sides have excess paper for easy removal. Coat the surface with a light layer of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Create the foundational crust by whipping softened butter and rich brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 2-3 minutes of vigorous mixing.
3. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients including flour, warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, blending on low speed until the mixture develops a crumbly, sandy texture.
4. Evenly distribute and compress the crumbly mixture across the prepared pan, forming a uniform base layer that will support the subsequent cheesecake components.
5. Transfer the crust to the preheated oven and bake for a brief 8-minute interval, allowing the base to set and develop a light golden hue. Remove and permit the crust to cool completely, maintaining its structural integrity.
6. While the crust cools, prepare the subsequent layers, ensuring each component is ready to be strategically assembled for a harmonious dessert experience.

Notes

• Toast flour lightly before mixing to enhance the nutty flavor and create a more robust crust that adds depth to the cheesecake bars.
• Chill the crust completely before adding cheesecake layer to prevent moisture absorption and maintain a crisp, sturdy base.
• Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling that blends seamlessly and bakes evenly.
• Swap regular ca

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 100mg