Creamy cheesecake, sweet apples, a buttery streusel topping, and a drizzle of caramel — these bars are the ultimate fall-inspired dessert!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect Fall Dessert — combines cheesecake, apples, streusel, and caramel in one bite

• Layers of Flavor — buttery crust, creamy filling, spiced apples, and crunchy topping

• Make-Ahead Friendly — chill overnight for the best texture and flavor

• Crowd-Pleasing Treat — ideal for holidays, parties, and potlucks

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Cheesecake Filling:

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened (two 8-oz packages)

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Apple Layer:

• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

For the Streusel Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ½ cup rolled oats

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For Drizzling:

• Caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 45 minutes
Chill Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 16 bars

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until combined. Press firmly into the prepared pan and bake for 8–10 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Filling

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and spread the mixture evenly over the crust.

Step 3: Add the Apple Layer

In a bowl, toss diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Sprinkle the apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer.

Step 4: Make the Streusel Topping

In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and oats. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture becomes crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apples.

Step 5: Bake and Chill

Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the streusel is golden brown and the cheesecake is set (the center may jiggle slightly).
Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Slice into squares and drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Best Apples: Use tart apples like Granny Smith for balance or Honeycrisp for extra sweetness.

• Extra Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel for texture.

• Homemade Caramel: Make your own caramel sauce for a richer, fresher flavor.

• Individual Servings: Bake in muffin tins for portable mini cheesecake cups.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

• Freezer: Freeze bars (without caramel) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and drizzle with caramel before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cheesecake bars ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, chilling them overnight enhances the flavor and texture.

Can I use a different crust instead of graham crackers?
Absolutely! A shortbread cookie or vanilla wafer crust works beautifully.

Can I skip the streusel topping?
Yes, but the streusel adds amazing crunch and sweetness, so I highly recommend keeping it.

What’s the best caramel sauce to use?
Store-bought caramel works fine, but homemade caramel will make these bars even more decadent.

Final Thoughts

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel are the perfect fall dessert — creamy, crunchy, and packed with warm apple-cinnamon flavor. Make them ahead, chill overnight, and serve them at your next holiday gathering for a guaranteed hit!