Ingredients:
🧈 For the Crust:
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1 cup unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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¼ tsp salt
🍰 For the Cheesecake Layer:
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2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
🍏 For the Apple Layer:
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2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
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2 tbsp granulated sugar
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½ tsp cinnamon
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¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
🍂 For the Streusel Topping:
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½ cup brown sugar
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½ cup all-purpose flour
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½ tsp cinnamon
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¼ cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
🍯 For the Topping:
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Caramel sauce, for drizzling (store-bought or homemade)
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the crust:
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In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light.
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Add flour and salt; mix until crumbly and combined.
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Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
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Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from oven.
3. Prepare cheesecake layer:
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Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
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Add eggs and vanilla, and mix until just combined.
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Pour over the warm crust and spread evenly.
4. Mix the apple layer:
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Toss chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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Sprinkle evenly over the cheesecake layer.
5. Make the streusel topping:
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Combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
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Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
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Sprinkle over apples.
6. Bake:
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Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden.
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Cool completely in the pan, then chill for at least 2 hours before cutting.
7. Serve:
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Slice into bars and drizzle with caramel sauce just before serving.
🧊 Storage:
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Store bars in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
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They can also be frozen (without caramel) for up to 2 months.