Creamy, spiced apple and oat bar with rich layers and crunchy topping offering warm, comforting flavors.
# Components:
→ Crust
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Cheesecake Layer
05 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Apple Filling
09 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
10 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Crisp Topping
14 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
15 - 1/3 cup rolled oats
16 - 1/3 cup brown sugar
17 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
18 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to facilitate removal.
02 - Combine flour, granulated sugar, melted butter, and salt in a medium bowl until crumbly. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.
03 - Beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Spread evenly over the slightly cooled crust.
04 - In a separate bowl, toss diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice until coated. Spread evenly over the cheesecake layer.
05 - Combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add cold cubed butter and blend with fingers or a pastry blender until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly over the apple layer.
06 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until topping is golden brown and center is set.
07 - Cool bars completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before removing using the parchment overhang and slicing into 16 bars.
