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These Apple Cheesecake Bars are so good this time of year! Like an apple pie…but with cheesecake!
Since when are squats the new black? I mean, jeez. It used to be you could go to the gym, run a little, maybe do some bicep curls, and be done. Now?
Now you gotta do squats. Lots of them. With kettle balls. Have you ever seen a kettle ball? They’re labeled in kg so when the ball looks small, it really isn’t. I just thought I’d warn you so you don’t to go up to the rack thinking “oh this thing is light, I’ll pick up the bigger one” and then your arms pulls out of its socket. {Not that that happened to me or anything…}
And it doesn’t end there, oh no.
Did you know you’re supposed to hold the kettle ball out in front of you perpendicular to the ground while you do squats? Or, swing it between your legs? It’s like Go Go Gadget arms!
And in classes, it’s even worse. Squats, lunges, one legged squats, weights over head on one legged squats. These ladies must either have iron glutes, or they have permament grab bars in their bathrooms. Just sayin’!
So, in honor of my tons and tons of squats, and because I can’t sit down on my own, I made you Apple Cheesecake Bars.
I know, like with squats, there are 5,432 versions of these bars floating out there on the internet. But these are different, I promise.
Because of the crust. It’s always the crust!
The crust on these bars is a combo of Nilla Wafers and Graham Crackers. It gives the bars so much depth! Then it’s topped with an amazing cheesecake mixture (do you use sour cream in your cheesecakes? I almost always do, I think it gives such a creamy, delicious texture!) and apples with cinnamon and sugar.
And there’s crumble.
Lots of crumble.
Oh, crumble. It’s worth 3,245 squats with kettle balls, don’t you think?
You know what would be a great way to serve these bars? Topped with caramel sauce. Salted caramel would be even better. But, uh, I forgot in the photos.
They were good even without the caramel.
Apple + Cheesecake + Crust = my favorite Fall dessert! (Well, in addition to these. And these. And this.)
Do some squats, then make these to reward yourself. If you use a kettle ball, you can have 5. Right?
Apple Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 12 Graham Cracker Sheets
- 50 Nilla Wafer Cookies
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 12 tablespoons butter melted
For the Cheesecake
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Topping:
- 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/2 cup butter softened
Instructions
- Line a 9x13” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Make the Crust: Pulse graham crackers and Nilla Wafer cookies in a food processor until they are fine crumbs. Place in a bowl and stir in cinnamon and melted butter. Press into prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes, while preparing filling.
- Beat cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla with a hand held or stand mixer. Place apples in a small bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon.
- Make the topping by mixing all topping ingredients in a medium bowl with a hand mixer.
- Pour cream cheese mixture over hot crust. Sprinkle with apples. Sprinkle evenly with topping. Bake for 40-45 minutes (mine took 43). Cool to room temperature and then chill for at least 3 hours before cutting.
Recipe Video
Other Apple Goodness:
Sweets from friends:
Caramel Apple Poke Cake by What’s Cooking Love
Biscoff Caramel Apple Cider by Something Swanky
Applesauce Cupcakes by Bakeaholic Mama
Last Updated on May 13, 2020
I laughed so hard at the thought of your arms pulling out of their sockets. I’m one step ahead of you, Dorothy. I know what kettle balls are so I wouldn’t even attempt to pick them up in the first place! Dang, I hate lunges. You definitely deserved these glorious cheesecake bars after your workout. This is going to the top of my fall baking list! Seriously, the combo of Nilla and graham crackers in the crust? Brilliant!
Ha ha!! Thanks Nancy!!
And now I will dream of apple cheesecake deliciousness al night long… these sound fabulous!!!
First, I’m just totally impressed that you’re squatting with a kettleball. I got on my elliptical machine yesterday for the first time in, um, a year?? and now I can’t walk up my stairs.
I’d rather just eat these bars, because OMG. Heaven!
Ah the elliptical. She’s a fickle one. It’ll be easier the next time around!
If this is like an apple pie and a cheesecake, I’m sold! This is amazing! But I think I might need to do some squats after I eat these!
Yup, that’s the reason I succumb to the kettle ball…
That crust is incredible!! I love it and these look insanely awesome!! I need to start my apple and pumpkin baking. I have to catch up to you!
I made THREE pumpkin recipes today. It’s all I can think about!
Oh my goodness these look like they are worth TONS of squats…I might need to do some after just looking at these bars!
Totally! LOL thanks Julie!
Great minds think alike…while I was reading I was wondering if you added caramel sauce. That and a little vanilla ice cream…WOW!
xoxo
Holy moly! These look amazing and are two of my favorite tastes in a single dessert!
Thanks Kelly!!
Haha, I did squats yesterday with a Kettleball! And I pretty much can’t move today. These bars look amazing girl 🙂
Me neither!! Thanks Aimee!
A Nilla Wafer Cookie and Graham crust…omg right there. SOLD! And the layers. Filling, crumbly topping – delish!!!
Thanks Averie!! 🙂
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