Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

(Courtesy of the-girl-who-ate-everything.com)

Ingredients:
CRUST:
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
FILLING:
3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. sugar, plus 2 Tbsp. divided
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
APPLES:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
TOPPING:
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened

1/2 c. caramel topping

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine 2 c. flour and 1/2 c. brown sugar.  Cut in 1 c. 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 evenly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 c. 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 Tbsp. sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture.

For topping: in a small bowl, combine all topping ingredients.  Mix thoroughly to combine.

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