Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the kind of treat that feels like autumn baked into every bite. Imagine the crunch of buttery shortbread, the warmth of spiced apples, a creamy cheesecake layer, and a golden streusel topping—all crowned with a glossy drizzle of salted caramel. Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the perfect fall dessert to serve at Thanksgiving or any cozy gathering.

Whether you’re searching for fall dessert recipes to add to your seasonal lineup or dreaming of nostalgic caramel apple desserts that remind you of county fairs and crisp October evenings, these cheesecake bars check every box. They’re indulgent yet approachable, elegant but easy enough to bake on a cozy weekend afternoon.

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake bars layer a buttery shortbread crust, creamy spiced apple cheesecake, crumbly streusel topping, and a drizzle of salted caramel. A cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for fall gatherings and Thanksgiving tables.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 bars

Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature, for crust
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed, for crust
• 2 cups all-purpose flour for crust
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon divided
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg divided
• 24 oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 3 large eggs room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar for cheesecake
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour for cheesecake filling
• 2 cups Granny Smith apples peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar for apples
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for streusel
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup brown sugar for streusel
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar for streusel
• 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for streusel
• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce store-bought or homemade, for drizzling
• flaky sea salt such as Maldon, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Make the crust: Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix until crumbly, then press into the prepared pan.
• Bake crust for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.
• Make the cheesecake layer: Beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, eggs, and yolks one at a time, mixing well. Stir in flour and heavy cream until fully incorporated.
• Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
• Prepare the apples: Toss diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Distribute evenly over the cheesecake layer.
• Make the streusel: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over apples.
• Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, then reduce temperature to 300°F and bake an additional 40 minutes, until edges are set and center jiggles slightly.
• Cool in pan for 1 hour at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight until fully set.
• Lift bars out of the pan using parchment. Drizzle with warm salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a festive twist, try swapping some apples for cranberries or mixing in white chocolate chips. For best texture, add the caramel drizzle just before serving. These bars freeze well—wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 GF flour blend in the crust and streusel.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg

Keyword caramel apple desserts, cozy comfort food desserts, fall dessert recipes, Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, Thanksgiving dessert ideas

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A Fall Dessert That’s More Than Pie

Pumpkin pie and pecan pie may get the spotlight at Thanksgiving, but guests always light up when something unexpected appears on the table. These bars offer the perfect balance between tradition and surprise, fitting right alongside Thanksgiving dessert ideas while stealing the show with their layers.

Sweet and Salty Magic

Salted caramel is having a moment, and for good reason. The salted caramel dessert trend has proven that a pinch of flaky sea salt can turn simple sweetness into something irresistible. Drizzled over spiced apple cheesecake, it creates a flavor experience that’s equal parts indulgent and balanced.

Built for Sharing and Make-Ahead

Unlike a full cheesecake that demands careful slicing and serving, cheesecake bars are designed for gatherings. Just cut, drizzle, and pass them around. Better yet, they’re a make-ahead dessert, staying perfectly fresh after chilling overnight. That means you can prep ahead for holidays, potlucks, or family dinners with zero stress.

Layers of Comfort

The texture story here is unbeatable: buttery crust, creamy cheesecake, tender apples, crunchy streusel, silky caramel. These aren’t just cozy comfort food desserts—they’re a hug in edible form.

Ingredient Breakdown and Substitutions

For the Shortbread Crust

• Butter: Unsalted, room temperature. You can swap for plant-based butter if needed.
• Light brown sugar: Adds depth. White sugar works in a pinch, though it loses that caramel warmth.
• All-purpose flour: The base structure. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 GF flour blend.
• Warm spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg infuse the crust with autumn flavor.

For the Spiced Apple Cheesecake Filling

• Cream cheese: Full-fat is classic, but reduced-fat works if you want to lighten it slightly.
• Sour cream + heavy cream: These keep the cheesecake silky. Greek yogurt can replace sour cream.
• Eggs + yolks: Create structure. Room temp is key for smooth mixing.
• Granulated sugar: Balances the tang of cream cheese.
• Apples: Granny Smiths are best, tart enough to cut the sweetness. Honeycrisp or Pink Lady also shine.
• Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add warm holiday flavor.

For the Streusel Topping

• Brown sugar + granulated sugar: The combo makes it caramel-like yet crisp.
• Oats: Give texture. Quick oats also work, though they’ll be softer.
• Butter: Holds it all together. Chill before mixing to keep the streusel crumbly.

For Serving

• Salted caramel sauce: Store-bought or homemade. Warm before drizzling.
• Flaky sea salt: Maldon or fleur de sel makes the drizzle sparkle.

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

1. Prepare the Crust
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 pan with parchment for easy removal. Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt—press into the pan. Bake 8 minutes, then cool slightly.
2. Mix the Cheesecake Filling
   Beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, eggs, and yolks—one at a time. Stir in flour, then fold in heavy cream. Spread over cooled crust.
3. Add the Apples
   Toss diced Granny Smith apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Scatter evenly over cheesecake filling.
4. Make the Streusel
   Mix brown sugar, sugar, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.
5. Bake the Bars
   Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 300°F and bake 40 more minutes, until edges are set but center jiggles slightly. Cool 1 hour, then refrigerate 5 hours or overnight.
6. Finish and Serve
   Lift bars out with parchment, drizzle with salted caramel, sprinkle with flaky salt, slice, and serve.

Variations of Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

• Apple Cheesecake Recipes Twist: Swap Granny Smith for Honeycrisp or mix apple varieties for complexity.
• Pumpkin Fusion: Swirl pumpkin purée into the cheesecake base to lean into holiday baking recipes.
• Nutty Crunch: Add pecans or walnuts to the streusel for an extra fall touch.
• Portable Treat: Skip the caramel drizzle until just before serving to make them travel-friendly for potlucks.
• Christmas Version: Add cranberries and white chocolate for a festive December update.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerator: Store bars in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
• Make-Ahead: Bake a day in advance and drizzle with caramel just before serving.

FAQs

More Cozy Dessert Inspirations

If you’re looking to expand your holiday dessert menu, I’ve got a few favorites you won’t want to miss. For another decadent option, try my Brownie Caramel Cheesecake—it’s rich, fudgy, and just as indulgent as these bars. If bite-sized treats are more your style, you’ll love the Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes, which capture all the cozy fall flavors in a smaller package. And for a festive twist that belongs on every Thanksgiving table, the Salted Maple Pecan Pie Bars are a must-bake. Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest and Facebook for even more cozy recipes and holiday baking inspiration.

These Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars will become your go-to fall dessert for holidays, potlucks, and cozy family dinners.