🍏 Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars (Easy Homemade Recipe) 🤎

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate autumn-inspired dessert: rich, creamy cheesecake layered over a buttery graham crust, topped with cinnamon-kissed apples and drizzled in luscious caramel. 🤎 Whether you’re hosting a cozy get-together, preparing for the holidays, or just craving a bakery-style treat at home, this easy homemade recipe is guaranteed to steal the show.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions, pro tips, nutritional facts, and storage methods, all while optimizing for the best SEO practices. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, you’ll be able to make these indulgent cheesecake bars with confidence.

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✅ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy & Homemade: No fancy tools or skills required.

• Perfect for Fall: Uses seasonal apples and warm spices.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: Tastes even better after chilling overnight.

• Crowd Favorite: Great for potlucks, holidays, and events.

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🍰 What Are Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars?

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a layered dessert bar consisting of three main layers:

1. A buttery graham cracker crust

2. A creamy vanilla cheesecake layer

3. A spiced apple topping with a gooey caramel drizzle

They combine the tangy richness of cheesecake with the sweet and tart bite of baked apples, all brought together with a caramel finish. Think of it as a portable slice of caramel apple pie meets cheesecake—pure bliss!

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

For the Cheesecake Layer:

• 16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• ¼ cup sour cream (for extra creaminess)

For the Apple Topping:

• 2 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced

• 2 tbsp light brown sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tsp lemon juice

For the Crumb Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ⅓ cup light brown sugar

• ¼ cup cold butter, cubed

• Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Drizzle:

• ⅓ cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce

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🧁 How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.

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Step 2: Make the Graham Crust

1. In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar.

2. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan.

3. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then set aside to cool.

Pro Tip: Use the bottom of a glass to press the crust down evenly.

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Step 3: Prepare the Cheesecake Filling

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth (about 2 minutes).

2. Add sugar and mix until combined.

3. Mix in eggs, one at a time.

4. Add vanilla extract and sour cream. Beat until creamy and lump-free.

5. Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.

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Step 4: Apple Cinnamon Topping

1. In a small bowl, toss diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.

2. Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.

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Step 5: Crumb Topping

1. Combine flour, brown sugar, and salt.

2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until you get coarse crumbs.

3. Sprinkle over the apples.

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Step 6: Bake to Perfection

• Bake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are lightly golden.

• Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature.

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Step 7: Chill & Drizzle

• Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

• Once chilled, cut into bars and drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.

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🧠 Pro Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance—they won’t make the dessert too sweet.

• Room temp ingredients mix better and give a smoother cheesecake.

• Chill completely before slicing for clean edges.

• Use a hot knife for perfect cuts: dip the knife in hot water and wipe it clean between each slice.

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overmixing the cheesecake batter: This can lead to cracks.

• Skipping the parchment overhang: Makes removing bars difficult.

• Not chilling long enough: Bars will fall apart if not fully set.

• Using warm apples: Always let the topping cool slightly before layering.

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🍎 Nutritional Information (Per Bar)

Values are approximate and based on 12 bars per recipe.

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🔁 Tips & Variations

✅ Tips

• Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

• Use a food processor to pulse graham crackers for a finer crust.

🍏 Variations

• Salted Caramel: Add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel drizzle.

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free graham crackers and flour alternatives.

• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans to the crumb topping for extra texture.

• Spiced Kick: Add ⅛ tsp ground cloves for deeper fall flavor.

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🧊 Storage & Reheating

🧁 Storage:

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Freezer: Freeze individual bars (wrapped in plastic and foil) for up to 2 months.

🔥 Reheating:

• These bars are best served cold, but if desired, warm them gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Add caramel just before serving.

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❓ FAQs About Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Q1: Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These cheesecake bars are even better the next day after chilling.

Q2: What apples are best for this recipe?

Granny Smith is ideal due to its tartness, but Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji work too.

Q3: Can I use store-bought caramel?

Yes! For convenience, store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly. Just warm it slightly before drizzling.

Q4: How do I prevent cracks in my cheesecake layer?

Avoid overmixing and do not open the oven door during baking. Also, make sure the cheesecake layer isn’t overbaked.

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📌 Final Thoughts & Call to Action

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a cozy, crave-worthy dessert you’ll want to make all season long. Easy to prep, beautifully layered, and bursting with warm apple-cinnamon flavor—this is the homemade treat your fall dessert table has been missing.

If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest, share it on Facebook, or email it to a friend who needs a little autumn sweetness in their life. 🍁🍏