Jefferson County Recipe of the Day: Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

This dessert is absolutely irresistible!

Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
2 – 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 medium tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
1/3 cup hot caramel ice cream topping

Directions

~Preheat oven to 350°.

~In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a well-greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes (or until lightly browned).

~Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Spread over crust.

~In a small bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and remaining sugar; spoon over cream cheese layer.

~In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and oats; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple layer.

~Bake 25-30 minutes (or until filling is set). Drizzle with caramel topping; cool in pan on a wire rack one hour.

~Refrigerate at least two hours. Cut into bars.

~Makes three dozen.