Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars With Streusel Topping

                      Recipe and photo by Paula Deen

Ingredients

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup caramel topping
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed and divided
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 3 sticks butter, softened and divided

 

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

 

In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cut in 2 sticks butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13-by-9-by-2 inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

 

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

 

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.

 

Streusel Topping

 

In a small bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup oats and 1 stick softened butter.