Irresistible Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars: Your New Favorite Dessert Fusion
Are you a true dessert enthusiast who often finds yourself torn between the creamy indulgence of a classic cheesecake and the comforting, spiced warmth of a homemade apple pie? Fret no more! We’ve discovered the ultimate solution that harmoniously blends the best qualities of both beloved treats into one spectacular creation: Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars. This ingenious recipe offers a delightful compromise, delivering the rich, tangy essence of cheesecake beautifully paired with the tender, sweet-tart notes of baked apples, all elevated by the fragrant crunch of almonds and a bright hint of lemon. It’s truly a little bit of everything you crave in a dessert, presented in a convenient, shareable bar format that’s perfect for any occasion.
Crafting the Perfect Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars: Our Insights
This exquisite recipe hails from one of Fine Cooking’s esteemed special publications, “Sweet Cakes.” While their original photograph might have leaned more towards the appearance of an apple bar, our version tends to present as a decadent cheesecake bar generously accented with apple slices. This subtle shift in perception highlights the luxurious creaminess of the cheesecake layer, making it the star, while the apples provide a wonderful, mellow sweetness and texture. Initially, the apple flavor might seem understated, but rest assured, the overall harmony of flavors is utterly captivating.
One of the most remarkable aspects of these bars is how their flavor profile evolves and deepens over time. We’ve found that they taste even better on the second day, allowing the various elements to meld and mature. The bright, zesty notes of lemon, in particular, become more pronounced, cutting through the richness of the cheesecake and complementing the sweetness of the apples and almonds beautifully. It’s a true testament to a well-balanced recipe.
Sadly, the original source, Fine Cooking, is no longer active, and the direct link to their recipe has ceased to function. However, the essence of their culinary brilliance lives on through this carefully paraphrased and tested recipe. While the list of ingredients and steps might appear extensive at first glance, don’t be intimidated! The process is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly rewarding, leading to a dessert that looks and tastes far more complex than it is to prepare.
Why These Bars Are a Must-Try Dessert
Beyond being a simple blend of two classics, Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars offer unique advantages that make them a superior choice for many occasions. Unlike a whole pie or cheesecake, bars are inherently portion-controlled and incredibly easy to serve. They are perfect for potlucks, parties, or even a delightful packed lunch treat. Their sturdy structure also makes them much more portable, allowing you to easily share the joy of homemade baking wherever you go.
The combination of textures is another key highlight. You get the buttery, crumbly crust and topping, the smooth, creamy cheesecake filling, and the tender-crisp apple slices, all unified by the nutty crunch of slivered almonds. This multi-layered sensory experience ensures every bite is interesting and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression on your taste buds. The subtle almond extract in the crust and topping adds another layer of sophisticated flavor that truly sets these bars apart from standard apple or cheesecake offerings.
Baking Tips for Perfect Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars
Achieving bakery-quality Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars is easier than you think with a few key considerations. First and foremost, ensure your butter and cream cheese for the crust are well softened to room temperature. This is crucial for achieving a smooth, evenly blended crust mixture and preventing lumps. Similarly, for the filling, using softened cream cheese and a room-temperature egg will result in a perfectly silky, lump-free cheesecake layer.
When pressing the crust into the pan, aim for an even layer. This ensures uniform baking and a consistent texture throughout the base of your bars. Pricking the crust with a fork before pre-baking helps to prevent it from puffing up excessively. Don’t rush the pre-baking step; a golden-brown crust around the edges is your signal for readiness. For the apples, slicing them thinly and uniformly ensures they cook through perfectly and integrate seamlessly into the filling.
Finally, the cooling process is just as important as the baking. Allow the bars to cool in the pan until warm before using the parchment sling to lift them out. Then, let them cool completely on a wire rack. This gradual cooling prevents cracking in the cheesecake layer and allows the bars to set properly, making them much easier to cut into neat, beautiful servings. Patience here will be rewarded with superior texture and presentation.
Explore More Apple Delights
If these Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars have ignited your passion for apple-infused treats, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delightful recipes from Cookie Madness. Our collection features a variety of ways to enjoy the versatile apple, from comforting muffins to irresistible crumbly delights. The Apple Crumb Bars, in particular, have consistently received rave reviews over the years, proving to be a timeless favorite among our readers. Don’t miss out on these other fantastic ways to celebrate the apple:
- Apple Pie Muffins: All the warm, spiced flavors of apple pie in a convenient, portable muffin form. Perfect for breakfast or a snack.
