Looking for a cozy fall dessert recipe that combines all the best flavors of the season?
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect sweet treat!
With a buttery crust, creamy cheesecake filling, warm cinnamon-spiced apples, and a crumbly streusel topping—all drizzled with gooey caramel—this dessert is like apple pie and cheesecake had the most delicious baby.
It’s one of our top picks for quick apple desserts to bring to fall parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, or just to serve at home with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
This easy layered bar dessert is made with simple pantry staples and fresh Granny Smith apples. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 24 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon-Spiced Apples:
- 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely diced
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup quick oats
To Finish:
- Caramel sauce, for drizzling
How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Step 1: Make the Crust
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper. In a stand mixer, combine flour, brown sugar, and softened butter until crumbly.
Press into the bottom of the baking dish and bake for 14–16 minutes, until just starting to brown.
Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Layer
In a clean bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, then beat in eggs and vanilla until fully combined.
Pour this mixture over the baked crust.
Step 3: Add the Apples
In a bowl, toss the diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Sprinkle the seasoned apples evenly over the cheesecake layer.
Step 4: Add the Streusel
Mix the butter, brown sugar, flour, and oats until crumbly.
Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the apples.
Step 5: Bake and Chill
Bake at 350°F for 40–45 minutes, until the filling is just set and slightly jiggly.
Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 4–6 hours to fully set.
Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
Quick Recipe Info:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 60–70 minutes
- Chill Time: 5–6 hours
- Servings: 15–18 bars
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cheesecake Bars
- An easy way to use up apples from fall picking
- They combine two dessert favorites: cheesecake + apple crisp
- Great for fall dessert tables or your holiday snack station
- Can be made ahead—perfect for entertaining!
- Just as good (or better!) the next day
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Want a shortcut? Use a graham cracker crust instead of homemade
- Try adding crushed pecans or walnuts to the streusel for crunch
- Swap out apples for pears or peaches for a twist
- Use store-bought caramel sauce or make your own!
Perfect For:
- Thanksgiving dessert tables
- Bake sales & potlucks
- After-dinner treats
- A cozy night in with a fall latte
- Anyone craving the best apple desserts of the season
📸 Share Your Apple Treats!
We’d love to see how your Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars turn out! Tag #BiteSizedFun on Instagram or Pinterest so we can share your sweet creations.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love:
- Coming soon!
These cheesecake bars are everything you love about fall desserts: warm, cozy, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying. Whether you’re baking for a party or just for your family, these apple cheesecake bars will disappear fast!
One More Thing!
This recipe is part of our collection of easy dessert recipes. Check it out!
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 c unsalted butter softened
- ½ c brown sugar
- 2 c flour
For the filling
- 24 oz cream cheese softened
- ¾ c sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 t vanilla
For the apples
- 2 T sugar
- 1 t cinnamon
- ½ t nutmeg
- 3 c Granny Smith apples – peeled and finely diced
For the topping
- ½ c unsalted butter softened
- 1 c brown sugar
- 1 c flour
- ½ c quick oats
- Caramel sauce to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment and set aside.
- For the crust – in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, brown sugar and softened butter. Mix until combined and crumbly.
- Press the crust into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 14-16 minutes or until just beginning to brown.
- Meanwhile, make the cheesecake filling.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth – about a minute.
- Add in the sugar and cream until combined, scraping the sides often.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla. Mix until thoroughly combined, scraping the sides as needed.
- Pour the cheesecake filling over the cooked crust and set aside.
- For the apples – in a large bowl, combine the diced apples with the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss to combine.
- Sprinkle the seasoned apples over the cheesecake filling. Set aside.
- For the streusel topping – in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour and oats. Mix until combined and crumbly.
- Sprinkle the topping over the cheesecake filling and apples.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the filling is set and just a little jiggly.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Refrigerate for about 4 hours to set completely.
- Drizzle with caramel sauce to serve.
