Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars
These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars are the most incredible fall dessert mashup — a golden and buttery Biscoff cookie crust is layered with a rich and creamy vanilla bean cheesecake filling and a warm and gooey apple pie filling that is packed with cozy fall spices and perfectly tart and juicy apples. Finished with a golden crumble topping that adds the most satisfying crunch and a drizzle of the easiest salted caramel that ties all the warm fall flavors together beautifully — these bars are the ultimate cozy fall treat that everyone will absolutely love!
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Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Biscoff Cookies: The base of the golden and buttery Biscoff cookie crust that adds a warm, caramelized, and slightly spiced flavor to the bottom of every single bar — crushed into fine crumbs and mixed with melted butter for that perfectly crunchy and buttery crust that pairs absolutely beautifully with every single layer throughout. Graham crackers work as a substitute.
Salted Butter: Used in multiple components throughout — melted into the Biscoff cookie crust to bind the crumbs together into a perfectly golden and crunchy base, melted into the apple pie filling for a rich, buttery depth of flavor that enhances the warm spiced apple flavors, and softened into the crumble topping for a rich, buttery, and perfectly crumbly golden finish on top of every single bar.
Apples: The star of the warm and gooey apple pie filling — Granny Smith apples are recommended for their perfectly tart and bright apple flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with the warm fall spices and rich vanilla bean cheesecake filling. Diced and cooked down into the most perfectly sweet, tart, and jammy filling that layers beautifully on top of the cheesecake filling throughout.
Brown Sugar: Used in both the apple pie filling and the crumble topping for a deep, molasses-like sweetness that enhances the warm apple and cinnamon flavors and helps the crumble topping caramelize into a beautifully golden and crunchy finish on top of every single bar throughout.
Maple Syrup: Added to the apple pie filling for a natural, caramel-like sweetness and a warm depth of flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with the bright tart apple flavor and warm fall spices — also used as the base of the easy salted caramel for a smooth, natural, and perfectly pourable finishing drizzle throughout.
Cinnamon: Used in both the apple pie filling and the crumble topping for a warm, cozy spice that gives every single bar that classic fall apple crumble flavor that is warm, comforting, and absolutely irresistible throughout.
Apple Pie Spice: Optional but strongly recommended — adds extra warmth with nutmeg, ginger, and cloves for a classic autumn apple pie flavor that enhances the warm spiced apple filling and makes every single bite even more cozy and irresistible throughout.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the warm fall and rich cheesecake flavors throughout the apple pie filling, vanilla bean cheesecake filling, and easy salted caramel.
Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, tart citrus flavor to the apple pie filling that balances the sweetness of the apples and makes the warm, gooey filling truly shine on top of the vanilla bean cheesecake filling throughout.
Cornstarch: Whisked together with water to create a slurry that thickens the apple pie filling into a perfectly gooey and jammy consistency that layers beautifully on top of the cheesecake filling without running throughout.
Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Adds a warm, sweet, and aromatic flavor that enhances the apple pie filling and the rich and creamy vanilla bean cheesecake filling throughout every single bite of these cheesecake bars.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the golden crumble topping that provides structure while creating that perfectly crumbly and golden texture that adds the most satisfying crunch on top of every single bar throughout.
Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Added to the crumble topping for a hearty, chewy texture and a satisfying crunch that pairs beautifully with the warm spiced apple pie filling and rich vanilla bean cheesecake filling throughout every single bar.
Cream Cheese: The base of the rich and creamy vanilla bean cheesecake filling — make sure it is fully at room temperature before beating for the smoothest, most lump-free filling that bakes up perfectly creamy and beautifully set throughout every single bar.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the vanilla bean cheesecake filling to a perfectly balanced and indulgent finish that pairs beautifully with the warm spiced apple pie filling and buttery Biscoff cookie crust throughout.
Eggs: Provide structure, richness, and stability to the vanilla bean cheesecake filling while helping it set beautifully during baking for a perfectly creamy and smooth result throughout every single bar.
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Adds a subtle tang and extra creaminess to the vanilla bean cheesecake filling that balances the richness of the cream cheese and creates the most perfectly smooth and silky texture throughout every single bar.
