Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars...Yes Please!

This weekend some of Will's extended family were in town and I was put on dessert duty for lunch.  Will's aunt is a baking genius and my sister-in-law (who was also on dessert duty), is right behind her.  So, I thought I should step it up a little and stray away from my go-to chocolate cake-mix, 4-step cookies (which are actually delicious).  Pinterest finally pulled through for me, which was well overdue since I experienced a couple major flops in the classroom, and the dessert turned out like the picture! Woo!  I did feel like I was cutting up apples for 5 years, but it is a fairly simple recipe and scrumptious.  Also, it is good for the masses since it makes a giant pan and is perfect for welcoming in the Fall.  Bon Appetite!
                                 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Source: adapted from Paula Deen

Ingredients:

Crust:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 

Cheesecake Filling:

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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

1/2 cup caramel topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 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.

For the streusel topping: 
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture.

Sprinkle Streusel topping over apples. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy! Make 16 servings.

Taken from: http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/09/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars.html