Description
Make these layered dessert bars featuring a buttery crust, a creamy cheesecake filling, spiced apple topping, and a crunchy streusel.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples (like Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Cut in the 1/2 cup cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes.
- Prepare the apple layer: In a small saucepan, combine the diced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until the apples soften slightly. Set aside.
- Prepare the cheesecake layer: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the warm, pre-baked crust. Spoon the cooked apple mixture over the cheesecake layer.
- Prepare the crumble topping: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup flour, oats, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons cold butter. Use your fingers to mix until crumbly. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are set and the topping is golden brown.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before lifting the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Chill for at least 2 hours before slicing into squares.
Notes
- For a Caramel Apple variation, drizzle 1/2 cup of prepared caramel sauce over the apple layer before adding the streusel topping.
- Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor contrast.
- Do not overmix the cheesecake batter once the egg is added.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 50 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 65