Name: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Yield: 15
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup brown sugar; 2 cups flour; 24 oz cream cheese, softened; ¾ cup sugar; 3 eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla; 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled & finely diced; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon nutmeg; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 cup flour; ½ cup quick oats; Caramel sauce for drizzling

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Fall dessert cravings? These caramel apple cheesecake bars are a cozy mashup of creamy cheesecake, tart & sweet spiced apples, and a buttery oat streusel drizzled with caramel. Everything you love about the autumn season. Easy enough for beginners and impressive enough to earn a spot on your Thanksgiving desserts table, for fall potucks, or as a contribution to a Fall bake sale.

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Decadent Apple Cheescake Bars With Caramel Drizzle

Close-up of a caramel apple cheesecake bar on a dark metal plate, topped with golden oat crumble and drizzled with caramel sauce. Beside it are thin slices of green apple and a piece of the dessert on a fork, revealing the creamy cheesecake layer and baked crust.

The Fall season and smell of apples, reminds me of visiting my Grandparents orchard as a child, which I write about here. Picking apples off the ground, so we can take them home and help my mom peel hundreds of them for apple pies, apple sauce and our other favorite fall apple desserts.

I still remember the large green tupperware bowl we used to throw the apples in.

Which is why I love trying new and interesting apple recipes. And being from Canada, we have such a great variety of apples to choose from.

Inspired by everything I love about fall baking, this caramel apple cheesecake bars recipe is addictive, and easy to make ahead. It combines a few of my favorite things – apple crisp topping, and creamy cheescake bottom. When you drizzle the caramel on top it’s suddenly a decadent dessert, without much extra effort.

While it seems like a lot of work, each layer is super simple and quick to make, and well worth it.

Close-up of creamy cheesecake bars topped with apples, a golden oat crumble and caramel drizzle, a tasty option for yummy apple desserts.

⭐️ Also check out our other favorite fall desserts, like our yummy pumpkin pecan cheesecake and these pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing or more autumn baking ideas, like our favorite apple cake recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crisp Cheesecake

Simple ingredients, easy steps: No complicated tools or water baths. Just mix, layer, and bake.

Creamy, crunchy, spiced layers: Buttery crust, tangy cheesecake, tender apples, and oat streusel drizzled in caramel in every bite.

Perfect for prepping ahead: Chill overnight for clean slices and even better flavor.

Feeds a crowd: Great for holidays, Thanksgiving, potlucks, or casual weekend treats.

Fall dessert favorite: The cozy flavors of apple crisp and cheesecake all in one bite.

Close-up of three rich apple cheesecake bars stacked on a dark plate, topped with a buttery oat crumble and caramel drizzle. The dessert sits next to two fresh green apples.

Apple Cheesecake Bar Ingredients

Overhead view of labeled ingredients for apple cheesecake bars, including butter, flour, cream cheese, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, green apples, vanilla extract, caramel sauce, eggs, and quick oats, all arranged neatly on a white marble surface.

Crust

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
2 cups flour

Cheesecake Filling

24 oz cream cheese, softened
¾ cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

Spiced Apples

3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled & finely diced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

Streusel Topping

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
½ cup quick oats

To Serve

Caramel sauce for drizzling

Equipment You’ll Need

13×9-inch baking dish
Parchment paper
Stand mixer or hand mixer
Large mixing bowls (at least 2–3)
Measuring cups and spoons
Spatula or mixing spoon
Peeler (for peeling apples)
Knife and cutting board (for dicing apples)
Cooling rack (optional, but helpful).

⭐️ Also try these fun pumpkin treats, perfect for Thanksgiving, Fall parties or a random Tuesday when you have a pumpkin spice craving.

A close-up of a thick dessert bar with a creamy cheesecake layer, apple chunks, and a golden oat crumble topping. The bars are arranged on parchment paper in a metal pan, with a glossy caramel-like finish.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

1. Preheat oven & Prepare baking dish

Preheat you oven to 350°F and line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Make the crust

Overhead view of a metal mixing bowl filled with two sticks of butter, a pile of flour, and packed brown sugar, ready to be mixed for a crust base.

A mixing bowl filled with a crumbly, pale golden dough mixture, freshly combined and ready to be pressed into a crust. The texture appears coarse but cohesive, sitting against a clean marble countertop backdrop.

A rectangular glass baking dish lined with parchment paper, filled with an evenly pressed, pale golden crust dough, ready for baking. The dough has a slightly crumbly texture with visible buttery patches throughout.

In a stand mixer, mix the flour, brown sugar, and softened butter until crumbly. Press into the dish and bake for 14–16 minutes, until lightly golden. Let it cool completely.

3. Make the Filling

A mixing bowl filled with whipped cream cheese and a mound of granulated white sugar in the center, ready to be blended into a creamy cheesecake filling, all set on a mrable countertop.

A mixing bowl with creamy cheesecake filling ingredients, including smooth whipped cream cheese, four raw eggs, and a splash of vanilla extract, ready to be blended together. The mixture is set against a light marble surface.

mixing bowl filled with smooth, pale yellow cheesecake batter freshly whipped and ready to be poured over the crust layer for caramel apple cheesecake bars. The filling has a creamy, velvety texture and sits against a white marble countertop.