Almond Butter: Combined with the maple syrup and oil to create a smooth, creamy, and naturally sweetened easy salted caramel that drizzles beautifully over the top of every single chilled cheesecake bar for the most indulgent and perfectly balanced finishing touch throughout.
Avocado Oil or Coconut Oil: Whisked into the easy salted caramel for a smooth, silky, and perfectly pourable consistency that drizzles beautifully over the top of the chilled cheesecake bars right before serving throughout.
Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars:
Buttery Biscoff Cookie Crust: The golden and buttery Biscoff cookie crust adds the most satisfying crunch and that warm, caramelized, and slightly spiced Biscoff flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with every single layer of these cheesecake bars throughout every single bite.
Rich And Creamy Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Filling: The rich, creamy, and perfectly tangy vanilla bean cheesecake filling is smooth, luscious, and absolutely irresistible — it pairs absolutely beautifully with the warm gooey apple pie filling and buttery Biscoff cookie crust throughout every single bar.
Warm And Gooey Apple Pie Filling: A warm and gooey apple pie filling packed with cozy fall spices and perfectly tart and juicy apples is layered right on top of the cheesecake filling for the most comforting and deeply satisfying burst of fall apple flavor in every single bite throughout.
Golden Crumble Topping: The golden crumble topping adds the most satisfying crunch and a rich, buttery texture contrast that takes every single cheesecake bar completely over the top and makes every bite truly irresistible from top to bottom throughout.
Easy Salted Caramel Drizzle: The easiest salted caramel drizzled over the top adds a rich, buttery, and perfectly salty finishing touch that ties all the warm fall flavors together beautifully and makes every single bite completely and utterly irresistible throughout.
The Ultimate Fall Dessert Mashup: These bars are the most incredible mashup of three classic fall favorites — buttery Biscoff crust, creamy cheesecake, and warm apple crumble — all coming together in the most perfectly layered and absolutely irresistible bar form throughout.
Easy To Make And Share: These bars are simple to slice and serve, making them the perfect make-ahead dessert for fall gatherings, parties, or any time you want to impress a crowd with minimal effort throughout.
Perfect For Any Occasion: Whether it is a fall gathering, a Thanksgiving dessert, a holiday celebration, or any time an apple crumble cheesecake craving hits, these salted caramel apple crumble cheesecake bars are always the ultimate showstopper on the dessert table.
Tips for Making Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars:
Make The Apple Pie Filling First: Start with the apple pie filling so it has plenty of time to cool completely before adding it to the cheesecake — warm apple filling will affect the texture of the cheesecake filling and prevent it from setting properly throughout.
Use Granny Smith Apples For The Best Flavor: Granny Smith apples are strongly recommended for their perfectly tart and bright apple flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with the warm fall spices and rich vanilla bean cheesecake filling — they also hold their shape beautifully during cooking without becoming too mushy throughout.
Steam The Apples For Faster Softening: Cover the pan with a lid for a few minutes while cooking the apple pie filling to help steam the apples and speed up the softening process — this ensures the apples are perfectly tender, warm, and gooey throughout every single bar.
Cool The Apple Filling Completely: Transfer the apple filling to a separate bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent a film from forming, and place it in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process — it must be completely cooled before adding it to the cheesecake filling throughout.
Use Biscoff Cookies For The Best Crust: Biscoff cookies are strongly recommended for their warm, caramelized, and slightly spiced flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with every single layer of these cheesecake bars — graham crackers work as a substitute but Biscoff gives the most incredible result throughout.
Pre-Bake The Biscoff Cookie Crust: Bake the Biscoff cookie crust at 350F for 8–10 minutes before adding the cheesecake filling — pre-baking sets the crust and ensures it stays perfectly firm and crunchy beneath the rich and creamy cheesecake filling throughout.
Let The Crust Cool Completely Before Filling: Allow the pre-baked Biscoff cookie crust to cool completely before pouring the cheesecake filling on top — adding the filling to a warm crust can affect the texture of the cheesecake throughout.
