Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Since we were doing "T2" -- Thanksgiving Part 2, I needed to come up with some desserts to offer.  My SIL, Francesca, was making the best apple pie evah, so I wanted to do something not-pie for as another dessert option.  I had found this tasty treat on Pinterest.  As much as it seems like it has a lot of steps, it's pretty easy, and OH-SO-DELICIOUS!  I have another plate full of these bars, and I need to find a home for them before I eat them all myself!

Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar 
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:

• 3 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened 
• ¾ cup sugar, plus 2 Tbsp., divided 
• 3 large eggs 
• 1½ tsp. vanilla extract

Apples:

• 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped 
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon 
• ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• ½ cup quick cooking oats 
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened

Drizzle:

• ½ cup caramel topping, for drizzling after baked

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar.
3.  Cut in butter with a pastry blender, 2 forks, or mixer until mixture is crumbly.
4. Press evenly into a 9×13 greased baking pan.
5. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
    
6. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
7. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla, stirring to combine.
8. Pour over warm crust.
    
9. In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
10. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.
     
11. For the streusel topping, combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. 
12. Sprinkle streusel topping over apples.
13. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set.
     
14. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool.
15. Serve cold and enjoy

Adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything blog