Friday, October 26, 2007

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

This is another great fall recipe that includes apples!

Bars:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 T sugar
2 large eggs
1 t vanilla
3 apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or a fork) until the mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9 x 13 inch pan lined with foil. Bake 15 minutes. In large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla till smooth. Pour over warm crust. In a small bowl, stir together apples, 2 T sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. In small bowl stir together all streusel ingredients and mix just till crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over apple layer. Bake 30 minutes. Drizzle with caramel topping.

Tomorrow's Daily Special: Chicken Parmesan