Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars

These Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars are everything you love about fall in one bite! A buttery graham cracker crust, creamy cinnamon cheesecake, cozy spiced apples, and a crumbly topping. Best part? No water bath needed, just a simple square pan and you’re good to go.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Chill time 6

Total Time 6 55

Equipment

1 8x8 square metal baking pan

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

▢ 1½ cups (170 g) graham crackers about 11 full sheets
▢ 2 tablespoon (24 g) brown sugar
▢ ½ teaspoon cinnamon
▢ 5 tablespoon (70 g) (85g) unsalted butter melted

Apples

▢ 2 cups apples pealed and diced, about 2-3 apples (see notes about apples)
▢ 2 tablespoon (28 g) unsalted butter
▢ ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar packed
▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
▢ ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
▢ ⅛ teaspoon allspice

Crumble Topping

▢ ½ cup (60 g) all purpose flour
▢ ½ cup (40 g) quick oats
▢ ⅓ cup (66 g) brown sugar packed
▢ ½ teaspoon cinnamon
▢ 4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter melted

Cheesecake

▢ 16 oz. cream cheese room temperature (see notes)
▢ ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar packed
▢ ¼ cup (65 g) sour cream room temperature
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 2 teaspoon all purpose flour optional (see notes)
▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
▢ 1 tsp cinnamon
▢ 3 large eggs room temperature

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust

Prep: Preheat the oven to 325℉ and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. To keep the parchment paper in place, I like to use binder clips.
Make the crust: Using a food processor, pulse the graham crackers until crushed, then mix in the sugar, then add the melted butter.
Alternate method: If you don't have a food processor, use a Ziploc bag and crush the cookies using a rolling pin.
1½ cups (170 g) graham crackers, 2 tbsp (24 g) brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, 5 tbsp (70 g) (85g) unsalted butter
Pour crushed graham crackers into the pan and press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. You can use a spoon, offset spatula, or flat measuring cup to create a smooth, flat bottom. Don't press too hard. Just until it's compact. Bake for 8 minutes. Once baked, remove and let cool.

Apples

In a pan over medium heat, add the butter and brown sugar. Once the butter and brown sugar are melted and combined, add the diced apples and spices and let cook until tender.
2 cups apples, 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter, ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp nutmeg, ⅛ tsp allspice

Crumble Topping

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, quick oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then add the melted butter. It should be pretty crumbly. Set aside.
½ cup (60 g) all purpose flour, ½ cup (40 g) quick oats, ⅓ cup (66 g) brown sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon, 4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter

Cheesecake

Make the cheesecake: In a large mixing bowl, add the room temperature cream cheese and sugars and beat together on medium speed until well combined, smooth, and creamy - about 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and sides.
16 oz. cream cheese, ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
Add the sour cream, and beat together until combined. Scrape down the bowl and add vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon and flour (optional) and mix until combined.
¼ cup (65 g) sour cream, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp all purpose flour, ¼ tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon
Lastly, and eggs and beat until combined. Don't over mix. Just until all the eggs are combined.
If you feel like you might over mix the eggs, you can crack the eggs in a separate bowl and whisk them, then add them to the batter and mix.
3 large eggs
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, then top with apples, and lastly, top with crumble topping.
Bake for 40-45 minutes. When done baking, the sides of the cheesecake will have puffed up and set. The middle of the cheesecake will have a slight jiggle. If it's still too wobbly, add another 5 minutes to the bake.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely, then place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Tips for cutting cheesecake: Warm your knife under warm water, then wipe it down. Slice into the cheesecake, and make sure to wipe the knife down between slices to get clean cuts. I like to run my knife under water before each cut (but make sure to wipe the knife dry before cutting).

Notes

About the apples: I have found success using honeycrisp, gala, or red delicious. If there is a specific apple variety that you enjoy using in baking and you think will work with cheesecake, you can use that.

Cream cheese: Make sure you're using brick-style block cream cheese. You'll need two blocks for this recipe.

Flour: Adding a spoonful of flour (or cornstarch) gives your cheesecake more structure and makes it less creamy. It helps absorb extra moisture, so the cheesecake holds together better and slices more cleanly. If you prefer a softer, silkier texture, you can skip it altogether.

Keyword apple crumble cheesecake, apple crumble cheesecake bars, cheesecake bars, crumble topping, fall dessert, graham cracker crust, spiced apples

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