The Improv Cooking Challenge - Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

For a few times now I have linked up with the Lady Behind the Curtain blog and her weekly link up recipes. She started a new cooking monthly challenge, giving us two ingredients and we have bake something using those two ingredients.
The Improve Cooking Challenge

This month the two ingredients are caramel and apples, how perfect for Halloween, right? So my recipe for this coking challenge - - caramel apple cheesecake bars. I made these for the team dinner we had last week, it was a 9X13 pan and not a single bar was left by the end of the night. I think that is a testament to how great these bars are and how you should pass up the opportunity to make these delectable delights!
This recipe is easy, really it is, it may sound difficult but trust me, it isn't the I'm sure your 9X13 pan will be quickly eaten all up too!
First, gather your ingredients: For the crust, you need 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 2 sticks butter, room temperature.
For the cheesecake layer, you need 3 packages, 8 ounces each of cream cheese, softened, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract. 
For the apple layer, you need 3 large apples, cubed up, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 tablespoons sugar.
For the streusel topping, you need 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup quick cooking oats, 1 stick of butter, softened. 

Finally, you can start baking!
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9X13 baking dish was aluminium foil, believe you will not want to stick this step, it will make your life easier.
In a bowl, combine the flour and the brown sugar. Then add in the butter and either use a fork or a pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.

Press this mixture into the aluminum lined dish.

 Put this into the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. In your mixing bowl, add the cream cheese and the 3/4 cup sugar and beat until smooth.


 Then add the eggs, one at a time, beating the mixture between adding in each egg. Add in the vanilla, mix, and then pour it over the baked crust.

In another add, combine the chopped apples, 2 tablespoons of sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Sprinkle the apples evenly over the cheesecake mixture. Finally, mix together the ingredients for the streusel mixture, it should be crumbly looking and sprinkle that over the apple layer. Pop the entire dish back into the oven to bake for 40-45 minutes or until the cheesecake filling is set. When you pull out the bars, drizzle some caramel sauce on top of the dish and then let the entire dessert cool.




I put mine in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to eat, lift the bars out of the dish with the aluminium foil, then slice, eat and enjoy!

33 comments:

Simply LKJ said...

These sound delicious! Love the challenge too.

Anonymous said...

those look amazing! i bet sean loves that you are such a great cook :)

Michelle said...

Holy crap that looks good! If those were my two ingredients, apple slices would be dipped in caramel - like a 3 year old. :-)

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www.twentynineblog.com

amy grace said...

Oooo! These look awesome! I love apples and caramel!

Lindsay said...

holy. schmoly. you now know of my love for apples. and cheesecake. and caramel. :) i must make these very very soon!

Amanda said...

Can you put some in a box and mail them to me if you haven't already eaten them? It would be very much appreciated :)

Hilliary Meisner said...

Oh-My Goodness! These look absolutely amazing! A perfect fall treat! Who doesn't love carmel and apples together, and with the bonus of cheesecake! Perfect!

Anonymous said...

My heavens, that recipe made my mouth water. I can't wait to try this!

... said...

ANOTHER FOOD POST! I need to eat breakfast before I stop over ;) I love this recipe...looks delicious!

Christina said...

I LOVE apple desserts! I'm making this one for our Turkeypalooza (Thanksgiving with friends!) coming up!

Lauren said...

YUM! I'm in charge of dessert again for small group in a few weeks...these may have to make an appearance for sure!

Kate @ Daffodils said...

O my yum!

Anne said...

These look delicious! I love caramel:)
~Anne

CALLIE said...

YUMMMMMM!!!

Ruthie Hart said...

what a cool link up! yummy!

amy b.s. said...

these sound awesome! very impressive.

Rebekah said...

I made these a few weeks ago for my husband's office and they all loved it!

Elizabeth Ann @ Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box said...

did you make up that recipe YOURSELF???? Oh my gosh! I am SOOO impressed! And I am pinning these! And I am making these! IMMEDIATELY! :-)

Ashley said...

YUM! That looks so tasty! This makes me want to have a Halloween dessert party after seeing all the yummy treats other bloggers have been making lately. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Ok Meg these bars were amazing!!! you did such a great job!!! I could have eaten like 5 more pieces :)

Unknown said...

yummy yum! Those look delightful! :)

Simply Camylla said...

That looks super delicious Meg, what a great recipe!
Deff giving it a try!

Happy Thursday girlie <3
Simplycamylla.blogspot.com

BeckyJo606 said...

These look so delicious! I knew you would have a great apple dish ready to go. I'm so glad that your team dinner went well--I'm sure they LOVED these bars!! :)

Sarah said...

Ive been dying to make these...Im very happy to hear they were a success!

Amanda said...

wow, these look so yummy! Visiting from Sheryl's Cooking Challenge.
Blessings,
Amanda

BreAna {Sugar and Spice and All Things Iced} said...

Three of my favorite things in one dessert--apples, caramel, and cheesecake!! What a delicious idea and perfect for this month's challenge!!

Lisa~~ said...

Very delicious looking and a great ICC entry.

If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my Improv Cooking Challenge recipe: Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies.

Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook

Pup Fan said...

These look fantastic!

Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground said...

I'm a fellow Improv Cooking Challenge participant stopping over ... I made these caramel apple cheesecake bars, too! They ARE absolutely to-die-for. It's nice to 'meet' you!
Tracey

Anonymous said...

Yum, these look so good! Great recipe!

Anonymous said...

This recipe sounds absolutely amazing! I definitely want to try to make it! Thanks so much for sharing it!!

Hope you have a great day!!

Lauren

http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/

Technology Innovation said...

Delicious! I definitely need to try some salted caramel peanut butter, It sounds amazing! I had the hardest time trying to decide what to make for this months challenge too!! Too many good things I got from your blog land.

C a m i l l e said...

These look amazing!