Description
A delightful fusion of classic apple pie and creamy cheesecake, these bars offer all the comforting flavors in an easy-to-eat format. Perfect for holidays or any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10–12 full sheets)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- For the Apple Filling:
- 3 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and ¼ cup granulated sugar. Pour in the melted butter and stir until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until evenly coated.
- Make the Cheesecake Layer: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Assemble the Bars: Spoon the cheesecake mixture evenly over the baked crust. Gently spread the apple filling over the cheesecake layer.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly.
- Cool & Chill: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours (or preferably overnight) to allow the cheesecake to set.
- Serve: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For a richer crust, you can add a pinch of salt to the graham cracker mixture.
- Feel free to add a tablespoon of chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for added texture.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
- Prep Time: PT25M
- Cook Time: PT40M
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg