Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars

Cream cheese, apple, and spiced oat layers combine for a comforting dessert bar with creamy, crunchy, and warmly spiced flavors in every bite.

This recipe quickly became a favorite in my family because of its perfect balance between sweet and spiced flavors along with a texture everyone loves.

Ingredients

• Crust: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted, 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Cheesecake Layer: 8 ounces cream cheese softened, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Apple Filling: 2 medium apples peeled, cored, and diced, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Crisp Topping: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup rolled oats, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup unsalted butter cold and cubed

Instructions

Preheat Oven:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Prepare Crust:

Mix flour, granulated sugar, melted butter, and salt in a medium bowl until crumbly. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Prepare Cheesecake Layer:

Beat softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Spread evenly over the slightly cooled crust.

Prepare Apple Filling:

Toss diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until well coated. Distribute evenly over the cheesecake layer.

Prepare Crisp Topping:

Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add cold, cubed butter and blend until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly over the apple layer.

Bake:

Bake for 35 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the center is set.

Cool and Chill:

Cool completely in the pan. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before lifting out and slicing into bars.

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Making these bars brought my family together on many cozy weekends, creating sweet memories and new traditions.

Notes

For extra crunch, add an additional handful of oats to the topping before baking. Bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.

Required Tools

8x8-inch baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, pastry blender or fork, spatula, knife for slicing

Nutritional Information

Estimated per bar: 190 calories, 10 g total fat, 24 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein

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These bars combine texture and flavor perfectly making them a go-to dessert to impress any guests.

Common recipe questions

→ What type of apples work best?

Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith provide a balanced flavor and hold their shape well during baking.

→ Can I make the bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars keep well refrigerated for up to four days and taste great when chilled before slicing.

→ How can I add extra crunch to the topping?

Adding an additional handful of rolled oats to the topping before baking enhances the crisp texture.

→ Is there a substitute for cream cheese in the layering?

For a similar texture, mascarpone or ricotta can be used, but cream cheese offers the best balance of creaminess and tang.

→ What baking tools are recommended?

An 8x8-inch pan lined with parchment paper ensures easy removal, along with mixing bowls and a pastry blender for topping preparation.