Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. cold butter, cubed
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. plus 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 medium tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
STREUSEL:
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. quick-cooking oats
1/3 c. cold butter, cubed
1/3 c. hot caramel ice cream topping

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly.  Press into a well-greased 9x13 baking pan.  Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/2 c. sugar and vanilla until smooth.  Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.  Spread over crust.

In a small bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining sugar; spoon over cream cheese layer.  In another bowl, mix four, brown sugar and oats; cut in butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle over apple layer.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until filling is set.  Drizzle with caramel topping; cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours.  Cut into bars.