Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.
Apple Cheesecake Bars made with a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, spiced apples and a crumble topping are a decadent fall treat!
Browsing through my collection of dessert recipes, I realized that I have a Pumpkin Cheesecake Bar Recipe and an Eggnog Cheesecake Bar Recipe and figured it was time that I develop 1 more fall cheesecake bar recipe featuring my favorite fall fruit: apples.
Pumpkin gets all of the love in the fall but let me tell you that in the early fall when the temperatures start to cool, the days get crisp and the leaves start to turn I start to crave all the apple desserts. And now that I have made these, these Apple Cheesecake Bars are going right to the top of our dessert rotation.
It has a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, spiced apples and a crumble topping. You are going to love it.
Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it.
Apple Cheesecake Bars Ingredients:
The crust is pretty basic: graham crackers and melted butter. And you will need all the usual suspects to make the cheese cake: cream cheese, heavy cream, sour cream, eggs and vanilla. You will also need:
APPLES: I used 1 large granny smith apple for this because I love the tartness that it adds. You could also use a Braeburn or Honey Crisp apple.
CINNAMON/GINGER: Adds that classic fall, warm flavor to the apples.
SUGAR: To sweeten them up a bit.
LEMON JUICE: Will add a bit of acidity to the apples.
You’ll also be making a crumble topping and will need:
FLOUR
BROWN SUGAR: Adds sweetness and molasses flavor to the crumble topping.
CINNAMON
COLD BUTTER: It is essential that the butter is cold. This will help hold the crumb toppings together.
Step by Step Photos and Instructions:
Making these Apple Cheesecake Bars might sound a little daunting because of the different layers but it is actually quite easy. And unlike most cheesecake recipes, you don’t even need a water bath!
Make crust. Pour cheesecake into crust. Top with spiced apples. Top with crumble topping. Bake.
STEP #1: Combine the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together in a bowl. Mix until the crumbs are moistened. Press into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325.
STEP 2: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in heavy cream, granulated sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract and eggs. Beat until smooth and creamy. Pour cheese cake mixture into crust.
STEP #3: In a small bowl combine apples, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and ground ginger. Mix well. Scatter on top of the cheesecake.
STEP #4: In another bowl whisk together flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add in butter and use a fork, a pastry cutter or clean hands to cut the butter into the mixture until it is crumbly. Sprinkle that mixture over the top of apples. Bake in preheated oven for 45 – 55 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out mostly clean.
STEP #5: Allow to cool on a cooling rack for about 40 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled through, at least 2 hours. Cut and serve.
Storage and Leftovers:
Store any leftover cheesecake bars covered in the refrigerator. It’s best eaten within 3 days.
Looking for more Apple desserts? Try these!
If you want a full size cheesecake with the addition of caramel, you’ve got to try this Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake .
Apple Galette is an easy, rustic fall dessert with baked apples in a flaky, homemade crust. If you love apple pie, you’re going to fall head over heels in love with thisrecipe!
Easy Apple Crisp is the perfect fall dessert. Loaded with sweet apples and topped with a crumb topping. It’s my favorite easy alternative to apple pie!
Apple Cheesecake Bars
Apple Cheesecake Bars made with a graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, spiced apples and a crumble topping are a decadent fall treat!
Line a 8″x8″ glass pan with foil, be sure to cover the sides, you are going to use this to lift the cheesecake out of the pan.
Combine the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs together in a bowl. Mix until the crumbs are moistened. Press into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in heavy cream, granulated sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract and eggs. Beat until smooth and creamy. Pour cheese cake mixture into crust.
In a small bowl combine apples, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and ground ginger. Mix well. Scatter on top of the cheesecake.
In another bowl whisk together flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add in butter and use a fork, a pastry cutter or clean hands to cut the butter into the mixture until it is crumbly. Sprinkle that mixture over the top of apples. Bake in preheated oven for 50 – 60 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out mostly clean.
Allow to cool on a cooling rack for about 40 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled through, about 2 hours. Cut into 12 pieces and serve.
Notes
Don’t skip the chilling time. It will really help the cheesecake set. Nutrition information for estimation purposes only.
Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.