Creamy cheesecake meets tart apples and buttery streusel in these Apple Cheesecake Bars. They’re easy, festive, and finished with a sweet caramel drizzle that makes every bite irresistible.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cheesecake Bars
Apple Cheesecake Bars combine cheesecake creaminess with the cozy flavor of baked apples and cinnamon spice. You’ll love how the buttery crust holds everything together, while the streusel topping adds crunch. They’re easier than a traditional cheesecake yet taste just as indulgent. Best of all, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving because you can make them ahead and serve a crowd with no stress. Every slice feels comforting and festive.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crust for Apple Cheesecake Bars
2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1 cup softened butter. Mix and press into the pan for a sturdy base.
Cheesecake Filling for Apple Cheesecake Bars
3 (8 oz) packages softened cream cheese, ¾ cup sugar, 3 large eggs, and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract. Smooth, rich, and creamy.
Apple Layer for Cheesecake Bars
3 Granny Smith apples (about 3 cups), peeled, cored, and chopped. Toss with 2 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg for warm flavor.
Streusel Topping
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup oats, ½ cup softened butter. Mix by hand for a crumbly, golden topping.
Caramel Drizzle for Apple Cheesecake Bars
½ cup thick caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade, added after cooling for a sweet finish.
Step-by-Step
Prepare the Apple Cheesecake Bars Crust
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment. Mix flour and sugar, then cut in butter until crumbly. Press into the pan and bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
Make the Cheesecake Filling
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Spread evenly over the warm crust.
Add the Apple Layer to Cheesecake Bars
Toss chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Distribute evenly over the cheesecake filling.
Mix and Add the Streusel Topping
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter by hand until crumbly. Sprinkle generously over the apples.
Bake, Cool, and Set Apple Cheesecake Bars
Bake for 40–45 minutes until the cheesecake layer is set and the topping is golden brown. Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate before cutting.
Add Caramel Drizzle and Serve
Drizzle caramel sauce over chilled bars before serving. Slice into 24 squares and enjoy cold for the best texture.
Recipe Notes & Expert Tips
Best Apples for Cheesecake Bars
Granny Smith apples give a tart balance to the sweetness, but Honeycrisp or Gala can be used for a sweeter twist.
Storage and Freezing
Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days. Freeze without caramel drizzle for up to 4 months, then thaw in the fridge before serving.
Texture and Flavor
Expect creamy cheesecake, tender spiced apples, a crisp streusel, and flaky crust. The balance of sweet and tart makes these bars unforgettable.
Substitutions and Variations
Swap in different apples, add chopped nuts to the streusel, or drizzle with chocolate instead of caramel for a fun variation.
Equipment Needed for Apple Cheesecake Bars
A 9×13-inch baking pan, electric mixer for the filling, and pastry blender or forks for crust and topping. Parchment paper makes slicing easier.
Serving Apple Cheesecake Bars Suggestions
Serve chilled from the fridge with a drizzle of caramel. Pair with warm cider, coffee, or tea for a cozy treat. For extra indulgence, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These bars shine on a Thanksgiving dessert table or at any fall gathering.
Conclusion
Apple Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert. They’re simple to prepare, feed a crowd, and deliver layers of texture and flavor that everyone loves. Creamy, tart, and sweet all at once, they’re sure to become a holiday tradition in your home. For more sweet ideas, check out my Recent Recipes or browse my Pinterest board for inspiration.
Apple Cheesecake Bars
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan lined with parchment for easy removal
- electric mixer for the cheesecake filling
- pastry blender or forks to mix crust and streusel
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (crust)
- ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed (crust)
- 1 cup butter, softened (crust)
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened (filling)
- ¾ cup sugar (filling)
- 3 large eggs (filling)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (filling)
- 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped (apple layer)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (apple layer)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (apple layer)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (apple layer)
- 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed (streusel)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (streusel)
- ½ cup quick oats (streusel)
- ½ cup butter, softened (streusel)
- ½ cup caramel topping (drizzle)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment. Mix flour and brown sugar, cut in butter until crumbly, press into pan, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Spread evenly over warm crust.
- Mix chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Distribute evenly over cheesecake filling.
- Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and butter by hand until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until filling is set and streusel golden. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.
- Drizzle caramel topping over cooled bars before serving. Slice into 24 bars and serve chilled.
