Name: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: PT-489266H37M52S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 180 g digestive biscuits; 70 g unsalted butter, melted; 320 g full-fat cream cheese, room temperature; 120 g granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 300 g Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped to medium cubes; 20 g granulated sugar; 1 tsp lemon zest; 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 100 g unsalted butter, chilled and cubed; 125 g plain flour; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 70 g demerara sugar; 40 g granulated sugar; 3 tbsp caramel sauce

If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall head over heels for this Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe. Imagine layers of buttery crust, creamy cheesecake, and warmly spiced apple chunks, all topped with a crumble and a glorious drizzle of caramel. It’s like fall wrapped up in a dessert bar—and trust me, once you try these bars, they’ll become your go-to treat for cozy afternoons or special celebrations. Stick around, because I’m going to walk you through every single step to help you nail this fan-freaking-tastic recipe!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Layered Flavor Explosion: The buttery crust, creamy cheesecake, spiced apples, and crumble topping work together to create the perfect bite every time.
Easy to Make: Despite looking fancy, it’s as straightforward as layering and baking—great for bakers of all levels.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether for a cozy night in or a festive gathering, these bars always wow the crowd.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these a day early, making entertaining less stressful.

A stack of three dessert bars sits on a white marbled surface, each separated by a thin square of white paper. Each bar has three layers: a bottom thick golden brown crumbly crust, a middle creamy white cheesecake layer, and a top crumbly golden layer with bits of nuts or streusel. Rich caramel sauce is generously drizzled over the top and sides of all three bars, with some caramel flowing down and pooling slightly at the base. In the background, there is a blurred glass jar filled with caramel and a spoon sticking out, next to a pair of bright green apples. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, fall dessert, apple cheesecake bars, caramel dessert bars, easy apple cheesecake recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll notice this Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe is packed with simple, quality ingredients that complement each other beautifully. Using fresh Granny Smith apples brings the perfect tartness, while the blend of sugars and spices adds warmth. Here are some tips to pick the right items for your layers.

Flat lay of a few whole digestive biscuits, a small white bowl of melted butter, a smooth block of full-fat cream cheese, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a tiny pinch of salt in a white bowl, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of peeled and chopped green granny smith apples, a small white bowl of light brown demerara sugar, a small white bowl of lemon zest, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of ground nutmeg, a few small cubes of chilled unsalted butter, a small white bowl of plain flour, and a small white bowl of glossy caramel sauce placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, fall dessert, apple cheesecake bars, caramel dessert bars, easy apple cheesecake recipe

Digestive Biscuits: These form the base crust and bring a subtle sweetness and crunch; graham crackers work as a fine substitute if you can’t find digestives.
Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you control over saltiness—in your crust and crumble, it enriches flavor and adds tenderness.
Full-Fat Cream Cheese: Room temperature is key here for smooth blending and that luscious, silky cheesecake layer.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness without overpowering other flavors; you’ll see it in both the cheesecake and apple layers.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and elevate flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla is your best friend here—brings warmth and rounds out everything beautifully.
Eggs: Room temperature helps create that creamy cheesecake texture without lumps.
Granny Smith Apples: Their tartness cuts through the richness of the cheesecake and caramel—don’t skip peeling and cubing them evenly.
Lemon Zest: Adds brightness and a fresh zing that lifts the apple layer.
Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Classic fall spices that warm the dish and marry beautifully with the apples and caramel.
Plain Flour: For binding the crumble topping; it gives just the right crumbly texture.
Demerara Sugar: This coarse sugar adds crunch and a deeper caramel flavor to the crumble.
Caramel Sauce: The luxurious finishing touch—feel free to use your favorite store-bought sauce or homemade if you’re feeling fancy.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’ve played around with this Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe quite a bit, and I encourage you to make it your own. Maybe you like it a little more spiced or prefer an extra crunchy crumble topping—both work beautifully!

Spiced Up: I once added a dash of ground cloves and allspice to the apple mixture, and my family went crazy for the extra warmth—perfect for a holiday vibe.
Nutty Twist: Tossing some chopped pecans into the crumble topping gives a lovely crunch and nutty flavor.
Dairy-Free Alternative: For friends with dietary restrictions, swapping cream cheese for a vegan version and using coconut oil instead of butter works surprisingly well.
Fruit Swap: Pears or even quince make a nice change if you want to mix up the fruit layer but keep the same cozy feel.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 160°C (fan). Lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan and line it with baking paper, making sure to leave plenty of overhang on the sides—that way, removing the bars is a breeze later. Crush your digestive biscuits until they’re fine crumbs, then mix with melted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the base of the pan. I always use the back of a spoon or a measuring cup to get a compact, even crust. Pop it into the fridge while you work on your filling.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Cheesecake Layer

In a mixing bowl, beat the full-fat cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, then mix again. Crack in the eggs one at a time, blending just until combined—over mixing can add air and cause cracks later, so take it easy. Pour this luscious cheesecake mixture evenly over your chilled crust and spread gently with a spatula.

