Shelly's Recipe

CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS WITH STREUSEL TOPPING

Category: Bars

2 cups flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 (8-oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar, divided
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup caramel topping

Preheat oven to 350.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13x9-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tbsp sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel Topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.

Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.