Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars



The air is getting crisper, the days shorter and my sweet tooth bigger!  (Or maybe its delayed pregnancy cravings?  Can I still blame it on that 3 weeks post pardum?)  I came across this recipe on a blog and just the picture had my mouth watering--- I couldn't resist making them for my little family (although Littlest Man won't be able to enjoy this batch)... If the finished product is as tasty as each of the different layers (yes I licked the spoon after I got it in the pan), we're in for a treat!

Photo:  The Girl Who Ate Everything

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Source: adapted from Paula Deen & The Girl Who Ate Everything Blog

Ingredients:

Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground 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

Caramel Sauce:

1/2 cup caramel topping

1/4 t. coarse sea salt

Instructions:

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 or food processor- I love my food processor) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 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.

For the streusel topping:
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture.

Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set.

For the caramel sauce:

Mix salt and caramel topping together in a small bowl.  Drizzle with caramel sauce and let cool.

Serve cold and enjoy! Make 16 servings.