Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

I decided to make an apple dessert. It was an adventure I wasn't sure I was up for. I have never baked anything with fresh fruit in it. It may sound crazy but I was really nervous. In the end I had no reason to be because it turned out fantastic. It was like a delicious cream cheesey apple pie.

Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

*I didn't like how thick the crust was originally so I halved the recipe 

Crust:

1 cup Flour

1/4 cup firmly packed Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:

3 - 8 oz pkgs Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 Tbsp, divided

3 large Eggs

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla

Apples:

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 cup Caramel Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Combine ingredients for Streusel topping and sprinkle evenly over cream cheese mixture. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Refrigerate several hours. Serve cold and enjoy!

Recipe Source: www.thegirlwhoateeverything.blogspot.com