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Apple Blondie Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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4.2 from 87 reviews

  • Author: Mary & Susan
  • Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Description

Delight in these rich and tender Apple Blondie Cheesecake Bars that combine the warm flavors of brown butter, cinnamon, and fresh apples with a creamy cheesecake topping. Baked to perfection, these bars offer a perfect balance of a soft blondie base loaded with apple chunks and a luscious whipped cream cheese frosting, making them a standout dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

Blondie Base

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (227g)
  • 2 cups brown sugar (400g)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (7.5g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2.5g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (3g)
  • 2 Gala apples (or preferred variety)

Cheesecake Topping

  • 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (454g)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream (240ml)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (1g)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9″x13″ baking dish with parchment paper ensuring that it covers the sides for easy removal of the bars later, then set aside.
  2. Make Brown Butter: In a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, stirring frequently. Cook for about 2 minutes until the butter begins to foam, then continue cooking while stirring until the foam reduces and the butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat.
  3. Combine Butter and Sugar: Immediately add the brown sugar to the warm brown butter and stir thoroughly to combine. Set the mixture aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs: Once cooled, add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition to create a smooth batter.
  5. Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  6. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.
  7. Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing the batter.
  8. Fold in Apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples, then gently fold them into the batter, distributing them evenly.
  9. Bake the Blondies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
  10. Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar using a hand mixer on high speed for 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
  11. Add Flavorings to Cheesecake: Add ground cinnamon and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture, beating for another 1 minute to combine thoroughly.
  12. Whip Cream: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream using a mixer until stiff peaks form, indicating it is fully whipped.
  13. Fold Whipped Cream into Cheesecake: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula, mixing carefully to keep the mixture light and airy without deflating the whipped cream.
  14. Spread Cheesecake Layer: After the blondies have cooled completely, spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the top in a smooth layer.
  15. Chill and Set: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the cheesecake topping to firm up before slicing.
  16. Serve: Before serving, optionally dust with a little cinnamon, garnish with diced apples, or drizzle with caramel syrup for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps in the cheesecake topping.
  • Choose a firm apple variety like Gala or Honeycrisp to maintain texture after baking.
  • Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added to keep the blondies tender.
  • Allow blondies to cool completely before spreading cheesecake to prevent melting the topping.
  • Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight for best results and easier slicing.
  • Optional toppings like caramel drizzle or extra cinnamon add flavor but can be omitted.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://mysimpledish.com/apple-blondie-cheesecake-bars-recipe/