Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Salted caramel apple cream cheese bars blend sweet and tangy flavors into a mouthwatering dessert that defies ordinary expectations.

Creamy textures and rich layers create an irresistible combination of ingredients that dance across your palate.

Soft cream cheese provides a luxurious base for the vibrant apple components, while caramel adds depth and complexity to each delectable bite.

Warm spices and subtle salt undertones elevate this treat from simple to extraordinary, crafting basic ingredients into a memorable culinary experience.

Seasonal apples contribute natural sweetness and a delightful hint of tartness that complements the smooth, velvety filling.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this impressive dessert with minimal kitchen expertise and straightforward techniques.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that promises to become your new favorite indulgence.

Storing and Reheating Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Wrap individual bars tightly with plastic wrap for extra protection.
• Freezing Method: Carefully place bars in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze flat for maximum preservation. Frozen bars maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw refrigerated or frozen bars in the refrigerator overnight. For best texture, enjoy chilled or let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to preserve the delicate cheesecake and streusel layers.

Pairing Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars with Drinks

• Brew Cozy Chai Latte: Warm, spiced chai perfectly complements the cinnamon and nutmeg notes in these decadent apple bars, creating a harmonious flavor explosion that feels like a autumn hug.
• Pour Rich Vanilla Bourbon: A smooth bourbon with vanilla undertones enhances the creamy cheesecake layer and highlights the sweet-salty caramel drizzle, making each bite more luxurious.
• Serve Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Top the bars with a dollop of freshly whipped cream infused with ground cinnamon, adding an extra layer of silky richness that elevates the dessert's warmth and complexity.
• Pair Crisp Apple Cider: A chilled, slightly tart apple cider cuts through the richness of the cream cheese and balances the sweet caramel, creating a refreshing contrast that makes the dessert feel lighter.

Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars: A Sweet Fall Treat

• Craft Luxurious Layers: Each bite delivers a decadent journey through buttery crust, creamy cheesecake, and tender apple chunks, creating a symphony of textures that dance together delightfully.
• Capture Seasonal Comfort: Warm autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves transform this dessert into a cozy embrace of fall flavors, perfectly capturing the essence of comfort baking.
• Master Make-Ahead Magic: These bars can be prepared in advance and chilled overnight, making them an ideal dessert for busy hosts who want to impress without last-minute stress, with the bonus of enhanced flavor development.
• Elevate with Elegant Finish: The salted caramel drizzle and flaky sea salt sprinkle add a sophisticated touch, balancing sweetness with a gourmet twist that turns a simple dessert into a show-stopping treat.

Ingredients for Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars

• Butter: Provides rich, tender base with a golden flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture to the crust.
• Flour: Helps bind the crust ingredients together.
• Cinnamon: Offers warm, aromatic spice note.
• Nutmeg: Contributes subtle, complementary baking spice flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances sweetness.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, rich base for cheesecake layer.
• Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and creamy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers classic baking flavor.
• Eggs, Egg Yolks: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
• Flour: Helps stabilize cheesecake mixture.
• Heavy Cream: Increases richness and creaminess.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth of flavor.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Warm spice blend for complexity.
• Apples: Fresh fruit component with natural sweetness.

• Brown Sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness to streusel.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides additional sweetness.
• Flour: Helps bind streusel.
• Oats: Creates crunchy texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm spice flavor.
• Butter: Helps create crumbly streusel texture.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: Provides luxurious finishing touch.
• Flaky Sea Salt

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm oven to 350°F. Line 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over sides. Lightly coat with cooking spray for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Crust Base

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar

• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Press dough evenly across pan bottom. Bake 8 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.

Step 3: Whip Creamy Cheesecake Filling

• Sour cream
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract

• Flour
• Heavy cream
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Gently mix diced apples into batter. Pour evenly over cooled crust.

Step 4: Craft Crunchy Streusel Topping

• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Flour
• Oats
• Cinnamon

Pour melted butter, stirring until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly across cheesecake layer.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake 45-50 minutes until center sets and toothpick comes out clean. Let bars cool completely in pan.

Step 6: Chill and Finish

Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Before serving, drizzle with salted caramel sauce. Dust with flaky sea salt. Slice into delectable bars.

Top Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars

• Chill Dough Perfectly: Refrigerate the crust mixture for 15 minutes before pressing into the pan to prevent sticking and create a more stable base.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss diced apples with a splash of lemon juice to keep them fresh and prevent discoloration during baking.
• Smooth Cheesecake Layer: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat thoroughly to eliminate lumps for a silky-smooth texture.
• Avoid Cracking: Place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack while baking to create humidity and prevent cheesecake from cracking.
• Slice Like a Pro: Use a clean, hot knife wiped between each cut to create neat, clean edges when serving the bars.

Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars Variations You’ll Love

• Nutty Autumn Crunch: Enhance the streusel by adding chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture and a deep, rich flavor profile that complements the apples and cream cheese.
• Maple Spice Infusion: Replace the caramel drizzle with a homemade maple glaze and increase the warm spices by adding a touch of ground ginger to amplify the autumn-inspired taste.
• Berry Cheesecake Fusion: Swap half of the diced apples with fresh raspberries or blueberries to create a vibrant, fruity variation that adds a tangy contrast to the creamy base.
• Chocolate Caramel Dream: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips into the cheesecake layer and use dark chocolate drizzle instead of caramel for a decadent, rich dessert experience.

Salted Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Salted caramel apple cream cheese bars combine rich flavors of autumn’s harvest with creamy indulgence. Warm spices and buttery crust create a delightful dessert that invites you to savor each sweet and tangy bite.

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Ingredients

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Crust Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup (159 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:

• 3 (8 ounces/226.8 grams each) brick-style cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup (227 grams) sour cream
• 1 ½ cups (249 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (113 milliliters/4 fluid ounces) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into 1/8-inch pieces

Streusel Topping and Finishing Ingredients:

• ½ cup (106 grams) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (177°C). Create a parchment paper sling in a 9×13-inch baking pan, ensuring easy removal, and lightly coat with non-stick spray.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and airy using an electric mixer. Incorporate flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until a uniform dough forms.
3. Press the crust mixture evenly into the pan’s bottom and bake for 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
4. Clean the mixer bowl and beat cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually add sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully integrated.
5. Introduce eggs and egg yolks individually, ensuring thorough incorporation after each addition. Fold in flour until just combined.
6. Gently mix heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves into the cheesecake batter. Carefully fold diced apples throughout the mixture.
7. Pour the apple-studded cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
8. Prepare the streusel topping by combining brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, rolled oats, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
9. Pour melted butter over the dry ingredients and stir until the mixture becomes crumbly and slightly clumpy.
10. Distribute the streusel evenly across the cheesecake layer, covering the entire surface.
11. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean with minimal moisture.
12. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
13. Before serving, drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle flaky sea salt across the top.
14. Slice into individual bars and serve chilled.

Notes

• Prepare ingredients at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Completely cool the crust before adding cheesecake layer to prevent soggy bottom and ensure clean layers.
• Gently fold apples into cheesecake mixture to maintain their shape and prevent breaking down during baking.
• Use parchment paper overhang for easy removal and clean slicing of bars without sticking.
• Chill bars thoroughly to help set the cheesecake and enhance flavor development.
• Sprinkle sea salt just before serving to maintain crispness and provide a burst of flavor contrast.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 456 kcal
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg