CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS

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 Drizzle: 1/2 cup caramel topping for drizzling after baked

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.

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.