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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel apple cheesecake bars with a golden graham crust and a creamy cheesecake layer, topped with sautéed cinnamon apples and caramel drizzle. Baked until the center is just set, then chilled for clean, sliceable bars.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
chilling 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 470
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For crust
  • 2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 0.3333333333 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
For cheesecake filling
  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 cup sour cream
For apple topping
  • 3 apples peeled and diced
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce for drizzling

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and bake
  1. Preheat the oven to 325F and line a 9x13 pan with parchment so it’s easy to lift out later.
  2. Combine graham crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted unsalted butter, then press firmly into the pan to form an even crust.
  3. Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth, then add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract and sour cream.
  4. Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust and spread it into an even layer.
  5. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 325F until the center is just set with only a slight jiggle.
  6. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for 3 hours to fully chill and firm up the bars.
Apple topping and finish
  1. Sauté diced apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for 5 minutes until softened, then cool slightly.
  2. Scatter the sautéed apples over the chilled cheesecake filling, covering the surface evenly.
  3. Drizzle the top with caramel sauce and cut into bars for serving.

Notes

For the cleanest slices, chill the bars until fully firm (3 hours minimum). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; freezing isn’t recommended because the apple topping can weep when thawed. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese in the filling and expect a slightly softer texture.