For the Base *alternative option at the bottom of ingredients
1cupsflour
3tablespoonsugar
1tablespoonblackstrap molassesoption to use maple syrup
5tablespoonunsalted butter
2tablespoonolive oil
For the Cheesecake Filling
1 ¼cupscream cheese
¼cupsfull fat plain Greek yogurt
¼cupswhite sugar
2largeeggs
1 ½teaspoonvanilla extract
1pinchsea salt
1tablespoonflour
For the Apple Filling
4cupsdiced or sliced peeled apples3-4 medium apples. *see notes
1tablespoonsugar
½teaspoonground cinnamon
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
For the Streusel Topping
¼cups+ 3 tablespoon sugar
½tablespoonmaple syrup
½cupsflour
¼cupsrolled oats
1teaspoonground cinnamon
¼cupsunsalted butter
*Alternative Option for Base
1cupflour
3tablespoonsugar
1tablespoonmaple syrup
6tablespoonunsalted butter
1tablespoonolive oil
Instructions
Make the Base
Preheat oven to 350℉. Either Line a 9"x7" or 8"x8" baking pan with parchment paper or spray with olive oil.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the ingredients for the base: flour, sugar, maple syrup, butter, oil. Press mixture into pan. Bake 15-18 minutes until it's light golden brown If you lightly touch the top it should be slightly firm and not wet at all once baked. Set aside and leave oven on.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling
While the crust is baking, in a medium-sized bowl combine the cream cheese and sugar. Add the egg, vanilla, salt, and flour and combine well until smooth (use a stand mixer, hand mixer, fork, or whisk). Set aside.If you're doing this part by hand use a potato masher to blend the chunks!
Make the Apple Filling
Slice and chop the apples into ½" or smaller pieces. Add apples to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix together. Set aside.
Make the Streusel
Re-use bowl you used to make the base (or get another medium bowl) and add in sugar, maple syrup, flour, rolled oats, cinnamon, and butter. Combine all ingredients with your fingers or a fork. Set aside.
Layering the Bars
Pour cheesecake mixture onto baked base. Pour apples over cheesecake mixture spreading them out evenly. Using your fingers, crumble the streusel topping over the top. Bake at 350℉ for 35-40 minutes or until the cheesecake is set. Let the bars cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours to harden and set.
Serving
Once cooled, remove bars from pan using parchment paper to pull them out. Set on a cutting surface and slice into 12 even-size bars. There are no rules, you cut them as big as you want! Enjoy!
Notes
*I prefer Granny Smith. I've used Fuji and Jazz with great success too. A blend of apples always works well.*Alternative Option for Base: For softer, more of a shortbread crust1 c. flour3 tbsp. sugar1 tbsp. maple syrup6 tbsp. unsalted butter1 tbsp. olive oil
Keyword apple bars, apple cheesecake, cheesecake recipes