Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar,
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 jar Caramel Topping (for topping after baking)


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Crust: Line a 9x13 baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil, set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into baking pan lined with heavy-duty foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Streusel: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to use my hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture, set aside

Cheesecake: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, once eggs are mixed in add vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

Apple topping: In a small bowl, toss together chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.

Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Remove from oven, drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy!