CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS

These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are a layer of cheesecake over a graham cracker crust covered with cinnamon-spiced apples a streusel topping and drizzled with sweet caramel. The PERFECT dessert for Fall!

Yield: Makes one 8 X 8-inch dish

INGREDIENTS :

Crust

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Cheesecake Filling

• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Apple Layer

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 Granny Smith apple

Streusel Topping

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Caramel Drizzle

• 12 individually wrapped caramels
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• OR salted caramel sundae topping

DIRECTIONS :

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8 X 8-inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the crust: graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter, and mix well with a fork.
3. Place crust mixture into prepared baking dish, pressing down gently with your fingers.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until soft and smooth, about 2 minutes.
5. Add the sugar, egg and vanilla and beat until smooth and thoroughly combined.
6. Pour over crust, spreading evenly.
7. In a medium bowl, combine ingredients for the apple layer: brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Mix well.
8. Peel, core and dice the apple into small pieces. Add to dry ingredients and toss to coat.
9. Distribute evenly over the cheesecake layer in the baking dish.
10. In another medium bowl, combine ingredients for streusel topping: brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and melted butter. Mix welll until a coarse meal is formed. Sprinkle evenly over apple layer.
11. Bake for 30-40 minutes until streusel is golden.
12. Transfer baking dish to a wire rack to cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for an hour or more to set.
13. For the caramel drizzle, in a microwavable bowl, melt the caramels on increments of 30 seconds, until smooth, stirring in between. Allow to cool slightly and stir in the heavy cream.
14. Drizzle with homemade caramel sauce or caramel sundae sauce topping before serving.