Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Photo courtesy of Sugar andSpice

I originally found this recipe on Pinterest and knew I had to make them right away.  The recipe and photo is from another great blog, Sugar and Spice.   So, off to the store I went for ingredients.  I made these yesterday and they are simply delicious!  They do take some time to prepare, but they are absolutely worth it!  My boys enjoyed helping me make them, especially unwrapping (and sampling) the caramels!  WARNING:  These are very rich, but with a stick of butter and two packages of cream cheese, how can they not be divine!!!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars 

Ingredients:

Crust & Streusel:

1 package Oatmeal Cookie mix (I used Betty Crocker)

1/2 cup butter, cold (1 stick)

1/4 cup chopped pecans

Cheesecake Filling:

2 packages cream cheese (8 oz each), softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbsp flour

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

Apples:

3 Gala apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp sugar

Caramel Sauce:

15-20 caramel candies, unwrapped

2 tbsp milk

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil.
• Place cookie mix in large bowl. With a fork, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly and coarse. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over crust.  
• In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cookie crumb topping. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
• Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool about 30 minutes. Refrigerate to chill, about 2 hours. 
• Add unwrapped caramel candies with milk and salt in a microwaveable bowl. Cook on high, 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir occasionally until caramel is melted and smooth. 
• Cut into bars and serve each with drizzled caramel sauce.  

Recipe obtained from Pinterest via Sugarand Spice