Prepare The Crumble Topping Before Making The Cheesecake Filling: Make the crumble topping before mixing the cheesecake filling so it is ready to sprinkle right after assembly — having it prepared ahead of time makes the whole process much smoother and more efficient throughout.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is fully at room temperature before beating — cold cream cheese will result in a lumpy filling that is difficult to smooth out and will affect the final creamy texture of the cheesecake throughout.
Beat The Cream Cheese Until Completely Smooth: Beat the cream cheese until completely smooth and lump-free before adding any other ingredients — this is the key to a perfectly smooth, creamy, and luscious cheesecake filling throughout every single bar.
Add The Eggs One At A Time: Add the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next — switching to whisking by hand when adding the eggs prevents overmixing the batter which can cause the cheesecake to crack throughout.
Do Not Overmix The Cheesecake Batter: Be careful not to overmix the cheesecake batter especially after adding the eggs — overmixing incorporates too much air into the batter which can cause the cheesecake to crack and puff up during baking throughout.
Layer The Apple Filling On Top Without Swirling: Gently top the cheesecake filling with all of the apple pie filling and disperse it evenly without swirling or mixing — keeping the layers distinct is what creates those beautiful separate layers in every single slice throughout.
Sprinkle The Crumble Topping On Last: Finish by sprinkling the crumble topping all over the top of the apple filling right before baking — adding it last ensures the most even coverage and the most beautifully golden and crunchy crumble topping throughout.
Use A Water Bath For The Best Result: Set the loaf pan in a larger baking pan filled with boiling water that reaches halfway up the sides — the steam from the water bath creates a gentle and even baking environment that prevents the cheesecake from cracking and results in the most perfectly smooth and creamy texture throughout.
Alternatively Create A Steamy Oven Environment: If you prefer not to use a full water bath, place a large pan of boiling water on the lowest rack of your oven to create a steamy environment for the cheesecake to bake in — this is a great alternative that still helps prevent cracking throughout.
Bake At Two Different Temperatures: Baking the cheesecake at 325F for the first 30 minutes and then reducing to 250F for the remaining baking time ensures the cheesecake bakes gently and evenly without over-browning the crumble topping or cracking the cheesecake filling throughout.
Look For A Slight Wobble: The cheesecake is done when the edges are set and the middle still has a very slight wobble when gently shaken — it will continue to set as it cools so do not overbake for the best creamy and smooth texture throughout.
Cool Slowly In The Oven After Baking: Once the cheesecake is done baking turn off the oven and crack the oven door — allowing the cheesecake to sit in the warm oven for 30 minutes before removing helps prevent cracking from a sudden temperature change throughout.
Cool At Room Temperature Before Refrigerating: Allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature for 2 hours before covering and refrigerating — cooling too quickly can cause the cheesecake to crack and affect the final smooth and creamy texture throughout.
Refrigerate Overnight For The Best Results: While a minimum of 4 hours is required, refrigerating overnight gives the best texture, the cleanest slices, and the most perfectly set and creamy cheesecake bars that slice beautifully every single time throughout.
Make The Easy Salted Caramel Right Before Serving: Prepare the easy salted caramel right before serving so it is perfectly smooth and ready to drizzle over the top of the chilled cheesecake bars — adjust the runniness by adding more maple syrup as needed throughout.
How to Store Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars:
Best Served Fresh: These salted caramel apple crumble cheesecake bars are at their absolute best served fresh the day the salted caramel is drizzled over the top — the Biscoff cookie crust is perfectly golden and crunchy, the cheesecake filling is rich and creamy, and the crumble topping is at its most golden and crisp throughout.
Make Ahead: These cheesecake bars are a wonderful make-ahead dessert — bake the bars the night before, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate overnight. Drizzle with the easy salted caramel right before serving for the best presentation and texture throughout.
Refrigerator: Store leftover cheesecake bars covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The Biscoff cookie crust and crumble topping will soften slightly as they sit but the bars will still be incredibly delicious and creamy throughout.
Make Ahead (Apple Pie Filling): The apple pie filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator — this is a great way to save time the day of assembling and baking the cheesecake bars throughout.
Make Ahead (Crumble Topping): The crumble topping can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use — this is a great way to save time and make the assembly process quicker and more efficient throughout.
