Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

The streusel topping that comes with this recipe for apple cream cheese bars is absolutely irresistible. If you can’t resist a “taste test” before a party, just arrange each apple bar on a serving platter and no one will know a piece is missing from the pan! —Katherine White, Henderson, Nevada Recipe Type: Desserts Total Time: PT55M

Prep time:
Cook time:
Serving size: 3
Calories per serving: 1,523
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 medium tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
STREUSEL:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
1/3 cup hot caramel ice cream topping


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a well-greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Spread over crust.

In a small bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining sugar; spoon over cream cheese layer. In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and oats; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple layer.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping; cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.

Source: tasteofhome.com