Description
Delight in these rich and creamy Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Bars, featuring a buttery graham cracker crust topped with spiced apples and smooth cheesecake filling. Finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce and a sprinkle of sea salt, these bars are perfect for a cozy dessert or special occasion treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 6 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large apples (peeled, cored, and sliced into small pieces)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Topping
- Caramel sauce (store-bought)
- Sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper after spraying the pan with cooking spray to help the parchment stick. Set aside.
- Make crust: In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons sugar, and graham cracker crumbs. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan using the bottom of a glass for a thin, compact layer. Bake for 10 minutes until set.
- Prepare apples: In another bowl, mix peeled and sliced apples with ¼ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon, coating the apple pieces evenly to infuse flavor.
- Make cheesecake filling: In the bowl of a mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and salt on medium-high speed for at least 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the spiced apples to combine without breaking down the pieces.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cheesecake mixture evenly over the baked crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake uncovered for about 1 hour or until the filling is set and slightly puffed.
- Cool and slice: Allow the cheesecake bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift them out using the parchment paper and slice into squares.
- Add toppings: Drizzle bars with caramel sauce and sprinkle lightly with sea salt for a delicious finishing touch.
Notes
- Storage (Refrigeration): These bars will keep in the fridge up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container or tightly wrapped.
- Storage (Freezing): Freeze cooled bars uncovered on a baking sheet until solid, then wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil; stored this way, they last up to 3 months.
Keywords: Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake Bars, Apple Cheesecake, Cinnamon Dessert Bars, Graham Cracker Crust, Caramel Cheesecake