Description
Delight in these Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Bars featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cinnamon-infused cheesecake filling, and spiced tender apple pieces. Finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt, these bars are perfect for a cozy dessert or a sweet treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 6 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples (peeled, cored, and sliced into small pieces)
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- Caramel sauce (store-bought)
- Sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray the pan lightly with cooking spray to help the parchment stick. Set aside.
- Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 3 tablespoons sugar, and graham cracker crumbs. Mix well. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using the bottom of a glass to create a thin, compact layer. Bake the crust for 10 minutes or until it is set and slightly golden. Remove from oven.
- Prepare the apples: In another bowl, combine the peeled and sliced apples with ¼ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Toss gently until all apple pieces are evenly coated with the sugar and cinnamon mixture.
- Make the cheesecake filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, eggs, and ¼ teaspoon salt on medium-high speed for at least 5 minutes until the batter is smooth and creamy. Carefully fold the spiced apples into the cheesecake mixture, ensuring the apples remain intact and evenly distributed.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cheesecake and apple filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, or until the filling is set and slightly puffed around the edges.
- Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the entire block out of the pan using the parchment paper. Slice into 9 squares.
- Serve: Drizzle each bar with store-bought caramel sauce and sprinkle lightly with sea salt before serving to add a delicious sweet and salty finishing touch.
Notes
- Storage (Refrigeration): Store these bars in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Storage (Freezing): To freeze, cool the bars completely. Place them uncovered on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Frozen bars will keep up to 3 months.
Keywords: Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Bars, cheesecake bars, apple dessert bars, caramel cheesecake, cinnamon cheesecake, graham cracker crust dessert