Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping

 photo credit: http://www.pauladeen.com

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping

original recipe: http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/caramel_apple_cheesecake_bars_with_streusel_toppin/

Ingredients:

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Streusel topping (recipe follows)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup caramel topping

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

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13-by-9-by-2 inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 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 evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.

Streusel Topping:

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.