Caramel apple cheesecake bars combine the best of so many worlds. They start with a gently-spiced cookie crust bursting with the flavors of apple pie. Layer onto that a rich, creamy cheesecake, then top it all off with a nutty, crunchy crumble and drizzle with smooth caramel sauce. The result is a symphony of sweetness that’s right at home in a fall gathering, but looks and tastes amazing any time of year.
Betty knows—and you might agree—that what takes a recipe from good to great is simplicity. These easy caramel apple cheesecake bars are no different. Just 15 minutes of prep is all it takes to put them together, but your guests don’t have to know that. They’ll be blown away by the way the smooth cheesecake and the crunchy crumble combines with the gooey goodness of the caramel sauce to make every bite an experience. Put together a batch for your next get-together or turn any weeknight dinner into an event.
To build this caramel apple cheesecake bars recipe you’ll be stacking flavors on top of flavors. Betty Crocker™ Limited Edition Caramel Apple Cookie Mix lets you take a delicious shortcut. You can toss the cookie mix, apple pie spice, and butter with your fingers. The texture should look like coarse crumbs. Keep about a cup of this mixture aside for later, then press it into a parchment-lined 8-inch baking pan.
While the crust is baking, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, flour, and lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, stir together the cup of dough, pecans, and oats to make a crispy, crumbly topping. Pour on the cheesecake, sprinkle the crumble over the top, and bake until set, about 25 to 30 minutes. Now it’s time for the finishing touch: Slice the caramel apple cheesecake into bars, and drizzle generously with caramel sauce. Now your family’s new favorite dessert bars are ready to eat!
Of course, you can customize your caramel apple cheesecake bars to suit your family’s tastes as you like. If you want to cut back on the sweetness, you can skip the caramel drizzle, and simply make apple cheesecake bars. Baking outside of the fall season? You can replace the cookie mix with your preferred Betty Crocker cookie mix flavor.
Your choice of cream cheese is another opportunity for experimentation and customization. Varying the fat content of the cream cheese gives you control over the texture and the richness of the finished product. A lighter cream cheese will give you a more delicate cheesecake layer, and the opposite will add a decadent richness. Try a few options and make this caramel apple cheesecake bars recipe your own!
In the fridge, your caramel apple cheesecake bars will stay fresh for up to 5 days, and in the freezer, can last up to 3 months when placed in an airtight container.
If you anticipate having leftovers, Betty recommends setting the caramel aside and freezing or refrigerating bars without the drizzle to make them last longer. Refrigerated bars can be eaten straight from the fridge, and frozen bars just need to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then you can pour on the caramel sauce, and they’ll taste just as delicious as the day you baked them.
