Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

I had to add this one.  And admit it-- when you look at the picture, your mouth waters.   I mean who doesn't love cheesecake?  And caramel apples?  Put them together and you have magic!  lol.   You are essentially making your own graham cracker crust from scratch here, so I guess you could use crushed graham crackers with butter and sugar instead.   But this way you get more bragging rights.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in
butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is
crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with
heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly
browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 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 (for this topping, in a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the
butter into the mixture).

Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with
caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy!