Indulge in the perfect blend of creamy cheesecake, crisp apples, and luscious caramel in our irresistible caramel apple cheesecake bars.

This recipe costs $14.40 to make. The recipe makes twenty-four servings for about $0.60 per serving. 

Caramel being poured over the Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars.

Apple Cheesecake Bars

I love making some of my favorite desserts in bar form because it’s just easierespecially when making cheesecake. These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are much easier to cut and serve! These Cheesecake Bars are the perfect Fall dessert for parties, potlucks, bake sales, and even Thanksgiving!

These Cheesecake bars have a buttery crust topped with creamy cheesecake, tangy apples, sweet caramel, and a crumbly oat topping baked to perfection. These bars are easier to make than a traditional pie or cheesecake, giving you the best of both worlds. 

What You’ll Love About Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars:

  • Flavor: Caramel, apples, and cheesecake – a heavenly trio! 
  • Serve a Crowd: Perfect for parties with 24 servings. 
  • Easy Prep: Skip the water bath of traditional cheesecake and save time!
The finished cheesecake bars cut into 12 pieces.

Ingredients and Estimated Cost:

Per Serving Cost: $0.60

Recipe Cost: $14.40

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour – $0.38
  • ½ cup brown sugar – $0.22
  • 1 cup butter – $1.76
  • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese – $4.48
  • ½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar – $0.10
  • 2 large eggs – $0.46
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.68
  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples – $1.68
  • ¾ teaspoon apple pie seasoning – $0.21
  • 1 cup Kraft caramel bits – $1.32
  • ½ cup butter – $0.88
  • 1 cup brown sugar – $0.44
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour – $0.19
  • ½ cup quick oats – $0.14
  • ½ cup caramel topping – $1.46

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in September 2023.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How To Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars:

***For complete recipe instructions and a recipe video, see the recipe card below.

  1. First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil. 
  2. Next, mix the flour and brown sugar and cut in the butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly. 
  3. Press the mixture into the prepared pan and prick it with a fork about thirty times. Bake for fifteen minutes.
  4. Next, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and the vanilla. 
  5. Smooth the cream cheese mixture over the warm crust. 
  6. In another large bowl, stir together the chopped apples, sugar, apple pie seasoning, and caramel bits. Spoon the mixture over the cream cheese mixture. 
  7. Next, mix the brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter until combined and sprinkle it evenly over the filling. Bake the bars for thirty-five to forty-five minutes. 
  8. Finally, cool the bars to room temperature before letting them chill in the fridge for two hours. After chilling the bars, cut, drizzle with caramel topping, and serve. 

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions:

  • You can use wrapped caramels if you can’t find the Kraft Baking Bits. Cut them into small pieces before using them in the recipe. 
  • Cinnamon can be substituted for Apple Pie Seasoning in this recipe.
  • You can use low-fat cream cheese, but please don’t use fat-free. 

Storage and Serving Tips:

SERVE: A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce can add a delightful finishing touch. Serve them chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference. 

Store: Keep your cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Place a parchment or wax paper layer between the bars to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge. 

Freeze: Ensure the cheesecake bars are fully cooled. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, followed by placing them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for 2-3 months. 

Thaw: Transfer the caramel apple cheesecake bars to the refrigerator and let them slowly thaw overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain their creamy consistency. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe FAQs:

How do you know when cheesecake bars are done?

Bake the cheesecake until it is set. You will know it is set if it wobbles slightly when moving the pan.

Do you bake a cheesecake on the top or bottom rack?

You will actually want to bake these cheesecake bars on the middle rack of the oven to help it bake evenly.

An Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bar on a white plate.

More Apple Desserts:

A close up of threee Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars stacked on top of each other.
4.85 from 13 votes

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Author Adapted from Paula Deen for the Food Network
Recipe Cost $ $14.40
Serving Cost $ $0.60
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 5 minutes
24 bars
Indulge in the perfect blend of creamy cheesecake, crisp apples, and luscious caramel in our irresistible caramel apple cheesecake bars.

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • handheld mixer
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • rubber scraper
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • pastry cutter
  • parchment paper
  • fork
  • spoon

Ingredients
 
 

CRUST:

  • 2 Cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup salted butter softened

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

APPLE LAYER:

  • 3 medium Granny Smith apples
  • ¾ teaspoon apple pie seasoning
  • 1 cup Kraft caramel bits

TOPPING:

  • ½ cup salted butter softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup quick oats

FOR SERVING:

  • ½ cup caramel topping

Instructions

PREP OVEN AND PAN:

  • Adjust oven rack to the middle position.
  • Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃).
  • Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.

MAKE CRUST:

  • In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar.
  • Cut in butter with a pastry cutter (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly.
  • Press the crumbs evenly into your prepared pan.
  • Prick the dough with a fork about 30 times.
  • Bake 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and ½ cup of the sugar with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Mix until just combined.
  • Pour the filling over the warm crust and smooth into an even layer with a spatula.

MAKE APPLE LAYER:

  • In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, apple pie seasoning, and caramel bits.
  • Spoon the apples evenly over the cream cheese layer.

MAKE TOPPING:

  • In a medium bowl stir together the brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter until combined.
  • Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the cream cheese filling.
  • Bake 35-45 minutes, or until the filling is set.

TO FINISH:

  • Cool the bars to room temperature for about 2 hours and then chill for at least 2 more hours.
  • Use the foil overhang to lift the bars from the pan and cut into 24 bars.
  • Drizzle with caramel topping and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 649IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

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Recipe Rating




18 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing, this looks so good.

  2. Katie Goldsworthy says:

    Delicious! Pinning to our Monday Funday board! Thanks for linking!

    1. Awesome, thanks so much! 🙂

  3. Annie @ Annie's Noms says:

    These are genius!! I love that you’ve made them portable; caramel apple anything is my favourite right now; these look delicious!!

  4. Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says:

    All the right words for a really delicious treat, caramel, apple and cheesecake. Perfect. A great use of apples.

  5. Hannah Hossack-Lodge says:

    These sound so good! I think I could probably demolish most of the tray by myself…

  6. Amy | The Cook Report says:

    Oh wow, these look amazing! What a fab combo of flavours

  7. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says:

    What a sweet treat, these look amazing. I would love to have one now with a cup of tea

  8. These look absolutely wonderful and am planning to make them for a fall cookout next weekend. I noticed the recipe calls for a 9×13 pan but the pictures show what looks to be an 8×8 pan. With 2 blocks of cream cheese, I would assume the bigger pan should be used but I just want to be sure. Thanks, I can’t wait to try them!

    1. Hi Nicole, for the recipe video I just made them in an 8×8-inch pan because the smaller pan fits under my camera and tripod better!

  9. What is the best way to store these?

    1. In an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you stack them on top of each other, place a layer of wax paper between them.

  10. Oh My deliciousness! These caramel apple cheesecake bars are totally drool worthy and irresistible. I can’t wait to make them. Yummy1

  11. I recently tried this recipe and they were absolutely divine! The combination of creamy cheesecake, sweet caramel, and tart apple was a delightful treat for my taste buds. I highly recommend giving them a try!

  12. veenaazmanov says:

    Thanks for such an amazing recipe. I love every combination to making these yummy bars. The cream cheese layer, thee Apple crumble and the caramel drizzle.

  13. Sara Welch says:

    This was such a fun and delicious treat that does not disappoint! Easy, delicious and definitely gourmet; the perfect treat for fall, indeed!

  14. You took everything I love about apple pie and cheesecake and turned it into a dessert bar!! These were so tasty and decadent – and I’m sure I’ll be making this regularly during the fall!