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SPICED APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS

Creamy spiced apple cheesecake made with a buttery graham cracker crust topped with homemade caramel sauce. Decadent fall desert perfect for sharing with family &
friends this Thanksgiving.


Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time2 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 6
Author: the communal feast

Ingredients

  • For the crust:
  • 1 box graham crackers
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • To make the spiced apples:
  • 2 honeycrisp apples peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Cheesecake filling:
  • 3 packages of cream cheese softened
  • 3 eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ginger

Instructions

  • 1. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray.
  • 2. Turn the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • 3. To make the crust, add graham crackers to a food processor and pulse until fine. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl and mix in granulated sugar and melted butter. Mix until everything is combined.
  • 4. Add the graham cracker mixture to the baking pan and press down forming a crust. I
    like to the bottom of a measuring cup to firmly pack down the graham crackers and form edges.
  • 5. Bake the crust for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool
  • 6. To make the spiced apples: Sautee the cubed apples in butter and spices. Cook until the apples and butter start to brown about 5-8 minutes.
  • 7. Layer a small amount of spiced apples over the graham crust and set aside.
  • 8. To make the filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat on high for 3 minutes and smooth and fluffy. Next Beat one egg at a time (careful not to overmix). Add the heavy cream, vanilla and spices. Beat until smooth but do not overmix.
  • 9. Spread the mixture evenly over the spiced apples layer. Place the pan into a larger baking dish for the water bath. Boil water and add the hot water to about half way into the larger baking dish.
  • 10. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 250 and bake for 110 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 1 hour and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
  • 11. Top with remaining spiced apple mixture, cinnamon, extra graham crackers and homemade caramel sauce.