Carmel Apple CHeesecake Bars with Streusel Topping

Oh my gosh!  I just pulled this out of the oven and I am practically drooling all over!  This was super simple, easy and cheap to make!  I had to purchase very few ingredients and I am so very impressed with the results.  Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping

Ingredients

·         2 cups all-purpose flour

·         1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

·         1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

·         2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

·         1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided

·         2 large eggs

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

·         1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

·         Streusel topping, recipe follows

·         1/2 cup caramel topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in 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:

·         1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

·         1 cup all-purpose flour

·         1/2 cup quick cooking oats

·         1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

Yield: approximately 3 cups