Deliciously Delightful Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

recipe from: thegirlwhoateeverything.blogspot.com





Warning: making this recipe may cause tummy enlargement(and probably leg and butt and anything else that gets fat from too many sweets)! This recipe is oh so delicious but I don't think I even want to know how bad for you it is. Good thing I've taken the attitude that eating some makes me happy therefore putting me in a good mood therefore making the world a little bit better of a place.

This recipe makes a full 9x13 of cheesecake bars so sharing with friends is recommended :) Katrina and I ate basically the whole 9x13 ourselves we loved it so much. We shared a few pieces and devoured the rest for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert. So unless you want to feel as fat as we did that week, have friends over when you make it!

Ingredients:
Crust:
2 c flour
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 c(2sticks) softened butter

Cheesecake filling:
3 (8oz) pkgs cream cheese
3/4 c sugar, and 2 T separate
3 large eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla

Apples:
3 granny smith apples, peeled cored and finely chopped
1/2 t cinnamon
1/3 t nutmeg (optional we left it out)

Streusal topping:
1 c packed brown sugar
1 c flour
1/2 c(1stick) softened butter
1/2 quick cooking oats (optional really we forgot to get them so we left them out and it was still delicious!)

Now to put all this delicious stuff together. It seems like a lot but it is really pretty easy.

Preheat oven to 350. For crust: In a medium bowl, mix flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter(you can use a pastry blender or forks, or get down and dirty and use your fingers that's my favorite technique). Mix until crumbly, then press into a 9x13 baking pan that is lined with heavy duty aluminum foil. Bake for 15min or until lightly browned.

For cheesecake: In a large beat the cream cheese with the 3/4 c sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Pour mixture over warm crust.

For apples: Grab your small bowl and mix stir the chopped apples up with the 2 T spoons of sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg until they are coated. Spoon the apples evenly over the cream cheese mixture.

For the streusal topping: combine all the ingredients and once again get your hands in there until the mixture is crumbly. Then spread the topping evenly over the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the filling is set (so it doesn't jiggle TOO much). Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool in the fridge.





And of course...Enjoy!