Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
• 2 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Streusel Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/3 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1/3 cup hot caramel ice cream topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a well-greased 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed until just combined. Spread over the crust.
4. In a small bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining sugar; spoon over cream cheese layer.
5. In another bowl, mix flour, brown sugar and oats; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple layer.
6. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until filling is set.
7. Drizzle with caramel topping; cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Cut into bars.