- Double Chocolate Apple Butter Bread: A rich, moist bread combining the depth of apple butter with decadent double chocolate.
- Chocolate Apple Butter Muffins: A delightful fusion of chocolate and apple butter, creating a surprisingly harmonious and delicious muffin.
- Easy Apple Cinnamon Oat Cookies: Simple yet satisfying cookies bursting with the classic combination of apple and cinnamon, enhanced with wholesome oats.
- Apple Crumb Bars: A beloved classic, these bars feature a buttery crust, a sweet apple filling, and a generous, irresistible crumb topping.
Recipe: Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars
Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Crust and Topping
- 1 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, well softened
- ¼ cup cream cheese, well softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ tsp. pure almond extract
- ⅔ cup slivered almonds, coarsely chopped plus a few more as needed
Filling
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest
- 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
- 1 Pinch salt
- 1 lb. Braeburn, Gala, or Rome apples, peeled, cored and cut into ⅛-inch-thick slices (to yield 2-½ cups)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or non-stick foil, leaving an overhang on two sides to create a “sling” for easy removal later.
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For the crust and topping: From the total flour, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar amounts, set aside 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of each type of sugar. These reserved ingredients will be used in the topping mixture later.
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In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the well-softened unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, and pure almond extract until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
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Add the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar and ¼ cup of brown sugar to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until just blended, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, incorporate the remaining 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, the salt, and ⅓ cup of the coarsely chopped slivered almonds. Beat on medium-low speed only until the flour is fully absorbed and the mixture begins to come together in distinct clumps. Be careful not to overmix.
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Reserve approximately ⅔ cup of this dough mixture to be used later as the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9-inch square pan, forming a thin but consistent layer. Prick the entire surface of the crust with a fork. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is beautifully golden, particularly around the edges. Remove the crust from the oven, but keep the oven on for the next baking step.
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While the crust is baking, add the 2 tablespoons of reserved flour and the 2 tablespoons of each reserved granulated and brown sugars to the ⅔ cup of reserved dough mixture. Using your fingertips, mix these ingredients until thoroughly combined. Then, gently squeeze the dough together to form a single clump (you will break this into crumbles again for the topping).
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Now, it’s time to prepare the luscious cream cheese filling.
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In a clean, large mixing bowl, beat the 4 oz. softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until it is perfectly smooth and free of lumps. Add the ½ cup of granulated sugar and beat on medium speed until well combined, scraping the bowl sides as necessary to ensure everything is incorporated. Beat in the large egg until just combined, again scraping the bowl as needed. Finally, beat in the freshly grated lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until fully mixed.
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Carefully arrange the thinly sliced apples evenly over the pre-baked bottom crust. Pour the prepared cream cheese filling over the apple slices, using a rubber spatula to gently spread it out and ensure the apples are completely covered.
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Crumble the reserved dough mixture (from step 5) over the cream cheese filling. The crumble pieces can be fairly substantial, roughly the size of a cherry, and it’s perfectly fine if the topping doesn’t completely cover the filling – a rustic look is part of its charm. Sprinkle with the remaining slivered almonds and any additional almonds you wish to add for extra visual appeal and crunch.
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Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the topping and almonds are a beautiful light golden brown and the cheesecake filling is set (a slight jiggle in the center is okay). Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack until they are warm to the touch, which typically takes about 30 minutes. Once warm, carefully use the parchment or foil sling to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to the wire rack to cool completely. This is a crucial step for clean slicing.
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Once fully cooled, transfer the bars (still on the parchment) to a cutting board. Gently slide a long, thin metal spatula between the bars and the parchment paper to ensure they are separated, then carefully slide the parchment paper out from underneath. Cut into 16 equal bars and serve. Enjoy the exquisite blend of flavors!
We hope you’ll embark on this delightful baking adventure and create these incredible Apple Almond Cheesecake Bars for your friends and family. They truly offer a unique dessert experience, combining the best of classic flavors into a convenient and utterly delicious format. Don’t forget to share your creations and tell us what you think – your feedback always inspires us!