Easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars: A Heavenly Dessert
If you’ve ever craved a dessert that combines the best of fall flavors with the creamy goodness of cheesecake, look no further than these Easy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars. These bars are an irresistible treat, boasting a buttery, crunchy graham cracker crust, a velvety cinnamon cheesecake filling, a decadent caramel apple topping, and a luscious dollop of homemade cinnamon whipped cream. Whether you’re preparing for a family gathering, holiday celebrations, or just indulging in a sweet craving, this dessert will surely be a hit.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings 1x
- Category: Cheesecake
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 1/4 cups (302g) graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp (39g) sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (112g) salted butter, melted
For the Cinnamon Cheesecake Filling
- 24 ounces (678g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup (207g) sugar
- 3 tbsp (24g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (173g) sour cream, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
For the Caramel Apple Topping
- 2 large apples, chopped
- 1/4 cup (56g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- Sprinkle of lemon juice
- 1/2 cup (120ml) caramel sauce
For the Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/4 cup (29g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Make the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Mix until well combined.
- Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
Make the Cinnamon Cheesecake Filling
- Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (148°C).
- In a large bowl, blend the cream cheese, sugar, and flour on low speed until smooth and completely combined. This is crucial, as mixing on low helps prevent air bubbles that can cause cracks in the cheesecake.
- Add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, mixing on low until fully incorporated.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled graham cracker crust and spread it out evenly.
- Bake the cheesecake for 30 minutes.
- Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door closed for 20 minutes. Then crack the oven door and leave the cheesecake for another 15 minutes. This gradual cooling process helps prevent cracks from forming on the surface.
- Remove the cheesecake from the oven and place it in the fridge to cool completely, for about 3-4 hours.
Make the Caramel Apple Topping
- While the cheesecake is cooling, prepare the caramel apple topping. Add the chopped apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice to a pan.
- Stir until the apples are well coated in the sugar and spices.
- Cook the apples on medium heat until they reach your desired tenderness, about 10 minutes.
- Allow the apples to cool for a minute before spreading them evenly over the cooled cheesecake.
- Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples and cheesecake for that final touch of sweetness.
Make the Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- To make the whipped cream, add the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon to a mixing bowl.
- Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. This will only take a few minutes, so be sure to watch closely.
- Serve the cheesecake bars with a generous dollop of the whipped cream.
Notes
- Choosing Apples: For the topping, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best. These apples hold their shape when cooked and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the caramel.
- Make It Ahead: These cheesecake bars are perfect for making ahead of time. You can prepare the crust and filling, bake the cheesecake, and let it cool. Then, top with the apples and caramel before serving. The whipped cream can be made just before serving.
- Whipped Cream Variations: For an added twist, you could flavor the whipped cream with maple syrup or even a splash of bourbon for a more adult-friendly dessert.
- Canned Apples: If you’re short on time or fresh apples, you can substitute the fresh apples with canned apple pie filling. Just be sure to drain the syrup to avoid making the topping too runny.