Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
 
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars start with a shortbread nut crust, then creamy cheesecake is swirled with seasoned apples and drizzled with a delicious caramel sauce!  If you like cheesecake and apple pie then you’re going to love these Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars!  This recipe is a combination of the love my son has for cheesecake and the love my husband has for apple pie.  I decided to put the two together and make one scrumptious dessert.  For the crust I made a shortbread and added in some walnuts to add a little more depth to it.  Then you have your traditional cheesecake layer which is topped with apples and a little bit of reserved crust.  I made my favorite easy caramel sauce and drizzled it on top to make the perfect dessert!
 
 
Ingredients are as follows:
 
crust:
1/3 C butter, softened
1/3 C brown sugar
1 C flour
1/3 C ground walnuts
 
filling: 
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 C sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
 
caramel:
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C butter
1 Tbsp. pancake syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. baking soda
 
 
Directions: 
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with aluminum foil; spray with non-stick cooking spray.  
 
 
Cream the butter and brown sugar together.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Mix in the flour and walnuts.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars 
 
Reserve 1/2 C and press the remaining into the bottom of the prepared pan.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Bake for 5-8 minutes; until slightly brown.  Set aside to cool.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
 Cream the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Mix in the eggs, one at a time.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Pour into the parbaked crust. 
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Spoon the apple pie filling on top.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 C crust on top.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Bake for 55 – 60 minutes; the center should slightly wiggle.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
Allow to cool completely.  While it’s cooling mix the brown sugar, butter, syrup, salt and vanilla together; boil for three minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda.  Place back on the stove for another minute to thicken up.  Allow to cool for a few minutes.
 
 
Remove the dessert from the pan and drizzle the caramel sauce on top.
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars
 
 Slice, serve and enjoy!
 
caramel apple cheesecake bars