Maple Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars

Well today marks the final day of apple week! Lindsay and I have been sharing our best apple recipes all week long! Monday, I made Brown Butter Apple Pie Muffins and Wednesday I made Bourbon Apple Pie Ice Cream. Be sure to check out Lindsay’s treats as well! Her Caramel Apple Blondie Cheesecake is to-die for, and today, these trifles are just mouth watering! Today, I am sharing Maple Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars.

My Maple Sugar Cookies  are the base of these bars. In cookie form, these are one of my freaking favorite cookies! They are soft like pillows and full of maple flavor. I even blended in some crushed walnuts, adding even more to the soft texture. I baked the base in a 9”x13” pan, which created a crust about ¾” thick. I have to admit, I cut out a corner of the cookie to taste it before I added the cheesecake layer. It’s just too good not to try!

Of course I topped these bars with apple pie filling. I swear, just about anything with apple pie filling is just downright awesome. These bars are no exception. You can make the apple filling while the cookie is baking. I like to cook this at a low temperature, heating all the flavors together. My secret to my apple pie filling, is adding a bit of maple syrup to the mix. I like to multitask and do as few dishes as possible. Plus, you will need to let the pie filling (and the cookie) cool completely.

The last layer of these bars is the cheesecake filling. I used the same brown sugar caramel cheesecake base as I used in my Apple Pie Lasagna. I changed this recipe up to use fresh whipped cream instead of Cool Whip. If you don’t want to make homemade whipped cream, then you can certainly substitute Cool Whip. I just really love the texture of homemade whipped cream.

After the cookie is cooled, you just add the cheesecake layer and top it with your apple pie filling. It is best if you can refrigerate this for at least 2 hours to allow the cheesecake layer to set. As if there wasn’t enough sugar already, I topped this with some caramel drizzle. These cheesecake bars are just dreamy.

Once refrigerated, the cookie gets more firm. So I like to allow them to sit out for 15-20 minutes to soften before serving. Since this has the cheesecake layer, it does need to stay refrigerated.  Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients or the number of steps. It’s really easier than you think!

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Maple Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars

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• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12-16 bars

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Description

A rich maple sugar cookie base with a layer of brown sugar cheesecake and topped with apple pie filling.

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Ingredients

For the pie filling

• 4 Medium apples, sliced
• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 2 tbsp Light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp Maple syrup
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Apple pie spice

For the cookie base

• 3/4 C Unsalted butter – softened (1.5 sticks)
• 1 C Granulated sugar
• 1/4 C Light brown sugar
• 2 Large eggs
• 1/2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp Pure maple syrup
• 2 1/2 C All-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• 2/3 C Walnuts – ground crumbs (optional)

For the cheesecake filling

• 2 C Heavy cream
• 1/2 C Powdered sugar
• 16 oz Cream cheese (at room temperature)
• 1/4C Brown sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Caramel

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Instructions

For the pie filling

1. Slice apples into small pieces and squeeze a lemon over top and stir to combine.
2. Add brown sugar, flour, maple syrup, cinnamon, apple pie spice over top of apples. Stir to mix ingredients.
3. Heat apples on the stove over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until soft. Stir occasionally. You want the apples to be mushy like apple sauce, instead of the larger chunks. Set aside and allow to cool completely, refrigerate if necessary.

For the cookie

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Allow butter to soften, for about 30 minutes- you don’t want it to be too soft.
3. Combine butter with granulated and brown sugars. Beat on medium speed until the butter and sugar are well combined and mixture becomes somewhat fluffy.
4. Add eggs, vanilla extract and maple syrup and beat until all ingredients are combined.
5. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir to combine.
6. Use a food processor to grind up walnuts into a fine crumb. Add to dry ingredients.
7. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet batter and beat on medium speed until dough forms.
8. Line a 9*13” pan with parchment paper or a baking mat. Spread cookie dough out across the bottom of the pan and gently pat down.
9. Bake at 375° F for 25-28 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan completely.

For the cheesecake layer

1. Put bowl and whisk in the freezer for 15 minutes until completely cold. Whip heavy cream on medium high speed for several minutes until bubbly.
2. Add powdered sugar and beat on medium high until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate whipped cream.
3. Allow cream cheese co come to room temperature. Beat cream cheese on a high speed until well whipped.
4. Add powdered sugar and cinnamon and beat until well combined. Add heavy cream and caramel and beat on medium high speed for minute or two. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
5. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Spread cream cheese mixture on cooled cookie base. Top with apple pie filling. Refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours so the cream cheese layer can set. Topped with additional caramel.

Notes

Total time includes refrigeration. Keep refrigerated.

Other recipes you might like:

Cider Bourbon Apple Pie from How Sweet It Is

Baked Apple Pie Fries from Averie Cooks

Apple Pie Panini’s from Just A Taste

Caramel Apple Blondie Cheesecake from Life Love Sugar

Other recipes you might like: 

Apple Pie Lasagna

Apple Pie Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Bourbon Apple Pie Ice Cream

Apple Pie Coffee Cake with Brown Butter Maple Glaze