Whip the cream cheese in a stand mixer until smooth (about 1 minute), then add in the sugar and mix. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl a few times to get all the ingredients mixed in properly.

Add in the eggs and vanilla, and beat until fully combined, continuing to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.

A baked golden-brown crust in a parchment-lined glass baking dish, slightly puffed and firmed, forming the base layer for apple cheesecake bars.

A glass baking dish lined with parchment paper, filled with a smooth layer of pale cheesecake batter poured evenly over a baked crust. The filling is glossy and level, ready to be topped with apples.

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the baked & cooled crust. Set aside.

4. Prepare the apples

A glass mixing bowl filled with diced green apples, topped with granulated sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon, ready to be mixed for a fall-inspired cheesecake bar topping.

A glass bowl filled with evenly coated apple chunks tossed in cinnamon and sugar. The apples have a soft golden color, prepped and ready to be used as a spiced topping for a fall apple cheesecake dessert.

A parchment-lined glass baking dish filled with creamy cheesecake batter topped with an even layer of cinnamon-sugar coated apple chunks.

Peel and dice the apples into small cubes. In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Scatter the apple mixture evenly over cheesecake filling. Set Aside.

5. Make the Struesel Topping & Bake

A metal mixing bowl filled with ingredients for a streusel topping, including a stick of butter, brown sugar, rolled oats, and flour. The ingredients are unmixed and neatly arranged, ready to be combined for a crumbly apple cheesecake bar topping.

A metal mixing bowl filled with a crumbly oat mixture, freshly combined for a streusel topping. The texture is chunky with visible oats and bits of blended butter, ready to be sprinkled over the fall dessert bars.

A glass baking dish lined with parchment paper, filled with layered apple cheesecake bars topped with a generous, crumbly oat streusel. The topping is evenly spread and ready for baking, giving the dessert a rustic, golden texture.

Either by hand, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and oats until well mixed and with a crumbly texture. Sprinkle the topping over the apples.

Bake your apple cheesecake bars in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until filling is just set with still a slight jiggle.

QUICK VIEW OF LAYERING THE CHEESECAKE BARS

A large sheet of freshly baked apple crisp cheesecake bars, topped with a golden oat streusel and generously drizzled with caramel sauce. The bars rest on a sheet of parchment paper. — Step 5: Caramel Drizzle

Six square slices of apple cheesecake bars topped with golden oat streusel and a light drizzle of caramel sauce, arranged on crinkled parchment paper. The bars have a gooey, layered texture with visible apple chunks and a creamy cheesecake base. — Step 6: Sliced Bars After Chilled

6. Cool & Serve

Golden apple crumble cheesecake bars arranged on parchment paper in a round metal tray, showcasing their creamy layer, oat topping, and crumbly crust. A halved green apple sits nearby on a marble surface, hinting at the fresh ingredients inside.

Let your fall cheesecake bars cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 4 hours, or until fully set.

Drizzle with caramel just before serving, and cut the bars to the desired size.

Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days. It’s best to add the caramel just before serving.

Can You Freeze Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars?

Yes, you can freeze the Caramel Apple Cheescake Bars in an airtight container for up to two months. They freeze well, thanks to the cream cheese filling and firm crust.

The streusel topping may lose a little of its crisp texture after thawing, but the flavor holds up beautifully.

Here’s how to do it:

Cool the bars completely: Let the bars cool to room temperature, then chill fully in the fridge.
Slice and layer: Cut into individual bars and place parchment paper between layers.
Store in airtight container: Use a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months.

To thaw:

Place bars in the fridge overnight.
For best texture, serve chilled or let sit at room temp for about 20 minutes before eating.

Top-down view of apple cheesecake bars with a crumbly oat topping, drizzled with caramel sauce and served on dark metal plates. One bar is paired with fresh green apple slices, while another has a piece taken out with a fork beside it; a dish of caramel sauce and a halved apple complete the scene.

Tips & Variations

Individual servings: Bake in a muffin tin with liners for mini cheesecake bites – perfect for parties.

Swap out the apples: Swap Granny Smith for Honeycrisp, Pink Lady or Fuji for a sweeter apple twist.

Add a pinch of salt: To enhance the streusel topping, add a pinch or two of salt.

Go Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour and oats for a GF version. I like using gluten-free oat flour.

Add nuts: Try adding chopped pecans to the topping for extra crunch

Shortcut crust: You can also use crushed graham crackers, butter & sugar as another quick crust alternative. Either baked or chilled.

Completely chill the bars: Don’t skip the chill time, as it helps set the the bars so you can slice them cleanly.

Final Thoughts

These apple pie cheesecake bars are my go-to when I want something cozy but a little extra special.

They hit that sweet spot between creamy and crunchy, making them one of my favorite fall apple desserts for both lazy weekends and holiday tables. Drizzle on the caramel and you’ve got one of the most craveable caramel apple desserts of the season.

Keep a batch in the fridge, you won’t regret it.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Yield: 15 - 18 Bars

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

These caramel apple cheesecake bars are a cozy mashup of creamy cheesecake, tart & sweet spiced apples, and a buttery oat streusel drizzled with caramel. Everything you love about the Fall season.