CARAMEL APPLE BARS

CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Streusel topping (recipe follows)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tsp 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 cups 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

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.

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.

For the streusel topping:

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

This recipe is from PaulaDeen.com - one of my favorites.