Make Ahead (Easy Salted Caramel): The easy salted caramel can be made in advance and stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature or warm slightly before drizzling over the chilled cheesecake bars right before serving throughout.
Freezer: Freeze individual cheesecake bars without the salted caramel drizzle in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and drizzle with a fresh batch of easy salted caramel before serving for the best result throughout.
To Serve From Cold: Let refrigerated cheesecake bars sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best creamy texture and most delicious flavor throughout every single bite.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make these salted caramel apple crumble cheesecake bars ahead of time?
A: Yes. These cheesecake bars are a wonderful make-ahead dessert — bake the bars the night before, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate overnight. Drizzle with the easy salted caramel right before serving for the best presentation and texture throughout.
Q: Can I make the apple pie filling ahead of time?
A: Yes. The apple pie filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. This is a great way to save time the day of assembling and baking the cheesecake bars throughout.
Q: Can I use a different type of apple instead of Granny Smith?
A: Yes. Any apple of choice works beautifully in this recipe — Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn all work well and pair beautifully with the warm fall spices and rich vanilla bean cheesecake filling. Granny Smith apples are recommended for their perfectly tart and bright apple flavor that pairs absolutely beautifully with every single layer throughout.
Q: Can I use graham crackers instead of Biscoff cookies for the crust?
A: Yes. Graham crackers work beautifully as a substitute for the Biscoff cookies in the crust. Keep in mind that the warm, caramelized, and slightly spiced flavor of the Biscoff cookies is what gives these cheesecake bars that extra special depth so it is recommended to use them if possible throughout.
Q: Can I double the recipe to make a full-size cheesecake?
A: Yes. Simply double all of the ingredients and bake in a greased 9" springform or cheesecake pan lined with a parchment paper circle. Pre-bake the doubled Biscoff cookie crust at 350F for 10–12 minutes before adding the cheesecake filling. Bake the full-size cheesecake at 325F for 30 minutes then reduce to 250F and bake for another 60–80 minutes until the edges are set and the middle still has a very slight wobble. Cool slowly in the oven with the door cracked for 30 minutes before cooling at room temperature and refrigerating overnight for the best result throughout.
Q: Why do I need to use a water bath?
A: The water bath creates a gentle and even baking environment that prevents the cheesecake from cracking and results in the most perfectly smooth, creamy, and luscious cheesecake filling throughout. If you prefer not to use a full water bath, placing a large pan of boiling water on the lowest rack of your oven creates a similar steamy environment throughout.
Q: Why do I bake the cheesecake at two different temperatures?
A: Baking the cheesecake at 325F for the first 30 minutes and then reducing to 250F for the remaining baking time ensures the cheesecake bakes gently and evenly without over-browning the crumble topping or cracking the cheesecake filling throughout.
Q: Why do I need to cool the cheesecake slowly in the oven after baking?
A: Allowing the cheesecake to sit in the warm oven with the door cracked for 30 minutes after baking prevents cracking from a sudden temperature change — this slow cooling process is one of the most important steps for a perfectly smooth and crack-free cheesecake throughout.
Q: How do I know when the cheesecake bars are done baking?
A: The cheesecake bars are done when the edges are set and the middle still has a very slight wobble when gently shaken — they will continue to set as they cool so do not overbake for the best creamy and smooth texture throughout.
Q: Why do I not swirl or mix the apple filling into the cheesecake filling?
A: Keeping the apple pie filling and cheesecake filling as distinct separate layers is what creates those beautiful and clearly defined layers in every single slice — swirling or mixing would affect the presentation and the distinct flavor of each layer throughout.
Q: Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of the easy homemade salted caramel?
A: Yes. Store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly as a substitute for the easy homemade salted caramel if you are short on time — just make sure to add a generous pinch of flaky sea salt on top for that perfect sweet and salty balance that ties all the warm fall flavors together throughout.
Q: Can I freeze these cheesecake bars?
A: Yes. Freeze individual cheesecake bars without the salted caramel drizzle in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and drizzle with a fresh batch of easy salted caramel before serving for the best result throughout.
Love these? Check out my other cheesecake recipes:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these salted caramel apple crumble cheesecake bars. Happy baking!
