Get ready for a dessert that has everything you love in one bite! These Apple Cheesecake Bars combine the creamy smoothness of cheesecake, the comforting sweetness of cinnamon-spiced apples, and the buttery crunch of a streusel topping. Every layer is perfectly balanced — from the golden crust to the rich filling and crumbly top. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, potluck, or just because, this recipe guarantees warm, cozy fall flavors in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Apple Cheesecake Bars Recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser because it delivers three irresistible textures and flavors in one dessert. The buttery graham and cookie crust gives a crisp base, the creamy cheesecake layer melts in your mouth, and the apple-cinnamon crumble adds that comforting, home-baked sweetness. It’s easy to make, slice, and serve — making it perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a cozy night in.

Apple Cheesecake Bars

If autumn had a flavor, it would taste like these Apple Cheesecake Bars — creamy, cozy, and full of cinnamon-spiced goodness. This dessert takes everything you love about classic cheesecake and elevates it with layers of sweet apple filling and buttery streusel topping. Every bite is smooth, rich, and perfectly spiced, making it a treat that feels indulgent yet wonderfully homemade.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its balanced texture and flavor combination. The crust — made with graham crackers and vanilla wafer cookies — adds a slightly sweet, buttery crunch that complements the soft filling beautifully. Then comes the star of the show: a luscious cheesecake layer that’s silky and rich without being too heavy. It’s the perfect backdrop for the warm, tart apple pieces that melt into the filling as they bake.

On top, the brown sugar and oat crumble adds the finishing touch — crumbly, golden, and just the right amount of sweet. When baked, the topping becomes crisp around the edges and slightly chewy in the center, offering a delightful contrast to the creamy layer beneath.

One of the best things about these bars is how simple and versatile they are. You can bake them ahead of time, chill them for easy slicing, and serve them cold or at room temperature. They’re the kind of dessert that works equally well for a holiday feast, a potluck, or a cozy night at home with coffee or cider.

The flavors are comforting but not overpowering — a hint of cinnamon, a touch of tang from the cheesecake, and a buttery sweetness from the crust and topping. Together, they create a dessert that feels both familiar and elevated, perfect for sharing or savoring alone.

Even if you’re not an experienced baker, this recipe is incredibly approachable. There’s no need for a springform pan or complicated water bath — just simple layers baked together into perfection. It’s a no-fail cheesecake recipe with a seasonal twist you’ll want to make all year round.

Whether you serve them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or drizzled with caramel sauce, these Apple Cheesecake Bars are pure comfort in dessert form. Creamy, crisp, and spiced just right — they’re the kind of sweet treat that disappears fast once you set them on the table.

Servings & Time

Servings: 16 bars
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 50 Nilla Wafer Cookies

• 12 Graham Cracker Sheets

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 12 tablespoons melted butter

For the Cheesecake Filling

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature

• ½ cup sour cream

• ½ cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons divided

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Topping

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• ½ cup softened butter

• ½ cup quick-cooking oats

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a food processor, combine Nilla Wafers, graham crackers, and cinnamon; pulse into fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until combined.

3. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let cool slightly.

4. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

5. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed just until combined.

6. Toss the chopped apples with 2 tablespoons sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon, then gently fold them into the cheesecake batter.

7. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the cooled crust and spread evenly.

8. In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, and softened butter with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly.

9. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cheesecake layer.

10. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.

11. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.

Tips

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness.

• Add a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.

• Chill the bars fully before slicing for neat, clean edges.

• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.