Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Crumble Topping

These apple cheesecake bars are four of fall’s best textures stacked into one square: a buttery shortbread crust, a creamy vanilla cheesecake layer, a pile of cinnamon apples, and a crunchy oat streusel crumble on top. Drizzle them with caramel and you basically have apple pie, apple crisp, and cheesecake all making out in one pan. They taste like something from a bakery case, but I promise the steps are way easier than they look (more on that below, because I know “four layers” sounds like a lot).

If you have been calling these apple crisp cheesecake bars, apple crumble cheesecake bars, or apple streusel cheesecake bars in your head, you are in exactly the right place. They are all the same gloriously layered dessert.

Since you are here, make sure to check out this Crumbl apple pie cookies, apple cider bundt cake, better than Krispy Kreme apple donuts, these cinnamon baked apples, as well as this Dutch apple pie with streusel. 

Why you’ll love these apple cheesecake bars

I have made these every single fall since 2023, and they are the recipe my family asks for by name when the weather finally dips. Here is why they earn their spot:

They taste like three desserts in one. Apple pie filling, apple crisp streusel, and a real cheesecake layer, all in a sliceable bar. No water bath, no springform pan, no stress.

They are secretly make-ahead. These actually taste better the next day after a night in the fridge, which makes them perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday baking when you want one less thing to do day-of.

The “four layers” thing is a vibe, not a difficulty. Each layer comes together in one bowl in a couple of minutes. I will walk you through the order so it feels like a checklist, not a project.

They use up orchard apples beautifully. If you went a little overboard apple picking (relatable), this is your recipe.

Why you need to make this recipe!

• This is the perfect fall dessert!
• It is a great way to use up all those extra apples from when you went apple picking. 
• This recipe uses layers of shortbread crust, cheesecake, a cinnamon apple layer, a crunchy brown sugar streusel topping, and caramel drizzle on top. It really embodies the spirit of fall in one dessert. 
• These bars have the best combination of textures. From the creamy center to the crunchy crust and streusel. Definitely addictive! 

Ingredients for these apple crisp cheesecake bars

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this cheesecake apple crisp bars. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Butter
• All purpose flour
• Granulated sugar & brown sugar
• Cream cheese- We want our cream cheese to be at room temperature to be able to mix the rest of the ingredients into it. 
• Vanilla bean paste & vanilla extract
• Egg
• Heavy cream
• Apples– A quick word on apples, since this is the question I get most: I like a firm, tart apple that holds its shape, so Granny Smith is my default. If you want a little more sweetness, do half Granny Smith and half Honeycrisp or Gala. Avoid super soft apples like Red Delicious, they go mealy. Peel them so the texture stays clean against the creamy cheesecake layer.
• Lemon juice
• Cinnamon
• Oats

Variations

• Graham cracker crust version: swap the shortbread crust for a graham cracker crust (about 1.5 cups graham crumbs plus 5 tablespoons melted butter, pressed and baked 8 minutes). Great if you want that classic cheesecake-bar base.
• Caramel apple cheesecake bars: drizzle salted caramel over the top right before serving to turn these into caramel apple cheesecake bars with streusel topping. Store-bought works, but homemade caramel is unreal here.
• Apple pie filling shortcut: short on time? Use about 1.5 cups of canned apple pie filling instead of fresh cinnamon apples. You lose a little fresh-apple texture but it is fast.
• Cinnamon apple cheesecake bars: add an extra 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon to both the apples and the streusel if you love a warm, spiced, cinnamon-forward bar.
• Apple cider twist: simmer 1/2 cup apple cider down to a syrup and brush it over the warm bars for a deeper apple cider cheesecake bar flavor.

How to make these apple crumble cheesecake bars.

This is how you can make one of the best apple desserts ever! Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions! 

The streusel topping

1. In a small bowl mix the cubed cold butter, brown sugar, salt, flour, oats, and cinnamon. Use either your hands or a pastry cutter. 
2. Once the mixture is combined well and has small clumps, set aside in the fridge for later. 

The shortbread crust

1. In a medium bowl cream the flour, both sugars, vanilla extract, and salt together until soft cookie dough forms.
2. Spread the cookie dough on an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. 
3. Bake in the oven for 13 minutes.  

The cream cheese mixture

1. In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese, flour, sugar, vanilla bean paste, and heavy cream until combined. 
2. Mix in the egg. 
3. Pour the mixture over the warm crust. 

The apple filling

1. Mix the diced apples with the lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon.

Bake the dessert

1. Top the apple layer with the cold oat streusel. 
2. Bake until the edges are set and lightly golden and the center is just barely jiggly (not liquid). Start checking at 60 minutes, but know that many ovens, including some of my testers’, need 70-75 minutes for the cheesecake center to fully set. Trust the visual cue over the clock. Then cool fully and chill overnight before slicing.
3. Drizzle with some caramel sauce, slice, and enjoy! 

 Can I double this Apple cheesecake bars for a 9×13 pan?

Yes, and this is the move when you are feeding a crowd or bringing dessert to Thanksgiving. Double every ingredient and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. You will likely only need about 3 medium apples rather than 4, depending on size. Add baking time: start checking around 45 minutes and expect closer to 70-85 minutes total for the center to set. Same doneness cue, just a barely-there jiggle in the middle.

Frequently asked questions – FAQ