Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

FOR THE CRUST:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup flour

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

FOR THE CHEESECAKE:

1/4 cup sugar

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR THE APPLES:

2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into bite sized pieces

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

FOR THE CARAMEL SAUCE:

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon coarse salt

FOR THE CRUST:

Cut the butter into the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon until combined and crumbly.  Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8x8 inch baking dish lined with foil.  Bake in a preheated 350F oven until lightly golden brown, about 8-12 minutes, set aside and let cool.

FOR THE CHEESECAKE:

Beat the sugar into the cream cheese until smooth.  Beat in the egg followed by the vanilla extract.  Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

FOR THE APPLES:

Mix the apples, cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.  Sprinkle the apples on top of the cream cheese layer.

FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING:

Cut the butter into the flour, sugar, cinnamon and rolled oats until combined and crumbly.      Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the apples.  Bake in a preheated 350F oven until the cheesecake has set, about 25-35 minutes, and let cool.

FOR THE CARAMEL SAUCE:

Heat the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat and simmer it until it turns a medium amber color.  Remove from heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream.  Return to heat and cook until smooth, stirring with a wooden spoon.  Stir in the butter.  Allow the sauce to cool for a few minutes and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.  Let cool and serve over the apple cheesecake bars.