Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Sweet autumn afternoons call for decadent salted caramel apple cream cheese bars that melt in your mouth.

These dreamy bars combine rich, creamy textures with warm seasonal flavors.

Layers of buttery crust cradle soft cream cheese and tender apple chunks.

Drizzles of golden salted caramel weave through each delightful bite, creating a symphony of sweet and salty notes.

Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars capture the essence of fall’s most comforting desserts.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to bake a treat that will have everyone asking for seconds.

One bite promises pure dessert bliss that celebrates the best of autumn’s bounty.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 17

Salted Caramel Bar Ingredient Notes

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, tender base with golden flavor that melts smoothly into delicate layers.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and helps create a soft, crumbly texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Binds ingredients together and creates sturdy foundation for cheesecake bars.
• Ground Cinnamon: Introduces warm, aromatic spice that complements apple's natural sweetness.
• Ground Nutmeg: Delivers subtle, earthy warmth that enhances overall dessert complexity.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates other flavor profiles.

• Cream Cheese: Creates luxurious, smooth base with tangy richness.
• Sour Cream: Adds silky texture and slight tanginess to balance sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides consistent sweetness throughout filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings comforting, classic flavor depth.
• Eggs, Egg Yolks: Contribute structure, richness, and help bind ingredients.
• Heavy Cream: Ensures ultra-creamy, velvety consistency.
• Diced Apples: Introduces fresh, juicy bursts of natural sweetness.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Create caramelized, crispy texture.
• Flour, Oats: Generate crumbly, crunchy streusel layer.
• Ground Cinnamon: Reinforces warm spice profile.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind streusel and create golden-brown color.

Tools to Makre These Cream Cheese Bars

• 9×13-inch baking pan: Perfect for creating these delicious layered bars.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Electric mixer: Essential for beating butter, cream cheese, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Wire rack: Helps cool the crust evenly and quickly.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for preparing different layers and streusel topping.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Knife or pastry cutter: Useful for cutting butter into dry ingredients.
• Spatula: Helps fold apples and smooth out cheesecake layer.
• Toothpick: Checks for doneness of the bars.

Instruction to Make Apple Cream Cheese Bars Without Stress

• Crust Preparation

Craft a buttery foundation by mixing softened butter with brown sugar until fluffy. Blend in flour, warming spices, and a touch of salt. Press this delectable mixture evenly into a parchment-lined baking pan, creating a golden base that will cradle the creamy layers.

• Cheesecake Layer Blending

Transform cream cheese into a silky smooth mixture by beating until glossy. Fold in tangy sour cream, sweet granulated sugar, and aromatic vanilla. Gently incorporate eggs, creating a luxurious canvas. Infuse the batter with rich cream, caramel-like brown sugar, and a whisper of autumn spices. Lovingly fold in tender apple chunks for bursts of fruity surprise.

• Streusel Topping

Create a rustic crown by mixing brown sugar, flour, hearty oats, and cinnamon. Drizzle melted butter throughout, transforming the dry ingredients into a crumbly, golden blanket that will add irresistible texture to the dessert.

• Baking and Cooling

Slide the pan into a warm oven, allowing the layers to meld and transform. Bake until the center sets and the top becomes a golden masterpiece. Let the bars cool completely, then chill in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to deepen and intensify.

• Final Touch

Complete the dessert by drizzling rich salted caramel sauce across the surface. Sprinkle delicate flaky sea salt to elevate the sweet and salty symphony. Slice into elegant bars and serve this decadent autumn-inspired treat.

Adjustments for Caramel, Fruit, or Spice

• Swap graham crackers or shortbread for traditional crust to add unique texture and flavor depth.
• Experiment with different warm spices like ginger or cardamom to create a personalized autumn-inspired taste profile.
• Prepare bars up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container for stress-free entertaining and convenient dessert planning.
• Replace cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream or coconut-based cream cheese to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining rich, creamy texture.
• Top with candied pecans, toasted almonds, or a dollop of whipped cream to elevate presentation and add complementary crunch and flavor layers.

Serving Apple Bars for Dessert or Snack

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Scoop: Top each bar with a cold, velvety vanilla ice cream scoop that melts slightly, creating a delightful contrast to the warm, spiced cheesecake.
• Serve with Warm Cider Companion: Complement the bars with a steaming mug of spiced apple cider, enhancing the autumnal flavors and creating a cozy dessert experience.
• Create Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange bars on a rustic wooden board with fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and additional caramel drizzle for a stunning presentation that invites guests to indulge.
• Craft Brunch Showstopper: Include these bars as a decadent centerpiece for weekend brunch, pairing wonderfully with coffee or a light mimosa for a memorable sweet treat.

Store These Bars and Keep Them Smooth

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store these delectable bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the texture and flavor perfectly intact.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These bars maintain their deliciousness for up to 3 months when frozen, offering a sweet treat anytime.
• Thaw with Care: Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them gradually defrost in the refrigerator overnight. This method ensures the cheesecake layer remains creamy and the crust stays crisp.
• Serve at Perfect Temperature: Remove bars from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow them to slightly warm up, enhancing the rich flavors and ensuring a smooth, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.

Tempting Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Indulgent salted caramel apple cream cheese bars combine sweet and tangy flavors in a delightful dessert. Crumbly graham cracker crust, rich cream cheese filling, and caramel-glazed apple topping make this treat irresistible for anyone craving comfort.

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Ingredients

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• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into 1/8-inch pieces
• 3 (8 oz/226.8 g) brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 2 tbsps light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tsps all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (249 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (227 g) sour cream
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (113 ml/4 fl oz) heavy cream
• ½ cup (106 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¾ cup (159 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick coating. Mix butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into a uniform dough. Press evenly into pan and bake for 8 minutes, then cool completely.
2. Cheesecake Filling: Blend cream cheese until silky, gradually incorporating sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Add eggs and egg yolks individually, mixing thoroughly. Fold in flour gently. Stir heavy cream, brown sugar, spices, and diced apples into the batter until well combined.
3. Streusel Topping: Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, rolled oats, and cinnamon in a bowl. Drizzle melted butter over dry ingredients, stirring until crumbly and slightly clumped.
4. Assembly and Baking: Pour cheesecake mixture over cooled crust, smoothing the surface. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly across the entire layer. Bake 45-50 minutes until center sets and a toothpick comes out nearly clean.
5. Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Before serving, drizzle with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt. Slice into bars and serve chilled.

Notes

• Chill for Perfect Texture: Refrigerate bars for at least 4 hours to allow cheesecake to set completely and enhance flavor development.
• Handle Delicate Crust: Use parchment paper sling to prevent sticking and ensure clean, easy removal of bars from the pan.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Check doneness around 40 minutes to prevent overcooking; center should be slightly jiggly but set.
• Slice with Clean Knife: Wipe knife between cuts with warm, damp cloth for neat, pristine bar edges when serving.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg