How to Make Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a rich and creamy dessert with a buttery crust, sweet apple cinnamon layer, crumbly oat topping, and a drizzle of caramel for the perfect fall treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Apple Layer
- 2 cup apples
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Topping
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp Salt
Instructions
Prepare the crust
- In a bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Mix in flour and salt until combined (the mixture will be crumbly).
- Press evenly into a greased 9x13 inch pan.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Make the cheesecake filling:
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla, and mix until creamy.
Prepare the apple layer:
- Toss diced apples with sugar and cinnamon.
Make the topping:
- In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
Assemble the bars:
- Pour cheesecake filling over the baked crust.
- Spread apples evenly on top.
- Sprinkle with oat topping.
Bake:
- Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, or until set and lightly golden on top.
- Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours before cutting.
Serve:
- Cut into bars and drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
- Apples: Tart apples (like McIntosh, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp) work best because they balance the sweetness of the cheesecake and caramel.
- Caramel Sauce: Homemade caramel gives the best flavor, but a good-quality store-bought sauce saves time.
- Chilling Time: Don’t skip the chilling step! The bars need at least 3–4 hours in the fridge to set properly before cutting.
- Cutting Neatly: Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for bakery-style squares.
- Make Ahead: These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.