Cozy Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Sweet Fall Delight

Creamy cheesecake meets classic apple crisp in these irresistible apple crisp cheesecake bars that blend two beloved desserts into one mouthwatering treat.

Layers of silky cream cheese sit atop a buttery graham cracker crust, crowned with cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a crispy oat streusel topping.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and warm autumn flavors that dance across your palate.

The rich cheesecake provides a luxurious base for tender caramelized apples nestled in a crunchy oat crumble.

Warm spices infuse every layer with cozy comfort, making these bars a showstopper at any gathering.

Simple to prepare and impossible to resist, these bars promise to become your new seasonal dessert obsession.

Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars Ingredient List

• Butter: Delivers rich, velvety foundation with luxurious mouthfeel, choose high-quality unsalted butter for pure flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture, select dark brown sugar for intense complexity.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Infuses warm aromatic essence, opt for pure paste with visible vanilla specks.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender, crumbly texture, use fresh, sifted flour for smoothest consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy base, select full-fat room temperature cream cheese for silkiest texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes cheesecake mixture.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes nuanced caramel undertones.
• Eggs: Bind and structure cheesecake layer, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: Deepens aromatic complexity.
• Whiskey (Optional): Introduces subtle woody warmth and depth.

• Apples: Bring fresh, bright tartness, choose firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances natural apple sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Delivers warm, comforting spice.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle earthy complexity.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates crispy streusel texture.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces caramelized richness.
• Oats: Provides delightful crunch and rustic character.
• Cold Butter: Ensures flaky, crumbly topping texture.

Tools for Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars

• Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating cream cheese, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Perfect for creating even, beautifully layered bars.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Food processor: Quickly pulses dry ingredients and butter for crisp topping.
• Sharp knife: Helps slice bars into clean, precise squares.
• Mixing bowls: Necessary for preparing different recipe components.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Step-by-Step: Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars

Apple Harvest Dream Bars

• The Foundation

Create a buttery base using brown sugar and flour, pressing it smoothly into a baking pan. Bake until golden and fragrant, setting the stage for delicious layers ahead.

• Apple Magic

Gently mix fresh apples with warm spices, coating each piece with sweet and aromatic seasonings that promise a cozy flavor explosion.

• Creamy Cloud Layer

Blend cream cheese with sugars until silky smooth, adding eggs and vanilla to create a luxurious, velvety filling that will melt in your mouth.

• Crispy Crown

Craft a crumbly topping combining flour, oats, and butter, creating a crunchy texture that adds excitement to every single bite.

• Layered Symphony

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked crust, artfully arrange spiced apple pieces, then generously sprinkle the crispy topping across the surface.

• Baking Magic

Slide the pan into a preheated oven, allowing the layers to transform into a harmonious dessert with golden edges and a perfectly set center.

• Cooling and Celebration

Let the bars rest and cool completely, then slice into beautiful squares that showcase the gorgeous layers of this incredible dessert. Refrigerate to enhance the flavors and enjoy the delightful result of your culinary creativity.

Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars Tips and Substitutions

• Mix up apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for different flavor profiles and textures.
• Prepare the entire dessert up to two days in advance, keeping it refrigerated until serving for stress-free entertaining.
• Experiment with adding ground ginger, cardamom, or a pinch of cloves to the apple mixture for a warm, complex flavor dimension.
• Drizzle caramel sauce, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans, or add a dollop of whipped cream just before serving to elevate the presentation and taste.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend in both the shortbread crust and crisp topping to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising flavor.

Serve Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars Like This

• Cozy Autumn Afternoon Treat: Serve these delectable bars alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai tea for a perfect seasonal indulgence.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Dust the bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar and garnish with a small mint leaf for an elevated presentation that impresses guests.
• Family Gathering Crowd-Pleaser: Cut into smaller bite-sized pieces for potlucks, holiday parties, or casual family gatherings where people love to sample multiple desserts.
• Ice Cream Companion: Top a warm apple crisp cheesecake bar with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra decadent and contrasting temperature experience.

How to Store Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep these delectable bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cold temperatures help maintain the creamy cheesecake texture and prevent bacterial growth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert 1-2 days before serving. The flavors will meld beautifully, creating an even more delicious treat for family and friends.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These bars can be frozen for 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Slice and Serve Strategy: For clean, precise cuts, use a sharp knife wiped with a warm, damp cloth between each slice. This technique ensures beautiful, picture-perfect bars that look as amazing as they taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 13

Rustic Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Creamy cheesecake meets classic apple crisp in this delightful dessert bar that combines rich cream cheese with spiced autumn apples. Crumbly oat topping and buttery graham crust make each bite a sweet celebration of seasonal comfort.

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Ingredients

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• 3 Granny Smith apples
• 16 oz (454 g) cream cheese
• 8 oz (227 g) unsalted butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1.25 cups light brown sugar
• 0.25 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 0.5 cups rolled oats
• 0.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 oz (85 g) cold unsalted butter
• 0.75 tsp cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp whiskey (optional)

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Instructions

1. Foundation Creation: Whip butter and brown sugar into a light, fluffy mixture, infusing with vanilla for enhanced flavor profile.
2. Crust Preparation: Press shortbread mixture evenly into prepared baking pan, creating a uniform base with golden-edged texture when baked.
3. Topping Assembly: Pulse flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon together, incorporating cold butter until mixture resembles coarse pebbles, then fold in rolled oats and chill quickly.
4. Cheesecake Mixture: Blend cream cheese and sugars until completely smooth, gently introducing eggs one at a time, finishing with vanilla and optional whiskey for depth.
5. Apple Layer: Toss diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with warm spices.
6. Layering and Baking: Pour cheesecake mixture over pre-baked shortbread crust, arrange spiced apple pieces across the surface, and generously distribute chilled crisp topping.
7. Finishing Process: Bake until surface turns golden and cheesecake sets with a delicate jiggle, then cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to set and intensify flavors.
8. Serving Preparation: Extract from pan using parchment edges, slice into precise squares with a sharp knife, and store in a sealed container for optimal freshness.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smooth, creamy shortbread that blends effortlessly without lumps.
• Chill Topping Technique: Freezing the crisp topping before sprinkling helps maintain a crumbly texture and prevents sinking during baking.
• Apple Selection Strategy: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape and provide balanced flavor contrast.
• Precision Cutting Tip: Wait until bars are completely cooled and chilled for clean, sharp-edged squares that showcase beautiful layered texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg