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There’s nothing quite like apple baking season! From our classic Homemade Apple Pie to our reader-favorite Apple Pie Crumble Bars, we always seem to find another reason to have apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar in the kitchen.

A while back, we shared our Apple Crumble Cheesecake, and it’s still one of our favorite desserts to make for fall gatherings. But as much as we love a beautiful, full-sized cheesecake, sometimes a pan of bars is just easier! Especially around the holidays, when there’s already SO much going on in the kitchen.

That’s what makes these little squares so wonderful. You can bake them the day before, let them chill overnight, and have dessert ready to go when you need it.

They’re easy to share, pretty enough for a holiday dessert table, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably sneak a square straight from the fridge before serving. 😉

Oh, and if you really want to go all out? A little drizzle of our Homemade Caramel Sauce is never a bad idea!

Let’s Talk About the Apples!

Choosing the right apples can make such a difference in baked desserts! We typically love using a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. The Granny Smith apples add a little tartness, while Honeycrisp brings a natural sweetness that works beautifully with the cheesecake.

But flavor isn’t the only thing to consider. You also want apples that will hold their shape during baking. Softer varieties can break down too much, especially when they’re tucked underneath a crumble topping.

One more thing! Try to keep the apple pieces relatively uniform in size. This helps them cook evenly, and you won’t end up with big chunks of apple when you’re trying to cut the cheesecake into bars.

Time To Make These Cheesecake Bars!

Don’t let all those layers fool you. There’s nothing particularly difficult about making these bars! Most of the work is just mixing a few ingredients together and assembling everything in the pan.

Start With the Graham Cracker Crust

We’re keeping things simple with our 3-Ingredient Graham Cracker Crust. No rolling out pie dough or fussing with pastry!

Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until everything is evenly moistened. Then press the mixture into your prepared baking pan.

Here’s something we’ve learned from making LOTS of graham cracker crusts over the years: how firmly you pack the crumbs really matters! We love using a tart tamper, but the bottom of a measuring cup works just as well. Make sure to get into those corners, too!

Next Up, the Cheesecake!

For the cheesecake, you’ll want to start with full-fat brick cream cheese that’s been brought to room temperature. Not the spreadable kind that comes in a tub!

Beat the cream cheese until it’s completely smooth before adding the remaining ingredients. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of your mixing bowl, too. Those little bits of unmixed cream cheese have a way of hiding!

Once everything is incorporated, there’s no need to keep mixing. Too much air in a cheesecake batter can cause it to puff up in the oven and then sink or crack as it cools.

Spread the finished cheesecake batter evenly over the crust. Bake for 30 minutes.

Time for the Apples and Crumble!

Now we’re getting to the good stuff! Spoon the prepared apple mixture over the cheesecake par-baked, spreading it out so there’s a little apple in every square. Then, finish with the crumble!

When making the topping, you want the mixture to form little buttery clumps rather than a fine, sandy texture. Those uneven pieces are what give the finished topping its wonderful crumbly texture.

Scatter the mixture over the apples, and bake for another 30 minutes.

The Hardest Part…Waiting!

As tempting as it might be to cut into the bars as soon as they’re out of the oven, cheesecake needs time to cool and set properly.

Let the bars cool before transferring them to the refrigerator. We prefer to leave them overnight so they’re completely chilled before slicing.

Once they’re ready, use the parchment paper to lift the entire cheesecake out of the pan and onto a cutting board.

Our favorite trick for perfectly clean slices? Use a large, sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. It takes an extra minute, but it makes such a difference when you’re working with creamy cheesecake!

When you make these Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

Happy baking!
x, Caylie

– Still Hungry? –

Here are a few recipes may like!

• 

  Apple Bourbon Coffee Cake

• 

  Apple Crumble Cheesecake

• 

  Cinnamon Apple Butter Puff Pastry Tarts