Easy Apple Cheesecake Bars With Streusel Topping Recipe

Hey there, baking buddy! Remember those crisp autumn days, the ones filled with the scent of cinnamon and warm apples, when you just wanted to cozy up with a treat that tasted like a hug? Well, get ready, because these Apple Cheesecake Bars are about to bring all those nostalgic feelings right into your kitchen. They’re that perfect blend of creamy, crunchy, and delightfully apple-y, making them an absolute must-make for any season, but especially when the leaves start to turn.

I know, I know, “cheesecake” can sound a little intimidating, but trust me on this one. These bars are surprisingly easy to whip up, much quicker than a full cheesecake, and they disappear even faster! They’re the kind of dessert that makes you look like a baking superstar without all the fuss. So, let’s tie on those aprons and make some magic!

Why You’ll Love Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Fast: Quicker than a traditional cheesecake, these bars come together in a flash.
• Easy: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, anyone can make them.
• Giftable: Perfect for sharing with neighbors, bringing to potlucks, or just gifting a sweet treat.
• Crowd-pleasing: Who doesn’t love the combo of apples, cinnamon, and creamy cheesecake?
• Seasonal Favorite: A delightful way to use up fresh apples, especially during harvest season.

Ingredients

Gather ’round, friends, here’s what you’ll need to create these little bites of heaven. Most of these are probably already hanging out in your pantry and fridge!

• Shortbread Crust:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of our sturdy, buttery crust.
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar: Adds a lovely caramel note and tenderness.
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold: Essential for that flaky, rich shortbread texture. Cold is key!
• Cheesecake Layer:
  • 24 ounces cream cheese, softened: Make sure it’s really soft for a lump-free, silky cheesecake. I usually leave mine out on the counter for at least an hour. You could even try making your own easy homemade cream cheese for an extra special touch!
  • 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens our creamy dreams.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A must-have for classic cheesecake flavor.
  • ½ cup sour cream, room temperature: Adds tang and a wonderfully smooth texture.
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream: Contributes to that luscious, rich consistency.
  • 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour: Helps bind the cheesecake and prevents cracks.
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature: Also crucial for a smooth batter!
• Apple Layer:
  • 4 cups apples, peeled and diced: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work beautifully here for a balance of tart and sweet.
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar: Just a little extra sweetness for our apples.
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Because what are apples without cinnamon?
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour: Helps thicken the apple juices as they bake.
• Streusel Topping:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour: Forms the base of our crumbly topping.
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder: Gives a slight lift and tenderness to the streusel.
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar: Deep, rich sweetness and moisture.
  • ½ cup unsalted butter: For that irresistible buttery crunch.
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream: Helps create those perfect, clumpy streusel bits.
• Optional:
  • Caramel sauce, for drizzling: A swirl of caramel just takes these over the top!

How to Make Apple Cheesecake Bars

Alright, let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a tray of pure delight in no time.

1. Get That Shortbread Crust Ready

First things first, preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper. This little trick makes lifting out your cooled bars so much easier!

Now, in your food processor, pulse together the 2 cups of flour and ½ cup of brown sugar until they’re nicely combined. Next, cut your cold 1 cup of butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and toss them into the food processor. Pulse away until you have fine, sandy crumbles. Don’t overmix, we want crumbles, not a paste!

Press this lovely mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. While it’s baking, let’s get to the good stuff!

2. Whip Up the Creamy Cheesecake Layer

While your crust is getting golden, it’s cheesecake time! In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or your stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s light and beautifully fluffy. This is where truly softened cream cheese shines!

Add the granulated sugar and beat until it’s well combined and smooth. Next, stir in the vanilla extract, room temperature sour cream, and ½ cup heavy cream. Mix just until everything is incorporated.

Now, gently mix in the 1½ tablespoons of flour. Finally, add your eggs, one at a time, stirring by hand after each addition until just combined. Resist the urge to overmix once the eggs are in! Overmixing can introduce too much air, which can cause cracks. Pour this luscious cheesecake mixture right over your warm, pre-baked shortbread crust.

3. Prepare Your Apple Layer

In another bowl, toss together your diced apples, 3 tablespoons of sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of flour. Make sure those apples are nicely coated!