Step 3: Make the Spiced Apple Layer

Peel, core, and chop your Granny Smith apples into medium cubes. Toss them with granulated sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg—this step brings out their vibrant flavor and sweet-tart balance. Spread the apples evenly over the cheesecake layer. I’ve found that chopping to medium-sized pieces helps keep a nice texture without apples sinking too much.

Step 4: Mix and Spread the Crumble Topping

For the crumble, mix plain flour, both sugars, and cinnamon in a bowl. Then, add chilled, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to rub it in until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumble generously over the apple layer, making sure it’s nice and even so every bite gets some crunch.

Step 5: Bake and Finish with Caramel

Bake in your preheated oven for about 50 minutes, until the cheesecake layer is just set and the crumble topping is golden brown. Don’t worry if the apples bubble a bit — that’s exactly what you want! Once cooled to room temperature, drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the top. You can warm the caramel slightly to make drizzling easier. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (I usually let it chill overnight) before slicing into 9 bars.

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Pro Tips for Making Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Keep Ingredients at Room Temperature: This makes mixing smoother and prevents lumps, especially in the cheesecake layer.
Use Chilled Butter for Crumble: Cold butter helps create that irresistible, crumbly texture that contrasts perfectly with the creamy layers.
Don’t Overmix Cheesecake Batter: Mix just until combined to avoid air bubbles that cause cracks.
Line Your Pan with Overhang: This simple trick ensures you can lift the whole slab out without fuss, making slicing cleaner and easier.

How to Serve Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe

A square piece of layered dessert sits on a white plate, showing four visible layers: at the bottom is a golden brown crumbly crust, above it a thick white creamy layer, followed by a lighter brown layer with a textured look, and topped with a golden crumbly streusel layer. The top is drizzled with smooth caramel sauce that drips slightly on the plate. In the background, a jar filled with caramel and a spoon inside is visible, along with more pieces of the same dessert. A green apple sits to the left, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, fall dessert, apple cheesecake bars, caramel dessert bars, easy apple cheesecake recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple by drizzling extra caramel sauce right before serving for that sticky-sweet finish everyone loves. Sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top also balances the sweetness beautifully. If you want to get fancy, fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream never fails to impress.

Side Dishes

These bars are a dessert star on their own, but I’ve served them alongside lightly spiced chai or a cup of freshly brewed coffee for a perfect autumn afternoon treat. For a holiday spread, pairing them with a cinnamon apple cider complements the apple flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to cut these bars into smaller bite-sized portions and arrange them on a rustic wooden board with dollops of caramel and mini cinnamon sticks. It turns dessert into an irresistibly inviting display that’s as pretty as it is delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers aren’t disappointment—they’re a treat! Just make sure to use airtight containers to keep that crumble topping from getting soggy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bars wrapped well in plastic wrap and then foil, and they thaw beautifully! When you want to enjoy, just leave them in the fridge overnight to defrost, and you’ll barely notice they were frozen. It’s a lifesaver when you want dessert ready for unexpected company or just a sweet snack on hand.

Reheating

If you prefer them warm, a quick zap in the microwave for 15-20 seconds works wonders. You’ll get that melty, comforting vibe without making the crumble soggy. Just be careful not to overheat, or you’ll lose that lovely texture contrast.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples in this recipe?

Absolutely! Granny Smith apples are traditional for their tartness and firmness, which help them hold shape during baking. However, you can swap in Honeycrisp or Fuji apples if you prefer something sweeter. Just note that sweeter apples might make the filling a bit less tangy, so you could slightly reduce the added sugar.
Do I need to peel the apples?

Peeling the apples gives you a smoother texture and keeps the bars from feeling gritty. I’ve tried leaving the skins on, and while it’s not a deal-breaker, peeling definitely improves the overall mouthfeel and makes the bars taste more elegant.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that’s suitable for baking. Keep in mind that texture might vary slightly, especially in the crumble, but they’ll still taste delicious.
How long do these bars keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these bars stay fresh for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is your best bet—just follow the freezing instructions above for best results.
Can I make the caramel sauce from scratch?

Definitely! Homemade caramel sauce adds a rich, buttery depth that’s hard to beat. If you want to make it yourself, heat sugar over medium heat until it caramelizes, then carefully add cream and butter. Just be cautious with the hot sugar—it can be tricky if you haven’t made caramel sauce before.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how comforting and impressive these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars turn out, especially when I’m craving something sweet but a little special. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how a few well-chosen ingredients could come together so effortlessly to create layers of flavor and texture. My family goes crazy for this dessert, and it’s saved me countless times when I needed a showstopper that’s fuss-free. I promise, once you give this recipe a go, you’ll be reaching for it again and again—and maybe even sharing it with friends like I do!