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.

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!