Josephine's Apple and Cheese Bars

Indulge in the perfect harmony of sweet and tangy with Josephine's Apple and Cheese Bars—a delightful dessert featuring layers of buttery crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a golden, crumbly streusel. This easy-to-follow recipe combines simple, everyday ingredients like cream cheese, fresh apples, and a hint of vanilla for a decadent treat that's ready in under an hour. Perfect for fall gatherings, holiday desserts, or an afternoon snack, these apple and cheese bars strike the ideal balance between comfort food and gourmet flavor. Whether you're a fan of creamy textures or crave the warming nuances of cinnamon and brown sugar, this recipe will quickly become a favorite. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a crowd-pleasing dessert that pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea!

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 0.75 cups Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 8 oz Cream cheese, softened
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 2 cups Apples, peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 cups Brown sugar
• 0.25 cups All-purpose flour (for topping)
• 3 tbsp Butter, melted

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 0.5 cups of granulated sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.

Step 3

Reserve 1/2 cup of this crumb mixture for the topping, then press the remaining mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool slightly.

Step 4

Meanwhile, beat the softened cream cheese in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the partially baked crust.

Step 6

In another bowl, toss the diced apples with ground cinnamon and brown sugar until well coated. Spread the apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.

Step 7

To make the topping, combine the reserved crumb mixture, 0.25 cups of flour, and melted butter, mixing until crumbly. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the apples.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and set. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Step 9

Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1311.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4203.4

Total Fat 268.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 163.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 927.6mg	0%
Sodium 881.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 414.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.4g	0%
Total Sugars 184.7g
Protein 51.7g	0%

Vitamin D 156.5IU	0%
Calcium 414.4mg	0%
Iron 15.1mg	0%
Potassium 1123.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.4%

Protein: 4.8%

Carbs: 38.7%