Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares

Layers of cheesecake, apple, streusel, and caramel come together to create one decadently delicious treat in these super tasty Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares. Think apple crisp baked atop cheesecake, drizzled with caramel. -- And then think absolutely delicious!

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When you think Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares, think apple crisp drizzled with caramel, served over cheesecake atop a brown sugar crust. -- And oh, those are such beautiful thoughts.

Truth be told, I'm generally not a fan of apples and caramel together. Apple desserts? -- Love them.  Caramel? -- Adore it. Together? -- Not so much.  And those ooey-gooey, oh-so-sticky caramel apples on a stick that almost pull your teeth out? -- Detest them.

But when you combine apples and caramel with cheesecake and a apple crisp-like streusel topping like in these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares, then it's a completely different story. I mean, when you're basically baking apple crisp on top of cheesecake and drizzling it with caramel, what's not to love?

Layers of cheesecake, apple, streusel, and caramel come together to create one decadently delicious treat.

 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares are definitely a caramel and apple combination I can get behind. In fact, they deliver up creamy deliciousness that places them squarely in the category of "my favorite desserts." --  They're truly one of those dessert recipes that just amazes you with how delicious it is.

Originally a Paula Deen recipe, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares are decadently delicious. I did tweak the recipe a bit to reduce the amount of butter in the crust and the streusel topping. -- And truth be told, I think it could be reduced even more if you would like. After all, we all know how Paula Deen loves her butter!

What's to Love About This Recipe:

When it comes to Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares, I think the more appropriate question is "What's NOT to love about this recipe?" Because seriously, these things are just so good.  But in response to the actual question, here are some things about them to totally love:

• Incredible flavor - The flavor of the squares' cheesecake, cinnamon-laced apples, and apple crisp-like streusel topping is simply incredible together. It's one of those desserts that just amazes you with how delicious it is.
• Creamy comfort - Cheesecake and caramel drizzle make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares one creamy comfort food dessert, for sure.
• Beautifully complimentary layers - The dessert's five layers fuse together fabulously, beautifully complimenting one another as they create one very tasty result.
• Amazing fall dessert choice - Highlighting one of fall's favorite baking ingredients, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares is a perfect dessert choice for any fall event.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares Ingredients:

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares are comprised of 5 layers. Ingredients needed for each layer are:

• Crust layer - All-purpose flour, brown sugar, and unsalted butter.

• Cheesecake layer - Cream cheese, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Choose regular cream cheese, rather than lower fat, for the best texture and result.

• Apple layer - Granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and apples. Tart apples, such as Granny Smith and Rome, create the best flavor when combined with the squares' other sweet layers. We typically use Granny Smith apples.

• Streusel layer - Unsalted butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and quick-cooking oats. Be sure to use quick-cooking oats, rather than the larger old-fashioned oats, for the best texture.

• Caramel layer - Jarred caramel ice cream topping.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares:

These little beauties are built in layers -- 5 layers, to be exact, starting with a brown sugar-based crust.

To get a pan going, start by lining a 9x13" baking pan with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with non-stick cooking spray. Then combine some flour, brown sugar, and butter until the mixture is crumbly. Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Pop the crust in the oven and bake it for about 15 minutes.

Then beat together a quick cheesecake mixture with cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Pour the cheesecake batter over the warm crust and spread it out evenly.

Spoon some finely-chopped apples, tossed with sugar and cinnamon, evenly over the cheesecake layer.

Then mix up the squares' streusel topping by combining brown sugar, flour, quick cooking oats, and some softened butter.

Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples, covering the entire apple layer completely.

Pop the pan back in the oven and bake until the filling is set and the topping is a nice golden brown.

Drizzle the warm baked bars with caramel ice cream topping, and then let everything cool.

Once cooled, refrigerate to chill the cheesecake squares and serve them cold.

When cooled, cut the Caramel Apple Cheesecake into squares and drizzle on a little more caramel topping if you'd like. Then dig on in to the caramel-cheesecake deliciousness!  

Oh, this is sure one caramel and apple combination even a non-caramel apple lover can get behind. And for those who do love caramel and apples together? -- Get ready for this to become your new favorite way to enjoy your beloved combination.

Check out these other tasty dessert recipes:

• Crescent Roll Apple Dumplings
• Mom's Apple Crisp
• Simple Honey-Baked Apples
• Crescent Pecan Pie Squares
• Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Pie
• Slow Cooker Apple Pudding Cake
• More dessert recipes

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Dessert

American

Yield: about 16-20 squares

Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares

Layers of cheesecake, apple, streusel, and caramel come together to create one decadently delicious treat in these super tasty Caramel Apple Cheesecake Squares. Think apple crisp baked atop cheesecake, drizzled with caramel. -- And then think absolutely delicious!

Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 30 M

Ingredients

Crust Layer:

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
• 3/4 c. (1 & 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Layer:

• 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Apple Layer:

• 3 tart apples (such as Rome or Granny Smith), peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 2 T. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Streusel Layer:

• 1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 c. quick cooking oats
• 1/3 c. butter, softened

Caramel Layer:

• 1/2 c. caramel ice cream topping

Instructions

Prepare Crust Layer:

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly.
2. Line a 9x13" baking pan with aluminum foil; spray foil with non-stick cooking spray. Press flour/brown sugar mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350℉ for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Add Cheesecake Layer:

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with the 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
2. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and then add vanilla. Stir to combine.
3. Pour over warm crust.

Add Apple Layer:

1. In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.

Add Streusel Layer & Bake:

1. In a small bowl, combine all streusel ingredients. Using your hands or a fork, mix until the ingredients come together and form small crumbs.
2. Sprinkle apples evenly with Streusel topping.
3. Bake at 350℉ for 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set and the topping is golden brown.

Add Caramel Layer:

1. Drizzle baked bars with caramel topping and let cool.
2. Chill bars and serve cold.

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