Indulge in Autumn’s Best: Decadent Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars

As the crisp air of autumn descends and apple orchards overflow with their bountiful harvest, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a show-stopping dessert. Prepare to be amazed by these utterly irresistible Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars! Imagine a perfectly spiced graham cracker crust, a rich and velvety vanilla bean cheesecake layer, tender apples lovingly tossed in a warm embrace of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, all crowned with a golden, crumbly streusel topping. Each bite is a symphony of fall flavors, a true masterpiece of texture and taste.

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The Secret Ingredient: King Arthur Flour Essential Goodness Mixes

My journey to these divine Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars began with a delightful discovery: King Arthur Flour’s Essential Goodness Mixes. Renowned for their unwavering commitment to quality and baking excellence, King Arthur Flour has created a line of baking mixes that truly live up to their name. Among them, the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bar Mix instantly captured my attention. On its own, this mix yields incredibly easy-to-make and sophisticated cheesecake bars, a testament to King Arthur Flour’s superior ingredients and thoughtful formulation.

I immediately recognized the immense potential of this mix. It wasn’t just a convenient shortcut; it was a fantastic foundation, a blank canvas awaiting a creative culinary touch. The graham cracker crust, in particular, stood out with its subtle hint of cinnamon, sparking the idea that this mix could perfectly anchor an autumn-inspired dessert. The beauty of incorporating real vanilla bean into the cheesecake filling was another highlight. Let’s be honest, the cost of a single vanilla bean can sometimes exceed that of an entire box mix, making this inclusion a luxurious bonus that elevates the flavor profile considerably.

I’ve always advocated for smart shortcuts in the kitchen – those that streamline the process without ever compromising the final outcome. My confidence in this new line of King Arthur Flour products was high, and I’m thrilled to say it was well-placed. The Essential Goodness mixes are truly *made with simple ingredients* – the very kind you’d use if you were baking entirely from scratch. You won’t find artificial colors or flavors, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, or corn syrup here. Furthermore, all ingredients are sourced non-GMO, reflecting a dedication to wholesome goodness that resonates deeply with home bakers.

What makes these mixes truly exceptional is their versatility. While they are undeniably delicious when prepared as directed, they also provide an outstanding starting point for those who love to experiment and “mix things up,” much like I did with these cheesecake bars. For even more inspiration, baker’s tips, and creative twists to personalize your baking, explore the wealth of ideas available at KingArthurFlour.com.

Baking with Purpose: A Meal for Every Mix

Beyond the exceptional quality and convenience, there’s an heartwarming bonus to choosing King Arthur Flour Essential Goodness mixes: every purchase contributes to a greater cause. For every mix bought, King Arthur Flour donates the cost of a meal to Feeding America, the nation’s largest organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger. This isn’t a limited-time promotion; it’s an ongoing commitment. King Arthur Flour has pledged to donate a minimum of one million meals in the first year of sales alone, making your baking efforts even sweeter knowing you’re helping others.

I am confident that you will adore the entire spectrum of this new line of baking mixes. Essential Goodness masterfully offers creative and unexpected spins on beloved breakfast and dessert items. Be sure to explore all the tempting varieties available: Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Lemon Bars, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cloud 9 Pancakes, Cinnamon Sugar Puff Muffin Mix, and, of course, the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bars. Each mix is designed to bring joy and ease to your baking endeavors.

I sincerely hope you’ll give not only this incredible Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake Bar recipe a try, but also discover the many other delicious options within the Essential Goodness range. I’m personally planning to bake my way through the entire collection this fall! Happy baking, and enjoy the delightful flavors of the season.

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Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars with caramel drizzle

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Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars

Apple season has arrived and to celebrate, I’m sharing these outrageous Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars! A graham cracker crust spiced with cinnamon, a decadent vanilla bean cheesecake layer, apples tossed in sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and finally my favorite streusel topping. Yeah, WOW.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cheesecake bars, dutch apple pie, dutch apple pie cheesecake bars

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 16 bars

Calories 365kcal

Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

16 oz King Arthur Flour Essential Goodness Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bar Mix

Graham Cracker Crust

1/4 cup butter melted
graham cracker crust mix from box

Cheesecake Layer

16 oz cream cheese softened
cheesecake filling mix from box
2 eggs room temperature

Apple Pie Layer

3 medium or 4 small Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, chopped into small pieces
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Streusel Topping

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup oats
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup pecan halves
6 tbsp cold butter cut into small pieces
caramel sauce optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan. For easy removal, line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.

Graham Cracker Crust

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with the graham cracker crust mix from the box. Stir until the mixture is uniform and resembles wet sand.
Press the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a solid crust layer.
Bake the crust for 14 minutes. Remove from the oven once baked and set aside.

Cheesecake Layer

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and the cheesecake filling mix (from the box) until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated.
Carefully pour the creamy cheesecake batter over the warm, pre-baked crust in the prepared pan.

Apple Pie Layer

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the peeled, cored, and chopped Granny Smith apples with the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Toss gently until all the apple pieces are thoroughly coated with the spice mixture.
Evenly spoon the spiced apple mixture over the cheesecake layer, spreading it gently across the surface.

Streusel Topping

In a food processor, combine all the streusel ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, pecan halves, and cold butter (cut into small pieces). Pulse the mixture until the largest pieces are the size of a pea or smaller, creating a crumbly texture.
Carefully sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple layer, ensuring it covers the apples and fills in any gaps.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the streusel topping is beautifully golden brown and only the very center of the pan shows a slight wiggle when gently shaken.
Allow the bars to cool at room temperature for at least one hour. Then, transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for a minimum of 3 hours (or ideally, overnight) before cutting into squares and serving.
For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with warm caramel sauce just before serving.

Nutrition

More Irresistible Apple Recipes for the Season!

Best Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Delightful Apple Walnut Strudel

Slow Cooker Apple Cider Maple Meatballs

Easy Caramel Apple Monkey Bread

Homemade Caramel Apple Empanadas

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Wishing you a wonderfully delicious day!

Disclosure: King Arthur Flour generously provided me with the products used in this project. I received compensation for this blog post. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Mom On Timeout possible!