Sprinkle this apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer in your baking dish. It’s starting to look (and smell!) amazing already, isn’t it?

4. Assemble the Perfect Streusel Topping

Clean out your food processor bowl (or just use a clean bowl and your hands if you prefer!). Pulse together the 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1 cup of brown sugar until mixed. Cut your ½ cup of butter into tablespoon pieces and add them in. Pulse a few more times until you’ve got glorious, crumbly bits.

Now, here’s a little secret for extra clumpy streusel: sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of heavy cream over the mixture and stir with a fork, or pulse just once or twice more. This creates those irresistible, larger crumbs. Sprinkle this streusel topping generously over the apples in your baking dish.

5. Bake to Perfection and Chill

Place your baking dish back into the 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 45 minutes. When the timer goes off, here’s a crucial step for preventing cracks in your cheesecake: turn off the oven but keep the door closed for another 20 minutes. This allows the cheesecake to cool down slowly and gently. Then, open the oven door a crack and let the apple cheesecake bars cool completely to room temperature inside the oven.

Once cooled, the hardest part: pop them into the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours. This chilling time is essential for the cheesecake to fully set, making for perfect, clean slices. Once chilled, slice them into bars and, if you’re feeling fancy (and I always am!), drizzle with some warm caramel sauce before serving. If you love baked desserts that incorporate fruit and a delightful crunch, you might also enjoy our moist cinnamon applesauce bread!

Substitutions & Additions

Feel free to get creative with these bars! Here are a few ideas:

• Different Apples: While I love a good crisp apple, you can mix and match. Softer apples like Gala will give a sweeter, meltier texture, while Granny Smiths will add more tartness.
• Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of ground ginger to your apple layer for extra fall flavor.
• Nutty Topping: Fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into your streusel topping for added crunch and flavor.
• Crust Variations: Not a fan of shortbread? You could try a graham cracker crust instead for a different texture.
• No Apples? No Problem! In a pinch, you can swap the fresh apples for canned apple pie filling, drained, and omit the extra sugar and flour for the apple layer.

Tips for Success

Baking should be fun, not frustrating! Here are my top tips for making sure your Apple Cheesecake Bars turn out perfectly every time:

• Room Temperature Ingredients are GOLD: For the cheesecake layer, ensure your cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs are at room temperature. This is the secret to a smooth, lump-free cheesecake batter that blends beautifully.
• Don’t Overmix the Cheesecake: Once you add the eggs, mix just until combined. Overmixing incorporates too much air, which can cause your cheesecake to puff up and then crack as it cools.
• Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Don’t skip lining your baking dish! It makes removing and cutting the bars so much easier.
• Cooling is Key: The slow cooling process in the oven, followed by chilling in the fridge, is vital for a perfectly set cheesecake that won’t crack or fall apart when you cut it. Patience, my friend, patience! For more comprehensive guidance on creating flawless bar cookies, check out our ultimate guide to baking perfect bar cookies.
• Prep Ahead: You can peel and dice your apples a day in advance and store them in an airtight container with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning.

How to Store Apple Cheesecake Bars

These bars are so good, they rarely last long, but here’s how to keep them fresh!

• Refrigerator: Store any leftover Apple Cheesecake Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the bars. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

FAQs

Q: Can I use different types of apples?
A: Absolutely! I recommend a mix of sweet and tart apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith for the best flavor balance, but feel free to use your favorites!

Q: My cheesecake cracked. What happened?
A: Cracks usually happen when the cheesecake cools too quickly or if the batter was overmixed, incorporating too much air. Follow the slow cooling process in the oven to minimize this. Even if it cracks, it’ll still taste amazing!

Q: Can I make these ahead for a party?
A: Yes! These bars are fantastic for making a day in advance. The flavors even meld and deepen overnight in the fridge. Just add the caramel drizzle (if using) before serving.

Q: What’s the best way to get clean slices?
A: Make sure your bars are fully chilled! Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean with a warm, damp cloth between each slice for the cleanest cuts. If you enjoy other delightful bar recipes with a creamy component, you’ll love our easy carrot cake bars with cream cheese frosting.

I hope you love these Apple Cheesecake Bars as much as I do! They truly are a little slice of comfort and joy. Happy baking, friends!

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