Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed (don't pack it in) (for the crust/crumble)
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed (for the crust/crumble)
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for the crust/crumble)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for the crust/crumble)
• 1/4 tsp salt (for the crust/crumble)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder (for the crust/crumble)
• 10 Tbsp (140g) melted unsalted butter (slightly cooled) (for the crust/crumble)
• 1 egg yolk (for the crust/crumble)
• 2 cups diced apples (~2 apples) (for the spiced apples)
• 2 tbsp (25g) brown sugar (for the spiced apples)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for the spiced apples)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg (for the spiced apples)
• 16 oz (454g) cream cheese, softened (for the cheesecake filling)
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (for the cheesecake filling)
• 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream, room temp (for the cheesecake filling)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for the cheesecake filling)
• 1 large egg, room temp (for the cheesecake filling)
• + caramel sauce to drizzle on top (for the cheesecake filling)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. For the crust/crumble, mix flour, both sugars, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Whisk melted butter (cooled) and egg yolk together, add to the dry ingredients, and toss with a fork until crumbly.
4. Press around half of this mixture into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until just set and lightly golden.
6. Let it cool.
7. Combine the diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
8. Set aside while you make the cheesecake filling.
9. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in sour cream and vanilla.
10. Add egg and mix on low speed or by hand until just combined.
11. Spread this evenly over the cooled crust.
12. Spoon the spiced apples on top.
13. Sprinkle the remaining crumble topping all over.
14. Reduce the oven temp to 325°F and bake for 35-45 min. The center should be slightly jiggly but not liquidy.
15. Let it cool at room temp for at least 30 minutes, then chill for at least 3 hours.
16. Drizzle with caramel sauce.