Monday, December 26, 2011

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

The other day I was searching for a dessert to make for our Christmas dinner at my parents house. I wanted something I could put together easily and make ahead of time. I was searching and now I am searching no more because I’ve found all that I was looking for in this delicious treat.
Let me describe each layer of this amazing dessert for you: it all starts with a chewy oatmeal cookie-like crust on the bottom, then a smooth and delicious cream cheese filling with chunks of yummy cinnamon & nutmeg apples scattered all over, then a crumbly and crunchy topping with pecans, and finally a delicious warm and salty caramel sauce drizzled all over!
Sounds pretty good, huh?
It might seem like a lot of steps, but it's actually really easy and tastes amazing!

Check out Sweet As Sugar Cookies blog for a whole list of yummy treats!!
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars 
Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:
Crust & Streusel:
1 package Oatmeal Cookie mix (I used Betty Crocker)
1/2 cup butter, cold (1 stick)
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Cheesecake Filling:
2 packages cream cheese (8 oz each), softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
Apples:
3 Gala apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp sugar
Caramel Sauce:
15-20 caramel candies, unwrapped
2 tbsp milk
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil.
  • Place cookie mix in large bowl. With a fork, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly and coarse. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over crust.  
  • In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cookie crumb topping. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
  • Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool about 30 minutes. Refrigerate to chill, about 2 hours. 
  • Add unwrapped caramel candies with milk and salt in a microwaveable bowl. Cook on high, 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir occasionally until caramel is melted and smooth
  • Cut into bars and serve each with drizzled caramel sauce.  

10 comments:

  1. Wow, all of your recipes looks amazingly delicious! I wish I had one of these cheesecake bars now! :)
    Thanks for visiting me over at my cozy kitchen! I'll be back here to see what other yummies you have baking.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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  2. Talk about decadent! The flavor combination here must be out of this world delicious. I'm so bookmarking this to try soon. Thanks for sharing.

    Happy New Year!

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  3. Thank you for the kind words Leslie! I enjoyed your kitchen and all of your recipes as well! Happy New Year!!

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  4. Tia - Please let me know what you think...I promise you will not be disappointed. Thanks for stopping by! Happy New Year!

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  5. I'm going to make this for a New Year's party! Looks delish!!! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  6. My gosh, those look incredible. All that caramel, yum! I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog till Monday night and I'd love it if you'd come by and link your bars up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/12/sweets-for-saturday-50.html

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  7. I found this picture on Pinterest and that is how I ended up at your blog. I may regret it!!! The dessert looks delish! Will figure out how many WW points it is and I'll report back! I bet it isn't as much as you'd think if you didn't eat the entire recipe.

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  8. Please do...I am curious to know how many I am allowed to eat! :)

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  9. Mmmmm. I'm wondering if I omit the salt IN the caramel and sprinkle some kosher salt on top, if that would be enough???? Hmmm

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