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These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are the easiest way to get all the cozy flavor of caramel apple cheesecake without fussing over a springform pan. A buttery golden cookie crust, creamy spiced apple cheesecake, and a caramel drizzle make them every bit as irresistible as our golden Oreo cheesecake bars.
Made mostly in a food processor with apple pie filling as a shortcut, they come together fast and disappear even faster.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 40 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 50 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 9 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 358kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Creamy, sweet, and cozy with spiced apple, brown sugar, and caramel
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, on par with our dulce de leche cheesecake bars
Quick Answer
Press a golden Oreo crumb crust into a lined 9×9 pan. Blend cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and egg with pureed apple pie filling, then pour it over the crust. Dollop chopped spiced apples on top, bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, chill until set, then cut and drizzle with caramel for the easiest Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars.
Jump to:
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars FAQs
- Other Recommended Cheesecake Recipes
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- The food processor does the work. Crust, apples, and filling all come together in one bowl with no need to wash it between steps.
- Apple pie filling is a smart shortcut. It brings tender, perfectly spiced apples to the bars with no peeling or chopping.
- Golden Oreos make an easy crust. Crushed cookies and butter press into a sweet, buttery base that beats fussing with graham crumbs.
- Bars are easier than a whole cheesecake. No springform pan or water bath needed, just an easy 9×9 pan and clean squares.
- Caramel ties it together. A generous drizzle of caramel over the chilled bars makes them taste like a true caramel apple treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They deliver full caramel apple cheesecake flavor in an easy, sliceable bar, perfect next to our pumpkin cheesecake on a fall dessert table.
- The food processor method means almost no cleanup and a creamy, foolproof filling.
- They are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for fall gatherings, potlucks, and the holidays.
Key Ingredients
A short list of easy ingredients layers up into these decadent bars. Here is what each one does.
- Golden Oreos: Crushed with butter, they make a sweet, buttery golden cookie crust with way less work than a graham crust.
- Apple Pie Filling: A shortcut that brings tender, cinnamon-spiced apples to the cheesecake, both blended in and dolloped on top.
- Cream Cheese and Sour Cream: The base of a rich, tangy, ultra-creamy cheesecake layer.
- Brown Sugar, Vanilla, and Cinnamon: Warm, cozy flavors that make these taste like fall in every bite.
- Caramel Sauce: A generous drizzle on top ties the whole caramel apple flavor together.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are easy to make your own. Here are a few favorite twists.
- Swap the golden Oreos for graham crackers, Biscoff cookies, or vanilla wafers.
- Use cherry or peach pie filling for a different fruity cheesecake bar.
- Sprinkle the tops with chopped pecans, a streusel, or a pinch of flaky salt over the caramel.
- Make your own caramel with our cinnamon buttermilk caramel sauce for an extra special drizzle.
How to Make Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Process the golden Oreos into crumbs, pulse in the melted butter until coated, then press the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 9×9 pan and set aside.
- Roughly chop half the apple pie filling and set it aside, then puree the rest smooth. In the food processor, pulse the cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and egg until smooth, blend in the pureed apple, and pour over the crust.
- Dollop the reserved chopped apples over the top and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the center has a very slight jiggle. Cool, then chill at least 3 hours to set, cut into 9 bars, and drizzle with caramel sauce to serve.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Line your pan. Parchment or foil with an overhang lets you lift the whole slab out for clean, easy cutting.
- Do not overbake. Pull the bars when the center still has a slight jiggle, since they set as they chill.
- Chill fully. At least 3 hours in the fridge is key for clean slices and the best creamy texture.
- Room temperature cream cheese. Softened cream cheese blends smooth without lumps.
- Wipe the knife. Cleaning the blade between cuts gives you sharp, bakery-style bars.
- Add caramel last. Drizzle the caramel just before serving so the tops stay pretty.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
These Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars are rich enough to serve on their own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes them extra special.
Add them to a fall dessert spread next to our pumpkin cheesecake and caramel apple butter cake so guests can sample a few cozy flavors.
They keep well in the fridge for days, so make them ahead for parties or slice and freeze for an easy treat anytime.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars FAQs
Yes. Because they are cheesecake, store them covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let them chill at least 3 hours after baking so they set up enough to slice cleanly.
Absolutely. They are a great make-ahead dessert. Bake and chill them up to two days in advance, then add the caramel drizzle just before serving so the tops look fresh.
Yes. Freeze the cut, undrizzled bars in a single layer, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and add caramel before serving.
You can. Cook peeled, diced apples with a little butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until tender, then use them in place of the canned filling. The pie filling is just a fast, reliable shortcut.
Cracks usually come from overbaking or cooling too fast. Pull the bars while the center still jiggles slightly and let them cool gradually on the counter before chilling. A caramel drizzle also hides any small cracks beautifully.
Graham crackers, vanilla wafers, Biscoff cookies, or shortbread all make a great crust. Use about the same amount of crumbs with the melted butter and press firmly into the pan.
Love this caramel apple combo? Try our caramel apple butter cake for another cozy, crowd-pleasing fall dessert.
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- 20 Golden Oreos
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 10 ounces apple pie filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees. Place the golden Oreos in a food processor, process into crumbs. Add the melted butter and process until combined. Stir the cookie crumbs around to make sure they are coated in the butter. Press the mixture into a 9×9 baking dish that is lined with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.20 Golden Oreos
- In the same food processor, (no need to clean!) place the apple pie filling. Pulse to a rough chop the apples a few times. Take out half of the filling and place it in a small bowl, set aside. Pulse the remaining apple pie filling until it is smooth, place in another small bowl and set aside.20 Golden Oreos
- Into the food processor (once again, no need to clean!), add the cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and the egg. Pulse until smooth. Add the smooth apple filling and then pulse until combined. Pour mixture on top of the crust and smooth it out evenly.20 Golden Oreos
- Dollop the roughly chopped apples on top of the cheesecake mixture. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until there is a very slight jiggle in the center of the cheesecake. Take the pan out of the oven and let sit on the counter, let cool for 20 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least three hours to set.20 Golden Oreos
- Cut into 9 even bars, serve with caramel sauce of your choice. I recommend making my Cinnamon Buttermilk Caramel Sauce!20 Golden Oreos
Notes
- This is all made in a food processor there is not need to dirty any other dishes, win!
- Make sure that your cream cheese is smooth so you don’t have any lumps.
- It is important to let your cheesecake cool on the counter before placing in the refrigerator, this helps it from cracking.
- These can be frozen see my tips above.
- Remove from the oven when the center is still just slightly jiggly.
Nutrition
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