We love apple desserts in the fall when fruit is at its peak. These Apple Cider Cheesecake Bars with Caramelized Apples capture autumn flavors perfectly and make a cozy dessert for holiday gatherings.
Cheesecake Bars
Cheesecake can be intimidating to make, but cheesecake bars give you all the rich flavor and creamy texture without the fuss of a springform pan. These bars bake in a standard 9×9-inch dish and are much easier to handle while still delivering classic cheesecake satisfaction.
Apple Cider Reduction Syrup
The apple cider reduction syrup is the backbone of this recipe, bringing spiced cider character into the filling and toppings. It takes time to simmer down but can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Use it in cocktails or other desserts—keeps for up to one month when refrigerated.
Graham Cracker Crust
The crust is a simple graham cracker crumb base—classic and neutral so the apple cider and caramelized apple topping can shine. Crush graham crackers in a sealed bag with a rolling pin or use a food processor until you have fine crumbs.
Caramelized Apple Topping
The caramelized apples are essential. The cheesecake filling has a subtle cider note, while the topping provides concentrated apple flavor and a soft, jammy texture. Don’t skip it—this is what completes the bars.
Enjoy!
We hope you enjoy these Apple Cider Cheesecake Bars with Caramelized Apples. If you try the recipe, please leave a comment and rating or tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine!
Looking for similar recipes? Try the other seasonal desserts in our collection.
📖 Recipe
Apple Cider Cheesecake Bars with Caramelized Apples
Ingredients
Apple Cider Reduction Syrup
- 4–5 large apples (Honeycrisp recommended)
- 3 tangerines
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 star anise
- 1 whole nutmeg or 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 8 cups water
Cheesecake Bar Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Apple Cider Cheesecake
- 24 oz (3 packs) cream cheese
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or scraped vanilla bean
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Reduction Syrup (from above)
Caramelized Diced Apple
- 1 apple (Honeycrisp suggested), peeled, cored and diced
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
Apple Cider Reduction Syrup
- Halve the tangerines and quarter the apples, removing seeds.
- Place all syrup ingredients in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours.
- Remove the tangerines, gently mash the apples with a wooden spoon and simmer uncovered for another 40 minutes.
- Off the heat, cool fully. Strain through a fine sieve and discard solids.
- Store the smooth reduction in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Cheesecake Bar Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment and spray lightly with nonstick spray.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and melted butter until well combined and mixture holds when pressed.
- Press evenly into the prepared pan using the bottom of a measuring cup. Chill for 30 minutes.
- Bake the crust 10–12 minutes until golden. Cool completely before adding the filling.
Apple Cider Cheesecake Filling
- Reduce oven temperature to 250°F.
- Beat cream cheese on high for 1–2 minutes to remove lumps. Add brown sugar and vanilla, then mix in sour cream, cinnamon and apple cider reduction. Add eggs and combine gently until smooth.
- Pour filling over cooled crust and bake for about 45 minutes, until the center is set and no longer wobbly. Cool completely, then refrigerate until firm.
Caramelized Diced Apple Topping
- In a small saucepan combine diced apples, brown sugar, water, cinnamon and lemon juice.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes until the apples are soft and the liquid is syrupy.
- Cool completely. These apples refrigerate up to two weeks in an airtight container.
- To serve, lift the chilled cheesecake from the pan, cut into 9 bars and top each with caramelized apples.
Nutrition
Let us know how it turned out in the comments.
Do you love our recipes?
We provide these recipes for free and appreciate any support. If you enjoy our content and want to contribute, you may do so—but there is no obligation. Thank you for being part of our community.